Valpo has to start fire territory process again

VALPARAISO | It's back to square one for the city's fire department in its effort to create a fire territory.

Valpo Fire Department to get confined space, hazmat training

VALPARAISO | About 60 members of the city's Fire Department will begin confined space and hazardous material training the week after the annual Popcorn Festival.

State law forcing Valpo to re-examine ethics ordinance

VALPARAISO | The City Council beat the July 1 deadline for passing the state-mandated language on nepotism. Now the city's Ethics Commission must decide what to do with the old city ethics ordinance.

EDITORIAL: Indiana law makes towns cry 'Uncle'

It says a lot about the state of local government in Indiana that local officials in some communities grumbled about being forced to comply with the nepotism and conflict-of-interest reforms forced on them by a new state law.

New anti-nepotism law may transform local government employment

INDIANAPOLIS | A new state law that took effect Sunday signals the end of Northwest Indiana's tradition of nepotism in local government jobs.

Valpo, township OK fire territory

VALPARAISO | It took three years of asking by Fire Chief David Nondorf, but the city and the township agreed Monday to create a fire territory to provide fire service to the two entities.

Valpo, township move closer to fire territory vote

VALPARAISO | The City Council and the Center Township Board will meet in joint session March 28 to take a final vote on creating a fire territory.

Valpo, Center Twp. to vote on fire territory March 28

VALPARAISO | To avoid laying off firefighters and keep the fire and ambulance protection at the current levels for Valparaiso and Center Township, the two are expected to approve a new fire territory March 28.

Valpo Fire Department to get funding help from township

VALPARAISO | The Center Township Board has tentatively agreed to help the Valparaiso Fire Department with extra funds this year and next.

Valpo gets a deal on a pumper truck

VALPARAISO | A casual conversation while dropping off an ambulance for repairs ended with Valparaiso getting a great deal on a slightly used fire truck.

Nepotism issue divides Valpo council, ethics panel

VALPARAISO | Concerned about the ongoing debate over nepotism in city government, the city's Ethics Commission chairman has called for an ethics education session with the council.

Ethics amendment gets tepid endorsement

VALPARAISO | The city's Ethics Commission made it clear the proposed amendment to the ethics ordinance on nepotism does clarify the issue it faced concerning Fire Chief David Nondorf, but the members also think nepotism is a bad idea.

Council awaits ethics panel input on amendment

VALPARAISO | Before it was even introduced at Monday's City Council meeting, the amendment to the ethics ordinance was tabled to await input from Valparaiso's Ethics Commission.

Nepotism amendment proposed for city ordinance

VALPARAISO | The final wording is being worked out by City Attorney Dave Hollenbeck, but an amendment to Valparaiso's ethics ordinance regarding nepotism is expected to be introduced at Monday's City Council meeting.

Valpo considers expanding nepotism waiver

VALPARAISO | Is what's good for the Police and Fire departments also good for other city departments?

Nondorf shouldn't have to step down over son's hiring

Valparaiso Fire Chief David Nondorf has done a superb job He should not have to step down to a lesser position in the Fire Department because his son scored high in qualifying tests, enabling his hiring into the Fire Department.

Valpo to consider exempting safety forces from nepotism rule

VALPARAISO | A Valparaiso City Council subcommittee thinks it has come up with compromise for the ethics ordinance dealing with the police and fire chiefs.

MARK KIESLING: Learning the hard way from our mistakes

"If a father can't do a favor for a son, what is the world coming to?" -- Attributed to the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.

Valpo council to consider changing ethics ordinance

VALPARAISO | The resignation of Fire Chief David Nondorf following the hiring of his son has prompted the City Council to discuss possible changes in the city's ethics ordinance.

EDITORIAL: Revisit Valpo's ethics ordinance

The Valparaiso Ethics Commission compounded the ethical conundrum facing the Valparaiso Fire Department by ruling Chief David Nondorf cannot remain chief now that his son has been hired by the department. That ruling should be put on hold and the ethics ordinance fixed.