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Updated: May 1, 2011 10:55AM

Name: Kyle W. Allen Sr.

Hometown: Gary

Occupation: Lake County Highway Department.

Office sought: Gary City Council, at large; Democrat

Have you ever been elected to public office? Yes

If you’ve held public office, please list offices and dates:

Gary Common Council, Councilman at large, Jan. 1, 2000 - present.

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?

Salaries and/or personnel since they consume the largest share of resources any municipal budget.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?

I have a personal stake in my community as a taxpayer, parent and elected official. It’s not only my duty but responsibility to make it better. I have made a conscious decision as a community stakeholder to be apart of the solution and being pragmatic in my thought process.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?

Arriving at a decision by consensus not mandate, while keeping in mind that there has to be majority rule and minority rights.

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves?

By marketing Northwest Indiana as destination on key regional issues. (ex: Infrastructure, Tourism, Transportation, Economic Development, IUN, PUC and purchasing of government goods and services.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?

By providing a qualified workforce through education, public safety, reasonable taxation structure, infrastructure and transportation.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a national polarization among the electorate?

(They have been) ineffective from the standpoint that ideologues never get anything accomplished because they only see their point of view. Getting elected is one thing. Governance is another. They have a right to their opinion in a free and open society. They must realize that there is always room for dialogue. Not keeping lines of communication open is a disservice to their constituency and to the nation as a whole. You can always compromise on strategy but not on principal.

Should Lake County impose an income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?

Yes. Lake County should impose an income tax because all taxing units in Lake County have a frozen tax levy. (Except school corporations.) State government is unwilling to make an investment unless we are willing to invest in ourselves. Reliance on one major revenue stream to support the services that local government provides is not prudent or fiscally responsible. Diversification is always best.

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Name: Jim Nowacki

Home town: Chicago

Occupation: Retired

Office sought: Gary City Council, at large; Democrat

Social Media Link:

Facebook: Jim Nowacki At- Large

http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=jim%20nowacki%20at-large&init=quick&tas=0.9086852935914386&ref=ts#!/pages/Jim-Nowacki-at-Large/168572279859472

Have you ever been elected to public office?

No.

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?

I would cut all non-productive departments: Redevelopment, Community Development, City Court, Clerk, Mayor’s office, City Council, Health Department, all commissions, and effectively reduce the city budget to Public Safety and General Services.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?

I want the city to make the tough decision to recover and rebuild for the future. I know that the future success of Gary will depend on straight forward, commonsense leadership.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?

I would be a full-time councilman, serving all neighborhoods. I would fight for the needs of our city, regionally and statewide,

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves?

I would pursue making Gary a contributing partner in Northwest Indiana. I would oblige the city to high standards of transparency and accountability.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?

I would commit the region to a policy of low taxes and business-accommodating discipline.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a national polarization among the electorate?

Some are sincere and have made a positive contribution to national policy issues. Many have misused the genuine dissatisfaction of the members to get elected. The debate is beneficial.

Should Lake County impose an income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?

NO! Lake County taxpayers are overtaxed.

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Name: Alex Wheeler Jr.

Home town: Gary

Occupation: Deputy Trustee, Calumet Township

Office sought: Gary Councilman at large; Democrat

Website or other social media link:

Have you ever been elected to public office? Yes

If you’ve held public office, please list offices and dates:

Gary 1st District School Board Trustee 2004-2008

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?

The salary, benefit and staff comprise the largest cost for any local government and I’d look at personal service contracts for performance and effectiveness.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?

I’m running because I’m tired of seeing my community in this condition, and to promote caring and togetherness. I think I can raise the consciousness of this community and hopefully inspire citizens to take action to improve the quality of life, by cleaning the city and report crimes and code violations. In an effort to get back to sound basics and fundamentals to rebuild Gary.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?

To do what is fundamentally good for the city is the greatest service to the residents. By cleaning the city, rebuilding the infrastructures and providing a safe clean environment for recreation and growth.

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves?

The duplication of services must be reviewed to determine the most cost-effective method of servicing the citizenry regardless of the political boundary lines. Tourism and purchasing must be deemed regional goals, utilizing each neighborhoods natural and man made attributes.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?

The region must start with the basics; clean up, development of a sustainable budget and tax base. Everyone must work to train and educate our workforce, and rebuild our infrastructure. We must make the region attractive and conducive to business and recreational development.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a national polarization among the electorate?

Some of the issues raised by the Tea Party are very relevant and has focused attention on the federal debt, an ever expanding government and the federal bailouts. Placing those issues in the spotlight of public policy debates is good for the nation. But, some tea partiers’ position on immigration and issues regarding race has escalated polarizing an already fragile nation.

Should Lake County impose an income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?

If a County Option Income Tax is imposed with a clear purpose and guidelines, to be used to ensure that safety personnel remain adequate to provide service to the Lake County communities and/or provide financial means for unforeseen calamities which could endanger our health and safety then I say Yes – but not for more of the same!

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Name: Tony Walker

Home town: Gary

Occupation: Attorney

Office sought: Gary City Council, at large; Democrat

Website or other social media link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elect-TONY-WALKER-Leadership-Now-for-Garys-Future/116907081680123

Have you ever been elected to public office? No

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?

I would cut non-essential services. The city needs to refocus on the delivery of core services such as public safety, roads and lighting, and parks and recreation.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?

I am running for city council because I know I will make a significant positive impact. My 15 years advising and representing municipal agencies in Gary uniquely qualifies me to add immediate value to the Council. I understand how the city operates and know the workers. I also have relationships in the state and federal governments which may benefit Gary. Additionally, I bring a strong network of regional business leaders to the city’s leadership team. These contacts will be key in developing public-private partnerships around important initiatives.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?

I make no distinction between the best interests of the city and our residents. The city exists to support the residents’ quality of life.

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves?

Planning and economic development should be coordinated among political subdivisions within Gary as well as with municipalities outside of Gary. Gary should also identify services that we may more efficiently provide to other cities and towns and sell them to those neighboring areas as we presently do with water treatment.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?

To attract new investment, Gary must reduce crime, improve schools, and provide a transparent and business-friendly environment. The city could also partner with Indiana University Northwest to develop an entrepreneur center to promote small business growth.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a national polarization among the electorate?

I do not support their politics of division but do agree on the substance of some issues .

Should Lake County impose an income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?

Yes. The City of Gary cannot adequately provide core services to its residents in the short-term without it.

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Name: Mary L. Mulligan

Home town: Gulfport, Miss.

Occupation: Brownfields specialist

Office sought: Gary City Council at large

Website or other social media link: No

Have you ever been elected to public office? No

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?

I would make budget cuts to the General Fund appropriations for expenditures such as contractual services, leases, non-essential programs and services, and equipment.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?

I am running for public office because it is now time for me to step up and become part of the change that I want to see. The community has many challenges and how we as a community rise to meet these challenges are more important that ever before. I am prepared and ready to serve the community during these challenging times. My background and experience in Community Economic Development has afforded me the opportunity to understand many of the dynamics that work against the community and puts me in a position to help move the community forward. As a civic-minded person, I will be a voice for the people and a constant reminder that the decisions we make (today) must be in the best interest of the community. These decisions will be the foundation for the tomorrow we present and pass on to our youth.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?

I cannot look at serving the residents as being different from serving the city. The residents of the city elect those who represent them. With less financial resources to work with than ever before I realize some tough decisions must be made. In making those decisions, an assessment of the impact on the community (residents) must be made. The challenge will be on how to minimize the impacts to the community (residents) while doing what is in the best interest of the community (residents). I will seek all available options and information before taking any action.

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves?

There is a philosophy that says, “Think Globally, Act Locally”. The same philosophy is true for the region. While there are issues that should be worked on regionally and resources that can be shared regionally, no one elected to a local office should loose sight of the needs of their community and what it takes to meet those needs. To make regional efforts work we must remove the obstacles that prevent cooperation and collaboration such as disrespect, greed and racism. Many leaders in the region refuse to address these issues causing some regional efforts to be stifled and others to be resented.

However, there are many opportunities to work on regional efforts. An issue like public transportation should be worked on regionally. There are many services and employment opportunities outside the community where residents live. In order to get the services and/or employment they must get to the services and/or employment. As a region we need to ensure that residents can get to the places they need to go. Dependable regional public transportation is needed. Plus there are other benefits that come with using public transportation.

Another issue that can be worked on regionally is fire safety and protection. Cities with large fire departments can keep there staff in place by partnering with smaller communities in the region who are struggling to maintain fire safety and protection, or perhaps have no fire safety and protection outside of a volunteer fire department. As an essential service, larger cities could provide contractual fire safety and protection services to smaller communities.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?

There is a regional network of entities whose focus is to attract jobs to the region. In my opinion, Gary has not gained much benefit from these efforts. The state also works to attract businesses. However, the City of Gary must develop and implement an innovative local strategy to attract businesses and jobs. There are those who say businesses will not come because of crime and/or a poor education system. I say both of these reasons represent more excuses to continue the status quo. Gary should not have to wait for the region or the state to say the public safety and education issues have been fixed before supporting economic development in Gary. We must work on all of these at the same time. There will be less crime if we have more jobs. Gary has the infrastructure, a mature and ready workforce with many having college education, and more law-abiding residents than not. When Gary has more jobs, the region has more jobs. It’s time for Gary to get the support it needs to help us move forward. When Gary moves forward, the region moves forward.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a national polarization among the electorate?

It is my belief that the Tea Party, as we have seem thus far, is more about reversing advances made in programs and services to the poor, children and the elderly than about improving the quality of life for all citizens. There are also attacks on the working-class as it relates to collective bargaining and worker’s rights.

We have a federal government and elected officials who refuse to work together to make the best decisions for the nation. I believe that the Senators and Representatives we have sent to Washington, DC don’t respect each other and far too many of them treat the office they hold as business instead of service. I think there is greater polarization among the parties but also within the Republican Party.

Should Lake County impose an income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?

I support a county income tax. While it will initially represent another tax on those already tax-burdened, it will provide another source of revenue to support local government. In order to change things we have to do some new things that may be difficult in the beginning.

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Name: Robert L. Campbell
Hometown: Gary
Occupation: Retired laborer
Office sought: City of Gary Councilman at large; Democrat
Have you ever been elected to public office?
No

Limited only to the office you are seeking, where specifically would you cut budgets if needed?
I would look into each department and find out if the service it is providing is vital to the city. I would support the mayor in requesting a Forensic audit, and then we can take a better look at where we have spent money unwisely.

Why are you running for public office? Why do you think you can make a difference in your community?
I am tired of hearing negative things about Gary. I want to have a stronger role in making sure my grandchildren, and all of the families living in Gary get the services that they need. I have tried to be a role model for everyone I come in contact with. I will continue to serve by looking out for the best interest of the citizens, which is having a decent safe place to live.

How would you balance serving your residents with serving the best interests of your city?
I am running at large which would make me more vocal in all over the city. My vote on the council will always be for what benefits the whole city.

How can local cities and towns work together to improve the entire area, rather than just do what’s best for themselves.
The leaders from the area need to talk with each other to find out how to resolve some of their common problems.

How can more jobs be attracted to the region?
I would like to see the City of Gary advertise for companies to come to Gary. Most people are not aware of the precious commodities we have, such as our soon-to-be low property taxes, the beautiful beaches, the Dunes, and the best drinking water in the state. I would promote small businesses among the residents.

How do you view the work so far of the men and women elected to public office who have embraced the national Tea Party? Have they been effective or have they furthered a National polarization among the electorate?
The tea party hasn't shown to be effective because some of their members have not been respectful to all of the American people. I believe they started out with good intentions.

Should Lake County impose an Income tax, becoming the last of Indiana’s counties to do so? Why or why not?
No, we have been taxed enough. Some of our citizens are still struggling with the rise in our property taxes.