BILL MASTERSON JR.: Goodbye, NWI

The longer I stayed here, the more likely I thought I would never be saying goodbye, but I guess it goes to show that one never knows what the Lord has planned for us.

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.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Hats off to Valpo for a great season

When I first arrived in Northwest Indiana, I thought of Valparaiso University in terms of my thinking about the School of Mines in Rapid City, S.D. I am not sure 100 percent what all they do, but I know it is good stuff turning out good kids. That’s been changing since VU President Mark Heck…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Simple tax reform is needed

Like almost all Americans, I have watched the president and Congress argue and point fingers over who is protecting whom. What has been particularly disturbing to me is how the White House has pointed at the “entitled 2 percent’ers,” claiming they need to pay their fare share.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Change brings opportunity with Boys & Girls Clubs

Something many people know in Lake County but not in Porter County is that long-time CEO and Executive Director Lincoln Ellis is leaving the Lake county Boys & Girls Clubs to pursue other interests.

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Personal commitments take Tolleston project to $5.3 million

Personal commitments have taken the Tolleston Boys & Girls Club capital campaign to $5.3 million!

PUBLISHER'S LETTER: Mentors support and sustain high achievers in the Class of 2012 and beyond

You probably have noticed we don’t start soliciting nominations for our annual 20 Under 40 awards until summer, but that doesn’t mean good candidates don’t come to our attention on a regular basis throughout the year. What is surprising is the super-achievers who maintain a low profile: Peop…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: President needs to show America’s resolve

In this political season we have the Republicans saying if they were in charge the anti-American attacks in the Mideast would not be happening. That may or may not be true, but the one thing I know is that enough is enough!

BILL MASTERSON JR.: The price of information is going up

It struck me the other day when I was answering an email from someone questioning why he should be expected to pay more for his subscription while, as a company, The Times is donating $100,000 to help develop a new Boys & Girls Club at the former Tolleston School in Gary. To clarify, we …

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Tolleston project eclipses $5 million mark with help from banks

The capital campaign to develop the former Tolleston School in Gary as the new home for the Boys & Girls Club has eclipsed the $5 million mark with a $50,000 commitment from Peoples Bank, a $35,000 commitment from Centier Bank and a $10,000 check from Horizon Bank. This brings the campai…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Anonymous donor, Horseshoe add $175,000 support for Tolleston Project

The capital campaign with funds dedicated to the Boys and Girls Club’s “Tolleston Project” in Gary  has eclipsed $4.9 million with a donor wishing to be known as “Anonymous” committing $100,000 to the project and Horseshoe Casino, through its Caesars Foundation, presenting a check to the clu…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Another $200,000 to Boys & Girls Club

Putting their money where their mouth is, Tolleston Boys & Girls Club project co-chairman Wil Davis, owner of the Gary Jet Center, committed $50,000 to the capital campaign, while The Times Media Co. added $100,000 and capital campaign member attorney Kenneth J. Allen added $50,000. That…

PUBLISHER NOTES

Looking over the roster of business leaders that are on our list this issue, I couldn't help but notice the mix of well-known and lesser-known names as well as the diversity in ages, cultural background and gender. Learning about our top professionals impressed me even more with the flexibil…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Be careful what you ask for

There is a movement afoot to make the Valparaiso School Board an elected board. This is a position that has long been supported by this newspaper and will continue to be supported. Why? Because it is taxpayers' money and they should have the right to elect who they want to be the steward of …

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Lake County Sheriff's Dept. jumps in to help Tolleston

You might have seen some pictures in Tuesday's paper of inmates volunteering at the future site of the John W. Anderson Boys & Girls Club in Gary's Tolleston area.

BILL MASTERSON JR: Gary jumps in to help make Tolleston a reality

Even before Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson took office, she was setting her sights on how she could help the Tolleston project, renovating the vacant school for a new Gary Boys and Girls Club. At 9 a.m. Dec. 29, while most everyone else was enjoying the holiday season, I met with then Mayor…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: And NIPSCO makes $4 million

Last Friday afternoon, surrounded by dozens of kids, Mike Finissi, chief operating officer of NIPSCO, announced NIPSCO is matching the John W Anderson Foundation and the Dean and Barbara White Foundation each in donating $1 million to the capital campaign for development of a new Boys and Gi…

PUBLISHER NOTES

We all know people with successful careers and we know that it is not automatic that their lives are successful too. Often success in life is achieved by giving back. The dedicated leaders we honor each year in our Business & Industry Hall of Fame have not only reached the top of their p…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: One Region, One Vision initiative continues to grow

As we now move into our fifth year of providing an annual progress edition, the One Region, One Vision initiative has continued to evolve from the modest challenge to a movement being embraced on so many levels by many different people and organizations.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Teamwork, cooperation alive and well in region

I am sure many of you saw the A1 story on the Tolleston Middle School cleanup this weekend, but unless you were there I'm not sure anyone can really appreciate the dynamics and wonderful chemistry that has been created.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: It takes a village in Gary

"It takes a village." That is how Lisa Daugherty, advertising director and Crown Point general manager for The Times, discussed the popularity of our mostly unknown yet extremely popular community websites we are developing on nwi.com. Her point is we have so many cool things that not only t…

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Get out and enjoy area's Christmas activities

Chicago McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a can't miss! But that's just the start.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Driving the Volt was a charge!

I was a little apprehensive when Dan Brubaker, general manager of Team Chevrolet from Valparaiso, called to ask if I would like to test drive the new Chevrolet Volt. Like other Northwest Indiana Chevy dealers, Team received one of the electric Volts.

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

Things have changed quite a bit since Julie and I came to Northwest Indiana almost six years ago. But the biggest change has come in how we view the area and our relationship with the people in Northwest Indiana. That came in an unexpected smack in the face the other day as the publisher's j…

THE RIGHT STUFF IN NORTHWEST INDIANA

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PREPARING FOR JOBS OF THE FUTURE

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Be happy that FBI agents are protecting us

It was late last fall when Ivy Tech Community College Chancellor Guadalupe Valtierra nominated me to attend the FBI Citizens Academy, encouraging me to fill out the application. I wasn't sure what it was about, but being the forensic files/criminal minds type of person, I was interested and …

Bargain hunters find 'treasures' at Times Garage Sale

A line of early bird shoppers can't wait to get through the doors and get their hands on the best items last year at The Times Media Co.'s Ultimate Garage Sale at the Porter County Expo Center.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Tit-for-tat politics have got to go

How many of our legislators ran on this platform: "I am going to try and ram my party's agenda down the other party's throat regardless of whether it is good for the state or the country? I promise to not work with the other side, and if I can't get my way I will run off, shirking the respon…

Bill Masterson Jr.: What it takes to climb a mountain: A strong commitment and a lot of faith

If you are a regular reader of The Times you probably know about the challenge I was given four years ago by State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, and the One Region, One Vision initiative that resulted from that meeting.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Ask everyone to help find ways to cut costs

I am not sure if I'm a Rahm Emanuel fan or not, but I certainly agree with a comment he makes in one of his campaign television commercials.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: New tech will reboot Calumet High School

We all are quite familiar with the challenges schools have these days. Money, program cuts and our students ill prepared for the next phase of life in a new world paints a grim picture with not a lot of options.

Resolve, resilience and restoration are watchwords in 2010

The necessity and payoff of cooperation, persistence and hard work in Northwest Indiana has been nothing less than courageous this year. Though the rest of the state suffered mightily, pockets of our region fared slightly better.

BILL MASTERSON JR.: NWI constituents must take stand against Bauer

Gov. Mitch Daniels offended and irritated a lot of people in Northwest Indiana last year with the comment, "People in Northwest Indiana are entitled to all the corrupt government they are willing to pay for."

BILL MASTERSON JR.: Fallout from fire is still affecting production

Late paper again?

Nita has big shoes to fill with Mazer's departure

They say some of the most profound changes go unnoticed for years until people have a chance to reflect on what was and what is.

Gutting Gary's blight: Send in National Guard

In my nearly three years here, I have heard people talk about our drug problem, crime and Gary's poor economy on almost a daily basis. These conversations always include people complaining nothing is going to change unless "X" happens.

They go to work, with purpose, every single day

If you are a regular reader of The Times, you already know our editorial policy. This newspaper is very supportive of economic development and the two components that unite and ignite progress in local commerce -- education and good government.

Bill Masterson Jr.: Signposts of greatness on the horizon

It was November but the breeze was gentle and warm,

It's time to talk of unity

Maybe the time is right?

Post claims damage newspaper's credibility

I have always believed newspapers do not need to worry about readership as long as they have their credibility.

Thank you to Gary's finest and SkyValue Airlines

When a citizen of Northwest Indiana wants to make a point or offer a compliment, they often use the "letters to the editor" pages in The Times. But what happens when an employee of The Times wants to do the same? That's the question I posed to Executive Editor Bill Nangle.