When everyone works together, things get done

With each Spring comes the optimism of a new baseball season, gardens popping up and warmer weather. This year, Spring will also signal the start of several projects resulting from intergovernmental cooperation between the Town of Munster and the City of Hammond, Lake County, and the Little …

Looking back at 2012 with thanks, wishes and hopes

Looking back on 2012, we saw continued economic development in the Munster business district and improvements throughout the community. New restaurants, shops and offices are open on the north end of Calumet Avenue, all of them doing great business.

Help The Salvation Army "do the most good" this season

"Doing the most good" is the slogan of The Salvation Army, a goal the Army strives to achieve every day.

Methane gas and other projects proceed in Munster

After many years of planning, the Town of Munster is ready this month to turn the methane produced in the closed landfill, now Centennial Park, into a full-time energy generating operation.

Tax Increment Financing helps Munster move forward

The Town of Munster’s Tax Increment Financing District was established by the Town Council in 2006 and first-year revenues were $600,000 in 2007.

Thanks to Russ Snyder for 44 years of service to Munster

It is time for Russ Snyder to pass the baton to Munster’s new Hammond Sanitary Board member, Michael R. Hawkins.

The 411 on consolidated 911 dispatching

One topic hotter than the weather is the mandated move of all Lake County emergency service agencies to a consolidated 911 emergency dispatching system. Eighty-nine of Indiana's 92 Indiana counties must consolidate their emergency dispatching centers to no more than two by December 2014.

Summer fun has already started in Munster

Officially, summer starts Thursday. But we have gotten a jump on the fun in Munster.

Thanks go out to elected officials who served their communities well

These are always fun columns to write, to say thanks to people for their hard work for the community. The following people have served the public for many years, and while some have received press coverage for their accomplishments, the untold hours they spent serving their constituents is a…

Little Cal maintenance should be shared equally

The Indiana State Senate Committee on Local Government held a hearing Wednesday on House Bill 1264 the Little Cal funding bill.

Scholarship offered to Indiana's online university

One of the recent innovations in higher education is the increasing use of online classes. These are not the correspondence courses of yesteryear.

Thanks, wishes, and hopes as 2011 ends and a new year begins

In this last column of 2011, I want to say thanks, take a look back, start a wish list, and express some hopes for 2012.

Ring the bell this season to help others

I have the privilege of serving on the Lake County Salvation Army's Advisory Board and the Hammond - Munster Corps Advisory Council as chairperson. This year, our Honorary Chairperson for the Annual Red Kettle Campaign is Radley Robinson, community relations director for the Gary SouthShore …

An answer to a complex question about flood insurance

Residents have asked, "Why are certain properties in Highland and Hammond being removed from flood insurance requirements, and when will Munster be removed?"

We all must pay to maintain the Little Cal River watershed

In recent months the issue of how and who is going to maintain the Little Calumet River watershed has been a great deal of controversy.

Hey, what is going on in Munster these days?

This month I want to try to answer some of the questions that are asked about different things relating to the town of Munster.

Time for our fathers this Sunday

This Sunday we celebrate Father's Day. Like Mother's Day, it should not be thought of as a day invented to sell cards and other gifts. Rather it should be a time of reflection and thanks to all of those who have made a positive impact in our lives. Many of us have been blessed to have positi…

Spring is here and things are growing in Munster

I am looking out the window and finally looking at sunny skies. It has been a harsh winter - freezing temperatures for weeks on end and the third largest blizzard in the Chicago record book.

There will be a lot going on in 2011 and beyond

The saying goes in the Midwest there are two seasons, winter and construction.

Thanks, wishes and hopes for a good 2011

This is my last column of 2010; I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to some, start a wish list and express some hopes for 2011. The first thanks goes to all of you that have given me ideas for columns.

Give time, money to Salvation Army this season

Doing the most good is the slogan of the U.S. Salvation Army.

South Shore Arts hits a grand slam

This month I want to encourage you to experience a unique exhibit in the South Shore Arts Gallery at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road in Munster.

Thanks, Mrs. Brown, for a job well done

Today I want to say a public thank you to former Councilwoman Helen Beck Brown for her many years of service to the community of Munster.

Funding local government won't be as easy as 1, 2, 3

Indiana voters will go to the polls Nov. 2 and consider amending the Indiana Constitution. The question you'll be asked is: Do you want your residential property taxes limited to 1 percent of assessed value?

The ABCs of economic development

The ABCs of economic development really is spelled TIF, or tax increment financing.

37 years and counting in local government

In April of this year I started my 27th year as the Munster town manager and in September, I will complete my 37th year as a professional local government manager.