About Mark Kiesling

Mark Kiesling has been the general columnist for The Times since 2004 and previously covered crime, courts and politics in Lake County and Cook County since 1978.

He was named Indiana's best columnist at a large newspaper in 2004 and again in 2008.

He has worked at The Times since 1985, has contributed to two books on organized crime in Chicago and been a consultant on outlaw motorcycle gangs for The History Channel's "Gangland" series.

MARK KIESLING: Don't like the Lake County GOP? Then jump ship!

There is much sound and fury about Lake County GOP Chairwoman Kim Krull allegedly "falsifying" information about certain Republican candidates.

MARK KIESLING: Region comes up short again in state race

Four political figures from Northwest Indiana were on the short list for lieutenant governor on both the Democratic and Republican tickets.

MARK KIESLING: Athletics, arts are investment in kids' futures

The question is whether arts programs or athletic programs are more important to Valparaiso schools.

MARK KIESLING: Be outraged if you wish, but don't boycott

In my lengthy career, I have seen a number of people shot by police officers I have known personally.

MARK KIESLING: Hey, Jesse, where's the protest now?

It was kind of interesting to listen to the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. when he spoke in Gary earlier this week.

MARK KIESLING: Here's a bus solution that's a win-win effort

There are valid reasons to enact a Lake County income tax, but I am wary of how it's going to be spent.

MARK KIESLING: Time for state to butt out of basketball decisions

Most folks from Indiana are familiar with the 1954 story of how tiny Milan High beat powerhouse Muncie Central in the state basketball finals.

MARK KIESLING: Pros and cons exist in Raggs decision

I have conflicting feelings over the decision by the Lake County Board of Commissioners to keep Tramel Raggs as the board's special assistant.

MARK KIESLING: Lugar may have been victim of another's indiscretion

One of the things I think did in veteran U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar was that no one was quite sure where he lives.

MARK KIESLING: Election outcomes should result in interesting races

Neither age nor incumbency seemed to play a factor in Tuesday's political primary in Indiana.

MARK KIESLING: What a difference four years can make

Maybe I do not look like it, but I am a minority.

MARK KIESLING: Gary needs to speed up wetland development

Gary needs to get a handle on the schizophrenic nature of its environmental projects.

MARK KIESLING: Age just may be a factor in upcoming primaries

It's possible that people are tired of seeing the same old faces in government.

MARK KIESLING: Being an official means never having to say you quit

I am kind of wondering what it takes to remove a public official from his or her position.

MARK KIESLING: Mayor right to take a second look at airport contract

Maybe it's not business as usual in Gary any longer.

MARK KIESLING: Jokes are supposed to be funny, not threats

I am first in line to defend the freedom of speech because my job depends on it.

MARK KIESLING: Methinks Philpot doth protest too much

Lake County Coroner Tom Philpot is grasping at what might be the last straw.

MARK KIESLING: Cal City P.R. hiring needs council oversight

I am cautiously optimistic about the hiring of a politically connected public relations firm to represent Calumet City.

MARK KIESLING: Waste plant excuses starting to wear a little thin

It's time for Earl Powers to put up or shut up.

MARK KIESLING: Salinas, city part ways, and it's about time

Maybe there is more to this firing of Al Salinas than meets the eye.

MARK KIESLING: Please get the point before commenting

Sometimes I wonder if certain readers have trouble understanding the English language.

MARK KIESLING: Sheriff looking to boot officer, city councilman

Lake Station City Councilman Harry Pedroza Jr. is in danger of being fired from his job as a Lake County sheriff's police officer.

MARK KIESLING: Medal theft reaches a new low in thievery

Just when you think human nature has sunk to its nadir, someone comes along and surprises you with how low a person can go.

MARK KIESLING: Martin slaying case betrays double standard

I am not sure why, but apparently Trayvon Martin's life is of national importance.

MARK KIESLING: Gary school officials got to get their act together

Gary Community School Corp. officials need a little schooling themselves.

MARK KIESLING: Union is right, but it's also wrong

First off, let me go on the record as being against the new Indiana right-to-work law.

MARK KIESLING: Lugar cannot take Senate race for granted this time

It's a bit surprising that incumbent U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar, R-Ind., leads challenger Richard Mourdock by only 7 percent in a recent poll.

MARK KIESLING: Target criminals, not the guns

Ownership of so-called assault weapons is under review by the Illinois Supreme Court.

MARK KIESLING: High court pick should be based on merit. That's all.

I had really hoped we as a society had progressed to the point where we could get to a point where qualifications matter.

MARK KIESLING: District 215 joins fight against sagging pants

Apparently the crack epidemic has spread to Thornton Fractional High School District 215.

MARK KIESLING: A baffling, bifocal view of Hammond schools

Look, I know I can confuse easily, but the Hammond school system reports are baffling.

MARK KIESLING: Airport, village need to be open about expansion

Ignorance may be bliss at times, but this is not one of those times.

MARK KIESLING: Sagging pants proposal needs some support

Sagging pants are not just a look; they are a statement.

MARK KIESLING: Hobart's towing problem not going away soon

Maybe I've become too cynical, but I can't help but wonder if there is not more to this whole Hobart police towing deal than is being official…

MARK KIESLING: Race a nonissue in Porter County offcer's crashes

We as a society have to stop playing the race card as a defense unless there is hard evidence to back it up.

MARK KIESLING: PUC prof has worn out his welcome

The time has come for Purdue University Calumet to part ways with professor Maurice Eisenstein.

MARK KIESLING: Jackson pulls off landslide despite baggage, but why?

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. came into the primary election carrying as much baggage as Southwest Airlines but managed to pull off a landslide …

MARK KIESLING: New allegations contribute to sheriff's headache

It has been the week from hell for the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

MARK KIESLING: Little Cal vote a great display of bipartisanship

It was heartening to see the Republicans and Democrats in the Indiana Legislature agree on something controversial for the real benefit of the…

MARK KIESLING: McDermott may leave mayor's office for NIRPC top job

Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr. might resign that job, as well as his position as Lake County's Democratic Party chairman.

MARK KIESLING: Warden resigns, sheriff says the matter is closed

Lake County Jail Warden Jeff Kumorek resigned late Wednesday following allegations of improper behavior.

MARK KIESLING: Lake jail warden suspended, may face further action

The warden at Lake County Jail has been placed on sick leave by Sheriff John Buncich.

MARK KIESLING: Maurice, don't throw stones if you can't take them

Apparently Purdue University Calumet professor Maurice Eisenstein can dish it out but can't take it.

MARK KIESLING: Half a smoking ban better than none, I guess

Indiana is on the brink of enacting what is a somewhat toothless smoking ban that exempts bars and taverns.

MARK KIESLING: It's all right for county cops to investigate death of one of their own

The tragic loss of a Lake County correctional officer raises some questions as to how an investigation into her death should be properly handled.

MARK KIESLING: Hammond voting may show which way political winds are blowing

By Mark Kiesling

Voting in Lake County's largest Democratic organization resulted in a couple of surprises Monday night.

MARK KIESLING: State acts to defend individual rights

The Indiana House and Senate apparently understand something the state's Supreme Court does not.

MARK KIESLING: Non-incumbents need to stop whining and start campaigning

I am somewhat surprised that some Democratics candidates for office in the May primary are complaining about the behavior of party chief Tom M…

MARK KIESLING: When is a smoking ban not a smoking ban? Now

I'm hopeful the Indiana Legislature will choose the health of 100 percent of Hoosier employees over the "rights" of 22 percent of the populati…

MARK KIESLING: Scheub's first mate jumps ship, joins Dominguez

Like Bob Dylan says, you don't need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing.

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