GUEST COMMENTARY: Ethics in government is not an oxymoron

Indictments, convictions, prison sentences. Is this all there is to local government in Northwest Indiana?

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Time to name a few names

As you have probably seen in the paper the past few weeks, the Tolleston project (which is remodeling the old Tolleston building into a new Boys & Girls Club) is well underway and should be open for business in October.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Ethics training pays off, but doesn't cost much

What has the Shared Ethics Advisory Commission done lately? Quite a lot but never enough. The commission is composed of seven member communities -- Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Highland, Munster, Schererville and Whiting. We are a nice mix of urban and suburban, large and small. We welco…

Will Philpot's fate keep other pols on the straight and narrow?

CROWN POINT | An advocate for ethics training for local government employees said it will take more than the downfall of former Lake County Clerk Thomas Philpot to scare other potentially corrupt public officials straight.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Obama's immigration policy is right on target

Immigration — always an emotional issue — is back on the front burner with President Barack Obama’s recent announcement of a partial change in federal policy. The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Arizona’s “show your papers” law will no doubt further inflame passions.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Government should borrow more to build stronger economy

Everyone agrees, so it must be right -- we have to lower the federal deficit and national debt. Can everyone be wrong? Well, yes and no.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Shareholders are taking charge

The media have been flooded with campaign ads focused on state and federal elections. These elections are, of course, important, but there is another series of elections that impact almost all of us -- the annual elections for boards of directors of major American companies.

Lake County officials join the ethics movement

CROWN POINT | Lake County commissioners voted Wednesday to enlist county government in the public ethics movement.

GUEST COMMENTARY: If you can afford it, buy some economic recovery

Oh, what are we to do? Unemployment is high and doesn't seem to be going down. Many additional people are underemployed, working only part time. Still others have given up altogether.

Lake officials and cafeteria operator share a nourishing relationship

CROWN POINT | An ethics advocate suggests Lake County officials should debate the potential conflicts of interest that can occur when elected officials employ government vendors in the political arena.

Valpo ethics panel weighs training options

VALPARAISO | The city's Ethics Commission is determined to get ethics training for itself and for city employees, but first it has to decide the best way to do that.

Education key to ethics in local government

Calvin Bellamy does not believe a long list of do's and don'ts is the answer to maintaining a high level of ethics in local government.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Ethics in local government needed, available

Ethics in local government is not an oxymoron. In fact, the vast majority of municipal employees want to do the right thing and are proud of the service they render. However, the devil is always in the details.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Jenkins' persistent message must be continually told

There is no shortage of role models from the worlds of sports, entertainment, business, government and religious life. But too many of today's "heroes" teach a false way of living.