THURM FERREE: Answers to readers' questions about columns

I know it's popular for many in the state to denigrate Lake County for its political past. Yes, I agree we have had several public officials convicted and imprisoned over the years for things done while in elected office, and I do not try to hide that.

So many of you who respond to my columns ask, instead of writing about the Republicans, would you write about Lake County? The Times has fine reporters who take care of that.

Second, why do I write about Gov. Mitch Daniels? I acknowledge Lake County and its problems. It's that the Lake County folks are not the titular head of this Hoosier state, visiting upon its residents some of the worst law possible. That will be reserved for a later column and the last I will write about Gov. Daniels.

The recent column about Daniels got me in excess of 50 replies, several of which had new names to call me. The total was 4-1 against what I wrote, but freedom of speech means expecting to hear the other side.

Let's look at Lake County and who is in the top seat in the cities. Tom McDermott Jr., of Hammond; Anthony Copeland, of East Chicago; Joe Stahura, of Whiting; Dave Uran, of Crown Point; Karen Freeman-Wilson, of Gary; Keith Soderqist, of Lake Station; and Brian Snedecor, of Hobart. It's a fine list of mayors with whom the people seem to be pleased, for the most part.

We also have several fine towns that do a great job. Do some have detractors in the group? Yes, it's the price sometimes of having elected officials.

They all have great things to tell about how their cities and towns are doing and what they believe is a bright future for those they serve.

They operate under a tax rate that can't be increased, being pushed by the governor and his administration to put in a 1 percent optional income tax and looking at severe cutbacks in service that people expect from their local officials. They seem to get the job done but not without criticism by some of their residents.

No one in the Daniels administration, the House or the Senate will stand up and say what they are doing is wrong, so it continues until he is gone. Whoever is the next governor will, I believe, right this wrong.

I wish that many of you who respond with criticism of my columns would send your emails along, although I know that many of you want to be anonymous. I understand and support your right to do that. You would be surprised at how many of you have thoughts that I believe would be worthy of more discussion, but without an email address it just won't happen.

Respond to my email address at the bottom of my columns, and perhaps we can strike up a conversation. I am a little behind, but I answer all who write. Calling names furthers nothing.

Again thanks for your response, and I will keep reading them.

Thurm Ferree, of Highland, is a former state senator who held other local political offices. The opinions are the writer's. Email Ferree at thurmferree@yahoo.com.