INDIANAPOLIS | State Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, said Monday he plans to press ahead with legislation giving Gov. Mitch Daniels sole authority to remake the embattled Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission.
The panel, created two decades ago to build protective levees along a 24-mile stretch of river from Gary to the Illinois border, has taken the brunt of the blame for September flooding that damaged hundreds of region homes.
Soliday's legislation would replace the current 11-member board with five commissioners, all of whom would be appointed by the governor. But the proposal isn't sitting well with Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., who has told region legislators he wants to retain his power to appoint one commissioner.
"There will be plenty of opportunities for the locals to approach people, to state their case, but we won't have this, 'Well, some (community) got a nickel, so I ought to get a nickel,'" Soliday said of his proposal. "Our goal is to stop flooding people's homes and get this project done."
The commission estimates $13.5 million is needed from state or local sources to complete the long-delayed flood protection work. But two years ago, commission staff said they were just $6 million away from finishing the levees.
"Its a moving target. This must be how the greyhound feels at the dog track," Daniels said Friday. "But there's been reform of the Little Calumet commission that's in the process of happening, so I hope well finally get a number thats reliable and a plan for finishing."
The governor's proposed state budget recommends $2 million for the levees. But Soliday said his legislation could help convince state officials and legislative fiscal leaders that the levee commission is in good hands going forward.
The measure would stipulate that levee commissioners cannot hold another elected or appointed office and must meet minimum training qualifications. The governor currently makes six appointments to the panel, with local officials, including the mayors of Gary and Hammond, appointing the other five members.
