Three trying unseat Scott in Gary’s 6th district race

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Updated: May 2, 2011 4:45PM

GARY— Glen Park makes up the city’s sixth district, from blocks anchored by large, relatively opulent houses to abandoned houses pockmarking the city’s southernmost reaches.

It’s also the home of City Council President Ronier Scott, who is trying to hold on to his seat despite complaints from opponents he is out of touch.

Scott and opponent Stanley Fields did not return calls seeking comment.

Gary Police Sgt. Anthony Titus and Jeff Wilson, a minister and consultant, spoke openly about the hopes and troubles of the district.

“What I’m experiencing, what I’m getting from citizens is they feel they haven’t been represented, and we’re fed up,” said Titus, a 19-year veteran of the police department. “A lot of people think elected officials go to City Hall and forget about them, but I say if you elect me, I expect you to hold me accountable.”

That sense of responsiveness is just as important as fighting crime and clearing away abandoned buildings that invite trouble, Titus said. He also declined to offer specific plans, adding he didn’t want to be another politician making promises.

“As a councilman, I’d bring transparency, where citizens know what’s going on and feel better about their city, full cooperation with citizens and pure service,” Titus said. “An elected official is a servant, point blank, and often we miss that point.”

Crime and cleaning up neighborhoods are still critical issues, said Wilson from his Morningside home, and so is helping residents feel City Hall hasn’t forgotten them.

“I wanted to get involved in the political process because I didn’t like what I was seeing,” Wilson said. “You don’t see any improvements in this area, and the crime has gotten out of hand.

“But, I want to prove a point you can make a safe community anywhere in Gary.”

Part of that sense of confidence is establishing neighborhood watch programs throughout the city and getting residents to feel better about their surroundings, Wilson said, adding he wants more neighborhoods to become historic preservation areas.

Wilson said he also wants answers about “for sale” signs and plans for Junedale Park, which once was the site of a Little League World Series. A city official said an Illinois businessman owns half of the park’s acreage and the city owns the other four acres.

“I’ve never been just about Morningside ever, but I didn’t see anyone else doing anything,” he said. “I made the decision that I can do it better than our current councilman. It’s not about being in the (council) seat over years. It’s about being capable of doing the job and doing it right.”