MERRILLVILLE | Christine Berry and Talmadge Porter live across the street from each other in their carefully tended Crescent Lake subdivision homes.
But their reaction is miles apart in regard to news David Uzelac, their longtime, 4th Ward Democratic councilman, won't be allowed to run for another term in the May 8 primary following a Lake County judge's ruling Wednesday.
"I'm really happy he's out," Porter said, seated in a lawn chair outside his home.
Past controversy has finally caught up with him, said Porter, a 28-year Merrillville resident.
Porter cited the $83,400 bonus Uzelac received as an Independence Hill Conservancy District project manager that he was ordered to pay back by the State Board of Accounts.
"It goes with the territory. I'm not sorry," he said.
Across the street, in her cozy kitchen, Christine Berry's face lit up when talking about Uzelac and all the good things he has done for her family and those in her subdivision.
Berry said she doesn't follow politics and doesn't care about his past.
But it was Uzelac's past -- particularly the 1984 theft of cash from the former Captain D's restaurant on U.S. 30 in Merrillville -- that cost him his bid to run for another term, Lake Circuit Judge Lorenzo Arredondo ruled Wednesday. The ruling was a culmination of controversies that have followed Uzelac throughout his political career, including a 1999 sexual harassment complaint that cost the town $15,000 in an out-of-court settlement.
Arredondo based his decision, which resulted from a challenge by Uzelac opponent Tom Goralczyk, on a 2005 state law. That law disallows anyone with a past felony conviction, even if later reduced to a misdemeanor, to run for office.
It's a decision that Uzelac, who couldn't be reached for comment for the second day in a row Thursday, has 30 days to appeal, Uzelac's attorney, Michael Bosch said.
"Even if he does appeal, it won't be able to impact this election," Bosch said.
Uzelac, 43, who has served on the Merrillville Town Council since 1998, pleaded guilty to the Jan. 30, 1984, theft of cash from the former Captain D's.
He was one of three young adults, including Theresa Peterson and Philip Brant, who on Oct. 17, 1984, were indicted by a grand jury in the incident, police and court documents indicate.
Peterson testified before the grand jury that year that she was employed at the restaurant and had entered it to get a pickle bucket for gas her group had siphoned from another vehicle.
She testified she was followed into the restaurant by two companions, Uzelac and Brant.
Peterson and Brant both testified it was Uzelac who was the ringleader in the burglary. They claimed Uzelac removed the cash register drawers out of a safe.
Both also testified Uzelac had a knife in his hand at the time of the burglary, with Peterson stating she felt he might have done bodily harm to her if she refused to do what he demanded.
Both also testified that Uzelac later smashed open the drawers dividing up the stolen cash, approximately $300, but keeping the largest amount for himself.
BREAKOUT:
David Uzelac timeline:
Oct. 17, 1984 -- Uzelac, along with two other individuals, is indicted by a Lake County grand jury for burglarizing the former Captain D's restaurant on U.S. 30.
Feb. 17, 1995 -- Uzelac wins a seat on the Independence Hill Conservancy District board, his first political office.
Nov. 16, 1998 -- Uzelac is sworn in as town councilman in the 4th Ward.
December 1999 -- Town code enforcement officer Cindy Ruff files a sexual harassment complaint against the town and Uzelac alleging he inappropriately touched her. The suit later was settled out of court with the town paying her $15,000.
Jan. 21, 2001 -- Uzelac is named Town Council president.
May 4, 2004 -- State Rep. Chet Dobis defeats by a 2-1 margin a challenge by Uzelac in the 13th District state representative race.
