GRIFFITH | Ten people were expected at Thursday's meeting about removing Griffith from Calumet Township -- but more than 150 residents packed the Central Park's pavilion.
Griffith Town Councilman Rick Ryfa, R-3rd, wants to secede from the township or have Indiana's township form of government completely abolished. The meeting got the ball rolling on his petition to the state legislature to craft an appropriate law.
If successful, Griffith could save the $3.2 million it coughs up every year for poor relief in the township. Ryfa said he would love to see as many as 5,000 signatures sent downstate by Aug. 1.
Ryfa said the town gets very little in return for its contribution, and Clerk-Treasurer Ron Szafarczyk said only about 60 Griffith residents receive any aid.
The next session of the General Assembly is due in January, but Ryfa said Gov.Mitch Daniels is considering a special session about the state's property tax assessments.
"I believe we could have this (petition) included in the special session if we press hard enough," Ryfa said.
Ryfa said the Indiana House has 51 Democrats and 49 Republicans. If 49 Republicans vote for a bill to support the petition, one Democrat would be needed to break ranks and create a tie, he said.
Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita has the tie-breaking vote. "I've spoken with Todd Rokita, and he is very much in favor of this," Ryfa said.
If things stall at the state level, Ryfa said he will continue searching for other legal avenues to leave the township. This includes asking the Indiana Supreme Court to "correct the injustice being done to the town," he said.
Ryfa was very pleased that the residents took about 200 blank petition forms to gather signatures. "A lot of people wanted to take them to their neighbors, family and friends," he said.
Resident Liz Goral is one of the petition organizers. She told the audience it is time for the town to take its tax dollars back for its own benefit.
"The town ... is crumbling around us. Empty storefronts are the norm on Broad Street, and most streets are in dire need of repaving," she said.
Most of the Griffith Town Council attended the meeting in support of leaving the township or abolishing the township form of government.
"We would benefit from either one," said Greta Carroll, D-1st.
President Stan Dobosz, D-5th, said Ryfa once approached him about Griffith needing to leave the township.
"I told him to run with it, and run with it he did," Dobosz said.
