GUEST COMMENTARY: Put Hammond's debt in proper perspective

Bill Dolan’s April 28 article (“Lake County municipal officials turn to lenders for urban amenities”), is a classic example of “you can make numbers say whatever you want them to.”

GUEST COMMENTARY: Downstate Republicans want Lake to implement tax

Bravo to Rich James for his April 10 column. James exposed the two Republican members of the Lake County Council (Eldon Strong and Republican County Chairman Dan Dernulc) for playing politics with the Local Option Income Tax.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Voicing opposition to Indiana Senate Bill 560

On behalf of the more than 80,000 Hammond residents and businesses whose households are almost all NIPSCO ratepayers, I would like to voice my opposition to Indiana Senate Bill 560. It unfairly shifts the risk and burden of capital investment onto ratepayers instead of on monopoly utilities …

Hammond continues to see new projects, developments

Hammond is off to a busy start to 2013. As its mayor, I am always happy to announce new projects and economic development in the city, and this year will be no exception.

Hammond Mayor McDermott recaps China trip

Hammond City Councilman Mark Kalwinksi, D-1st, climbs the Great Wall of China.

Hammond Mayor McDermott recaps China trip

Mayor Thomas McDermot Jr., center, stands with Ed Krusa, left, Hammond Water Works chief executive operator, and Joe Smith, an attorney with Faegre, Baker and Daniels, outside the former Olympics Games stadium the Bird's Nest in Beijing.

Hammond Mayor McDermott recaps China trip

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., far right, and Purdue University Calumet professor Pat Obi, second from left, stand with Chinese guards at the Great Wall of China. McDermott and a delegation of city officials traveled to China last month on an economic development trip.

MCDERMOTT: China arrival, trip to the Great Wall

We landed in Beijing on Sunday at around 4 p.m. after a 14 hour plane flight. The accommodations on the international flights impressed me, after all, the only time I have ever gone overseas was in my submarine. As you can imagine, the plane flight was faster, and less cramped. So I enjoyed …

GUEST COMMENTARY: Hammond can't justify cost of 4th aerial unit

Over the past few years, cities and towns in Indiana have made significant cuts in fire personnel because of the property tax caps that have been adopted: South Bend eliminated 49 positions and Kokomo 12 positions; Muncie laid off 32; and Logansport handed pink slips to 10. Closer to home, G…

GUEST COMMENTARY: Conservancy district offers local solutions

Anyone who is familiar with the news in Lake County knows full well the devastating impact the floods of 2008 had on the region. Since then, millions of dollars of state and federal money have been pumped into the Little Calumet River Basin Authority to finish a job that should have been don…

GUEST COMMENTARY: Cut through red tape for charter schools

Few people realize just how little influence mayors, including me, have when it comes to education. While the idea behind this formal separation (to keep politics out of the school system) is noble, it can be very frustrating for an executive who desires to improve schools but whose hands ar…

GUEST COMMENTARY: There's a lot going on in Hammond now

Let me begin by wishing you a happy, enjoyable and prosperous 2011!

GUEST COMMENTARY: College Bound making Hammond's future brighter

When I first proposed the College Bound Scholarship Program in early 2006, I did so because I believed the program would benefit Hammond residents by making education a priority, increasing home ownership and improving the quality of life within the city. After almost five years, I am happy …

GUEST COMMENTARY: Add NIPSCO to list of IURC cases to review

Last week, Gov. Mitch Daniels fired Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission Chairman David Hardy for the agency's blatant toleration of an obvious conflict of interest between the regulators (the IURC) and the utility industry (Duke Energy).

GUEST COMMENTARY: Caucus vote needed to be secure

I'm not one to get in the way of a company trying to sell newspapers, but when the media reports lies in order to sell papers, I have no choice but defend myself.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Here's how we'll choose the next Lake County clerk

On Dec. 19, the precinct committeepersons of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee will gather in the auditorium of the Lake County Government Complex to fill the vacancy and elect the next Lake County clerk.

Low tax collections are forcing deep cuts

Let me inform you of recent developments which affect Hammond's approved 2009 civil city budget. The Indiana Department of Local Government Finance confirmed last week news that property tax collections for 2009 will be below projected collection rates.

Hammond charter school is moving forward

This coming Wednesday, another positive step will be taken toward Hammond's future!

Hammond celebrates its diversity

Recently, Hammond held its fifth annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration at the Hammond Civic Center. This event once again, featured great food and live music in a family friendly environment. This event keeps growing from year to year and all who attend feel welcome and included.

My change of heart about busing

I believe the Regional Bus Authority is doing a good job with little resources to encourage regional busing for Lake and Porter counties.

Saltar hacia el verano

Por fin ya llegó la primavera y estoy seguro que muchos residentes del Noroeste de Indiana están esperando con anticipación un clima más caliente y más tiempo afuera, pero hasta el alcalde no puede controlar el clima.

In Indy, sports stadiums trump floodwalls

The culture in the Indiana General Assembly has sometimes been referred to an "us" versus "them" where the "us" is Indianapolis and the "them" is the rest of the state. Although there has been progress on some issues, the latest bailout proposal for Indianapolis by increasing our taxes has m…

Celebrating 125 years

Age they say, is relative. On April 21, 2009, the City of Hammond Indiana will turn 125 years old. It seems old unless you compare it with Rome which was founded in 753 B.C., Moscow founded 1147 A.D. or even in our corner of the world San Juan, P.R. founded in 1521 and Saint Augustine, Flori…

Celebrando 125 años

Dicen que la edad es relativa. El 21 de abril del 2009, la ciudad de Hammond Indiana cumplirá 125 años. Parece vieja a menos que la compares con Roma que fue fundada en el año 753 AC, Moscow fundado en 1147 AD o hasta en nuestra esquina del mundo San Juan, Puerto Rico fundado en 1521 y Sain…

Welcome home-bound

Well, I didn't need a groundhog to tell me winter is not yet done with the Region. Even Indianapolis was recently crippled by snowstorm that shut down the state capitol, but even with the winter weather, Hammond is still a great place to call home.

Home Bound de Hammond

Bueno, no necesité una marmota para decirme que el invierno aun no a terminado con la región. Hasta Indianápolis recientemente fue lisiado por la tormenta de nieve que clausuró el capitolio estatal, pero aun con el clima invernal, Hammond aun es un buen lugar para llamarle un hogar.

A new year full of new hope

The holiday season is over, the anticipation, the excitement, the planning the preparation, the food, the shopping, the gift wrapping, the parades and parties are all over. With the end of another year and the inevitable post Holiday quiet, its time to think back on the year that was 2008 w…

From a Flyover State, to a Swing State

A few years back, unless you were from "Da Region" not many people were familiar with, or even were aware of, our little corner of the world known as North West Indiana. Being so close to Chicago eclipsed us causing us to lose our Region identity. We watch the Chicago news, work in Chicago w…

Little Cal legislation would be waste of time

Now that we are in the recovery phase from the flood that has taken such a toll on many communities in our area, the focus has shifted to "how do we prevent this from happening again?" and "what could we have done differently to have prevented this from happening."

Excitement in the Mile High Air

During the week of August 25-August 28, I had front row tickets to an exciting new era in American History. I was fortunate enough to have been selected as one of the 85 Indiana Delegates (and one of the 4440 National Delegates) at the Democratic National Convention, held this year in Denver…

Hammond: NWI's entertainment hotspot

The lazy days of Summer have arrived, but if you live in Hammond Indiana, you certainly wouldn't notice it. This summer in Hammond, there is more to do than ever before.

Join Hammond in opposing NIPSCO rate hike

NIPSCO has filed a petition with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission in Indianapolis seeking an increase in the rates and services they charge customers. We don't know exactly what amount NIPSCO will seek; we will learn that in further filings from NIPSCO due in mid-August. Some specul…

Celebration of freedom and independence

Independence Day is so much a part of the fabric of America that everyone simply calls it the Fourth of July. No need to say what that means, everyone around here already knows. It means the celebration of America's independence and freedom, as well as wearing red white and blue, flags, fami…

Hillary, Hammond and History

What an exciting time to be Mayor.

Health Dept. shutdown left me battle-weary

After this rough and tumble battle to eliminate the Hammond Health Department, I have a new appreciation for elected officials brave enough to attempt to change the system.

Without casino money, Hammond would be hamstrung

The Feb. 14 editorial entitled, "Resist Temptation to Rely on Casino Money for Operations" argued that casino cities, like Hammond, should resist using casino revenue to fund the gap between the House Bill 1001 tax caps and the true cost of city government.

Election has left me sadder but wiser

First, I want to thank my supporters who showed up on Election Day to cast their ballots in a race many thought was already decided. Although most Lake County political pundits, including myself, thought the 2007 mayoral election was a predetermined win for my administration, the actual coun…

McDermott: Why I'm running for mayor of Hammond

October saw the grand opening of the new Hammond Cabela's store, and I must admit, even after having viewed the plans and watched it being built, I was still not prepared for what I felt when I watched the ribbon being cut and the doors opening. It was the culmination of years of cooperation…

Voice your support for consolidating health departments

Did you know only three cities in Indiana -- Hammond, Gary and East Chicago -- operate their own health department? It is no coincidence that these same three cities suffer from some of the highest tax rates in the state. It is time for Hammond government to cut the fat from the city budget,…

Hammond leads by example on government reform

One of my most difficult tasks as mayor is balancing the need for residents' services with the need for lower property taxes. I am confident the 2008 city budget I have proposed to the City Council strikes a good balance between these two goals.

Letter of apology to Tom Philpot

I knew I was in trouble Sunday morning when I woke up and Marissa angrily handed me the morning newspaper. She asked my why I called Tom Philpot a jerk in Mark Kiesling's column. Marissa gave me a disapproving look and told me that I sounded like a child in the column. After reading the colu…

Hometown Matters would ease property taxes

It's as predictable as the geese flying south for the winter: The mayor submits a proposed annual budget for following year, and the questions begin. Why is the budget so large? Where does all the money go? What can we do to ease the tax burden?

Hammond showing real signs of progress

Nowadays, politicians use the word "progress" so often, it has become somewhat cliche. But this past month in Hammond, three major announcements were made that, when put together, can only be described as real progress.

Major Moves proposal is major blunder

Imagine an investment opportunity where you were expected to make 90 percent of the investment, yet only reap 34 percent of the profit. Essentially, that is the "opportunity" being forced upon the citizens of Northwest Indiana by Gov. Mitch Daniels' Major Moves plan. This plan is a major int…

Anti-Cabela's ad deviated from ethical standards

As one would expect, and given the magnitude of the project, many comments, questions and issues have been raised about Hammond's desire to bring Cabela's Sporting Goods to our city. Debate can be a positive experience for those of us who serve the public and is a hallmark of our society, se…