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Using another posters info, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr has some real issues he needs to explain to the public.
First why did the Hammond Police Department not share information with the public until six days later, two days after McDermott's State of the City address to release information about a woman being raped in north Hammond gas station? Politics over public safety. Sure looks that way.
"Mr Speed Racer - 16 hours ago
Doug, more of let them eat cake editorials from the Times. McDermott and his father were republicans. Tom Jr went to Stiglich, was granted permission to become a Democrat. Bobby Cantrell, the felon, introduced McDermott Jr to the political insiders and a gravy train ensued. Why Hammond? East Chicago was flat out broke, no tax base and casino revenues were redirected to Second City chewing up any available casino revenue.
Jr has given Hammond a bad name, with little regard to its residents and guest. How could the Times, along with McDermott ignore, fail to disclose to the public (by 6 days) a woman abduction (kidnapping) and sexual assault from a north Hammond gas station until after his State of the Union speech? You both placed Hammond residents, their family members and guest to this city at risk!
Why didn't this paper ask McDermott why his police department delayed disclosure of this information by six days?
And why hasn't the Times, held McDermott's feet to the fire on his reducing Hammond's Police force by 14 officers between 2008 and 2009, another six leaving in 2012, and failing to make good on his election year campaign promise to hire 20 cops?
Yes, McDermott has increased Hammond debt over the last decade to an unfathomable $101,000,000, despite a river of income from casino revenue in the rage $400,000,000? And, now Tom wants to spend more!
Not that it's bad enough to want to spend $1,400,000 on four pedestrian overpasses (to reward campaign contributors) nobody wants, Tom wants to give a $1 Billion a year corporation $3.5 million to replace the 3 year old road servicing Walmart, land I believe they already own.
In Tom's 2013 State of the City Address, so poorly covered by the Times, Tom said a 15% increase in the tax level will really not be felt by Hammond Residents as they are capped by the 1%, 2% & 3% property tax limit. The Time's coverage failed to mention, Tom has created artificial fees for services which were once paid for out of the General Revenue Fund, creating a double and triple taxation. Maybe this is why Hammond has 1,570+ properties which have been foreclosed on or in pre foreclosure status.
In Jr's state of the city address, he stated he eliminated the Health Department without any discernible change in service. Well most of Hammond's residents earn less than $35,000 a year. Those families are not surviving in this economy and for the most part don't have health care. Now they must go to Crown Point of immunizations and health care. Had it not been for the graces of Hammond's School City Superintendent, Watkins, opening clinics with in his school city, Hammond residents with school children would be without any resources.
Hispanic Affairs, have a part time person with no benefit, Tom can give his $90,000 a year with $30,000 a year in expense consultant a raise, despite this consultant's 3 other consulting contracts with the county.
As Hispanics make up somewhere near 35 to 40% of Hammond's population, how many Hispanic Department heads do you think Hammond has? None other than Sluggo Salinas who is going to Jail.
Human Rights Commission now has part time employees instead of full time, see the answer above and add then how come Hammond's assessment rate increased by 15%?
As to Sanitation , Recycling, Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement none are now paid through the General Fund. Tom created user fee added to Hammond property water bill to cover Sanitation and Recycling, a cost in addition to the property tax bill Hammond property owners now pay.
As to Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement, this Nortre Dame Law School Graduate can't see the unconstitutionality of landlords and contractors paying for the cost of the departments? Llandlords and contractors just don't subsidize the cost of business and homeowners, they wholly fund Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement. It is just a matter of time before the legislature or litigation overturns this city ordinance as the two tiered rental registration fee for in and out of town landlords was overturned.
See, what Tom is doing is adding additional taxes through fees on to the Hammond homeowner, reducing the cost of government and then spending it on the friends and family plan. Tom is the main reason why Hammond has so many vacant homes, increasing the tax and fee burden on the homeowner. Nice Job Tom!
What Tom did was to place blame on any increase in property taxes on cost associated with the Hammond Police Department! With 20 less cops on the force since 2008, How shallow. Tom even reduced their health care benefits.
Tom’s claim to have reduced the number of city employee’s, Tom’s hidden key personnel in the Water Department Budget, confirmed by the Indiana State Board of Account cited Hammond for hiding personnel in the Water Department Budget?
With all the cost saving steps Tom has taken, why hasn't Hammond's tax rate gone down? Why doesn't Hammond have some cash reserves? One thing is fact, Hammond has over $101,000,000 of unpaid debt and it is increasing.
Many believe it is because of Tom's family and friends plan, making their money on the backs of those $35,000 a year families.
Tom & the Times motto is let them eat cake as long as I get mine.
The real question is where is this money disappearing to? "
Over 10,000 Illinois plated cars are in Hammond, a little to late.
The only answer for the delay, informing from the public, for their safety, can be McDermott style politics.
If you check Times articles, McDermott has reduced Hammond's Police force 4 officers in 2008 and 9 officers in 2009, with an additional 6 retiring in 2012. With officers out sick, vacation time and on injury leave, Hammond can't cover all districts adequately. McDermott made a grand announcement during his 2011 campaign he was going to hire 20 officers. This has never materialized.
Then McDermott in a recent article blamed the city's bloated friends and family plan budget on Police Officers cost, not his out of control spending. One such example of his out of control spending is the cost of the Festival of the Lakes, $1,200,000 and another $300,000 missing in parking fees.
Pathetic, a mayor would put politics over public safety, but the pansy sure knows how to use city departments against his detractors.
The first public article appeared two days after Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr's State of the City address.
The only answer for the delay in informing the public for their safety can be McDermott style politics.
If you check Times articles, McDermott has reduced Hammond's Police force 4 officers in 2008 and 9 officers in 2009, with an additional six retiring in 2012. With officers out sick, vacation time and on injury leave, Hammond can't cover all districts adequately. McDermott made a grand announcement during his 2011 campaign he was going to hire 20 officers. This has never materialized.
Pathetic, a mayor would put politics over public safety, but the pansy sure knows how to use city departments against his detractors.
First why did the Hammond Police Department not share information with the public until six days later, two days after McDermott's State of the City address to release information about a woman being raped in north Hammond gas station? Politics over public safety. Sure looks that way.
"Mr Speed Racer - 16 hours ago
Doug, more of let them eat cake editorials from the Times. McDermott and his father were republicans. Tom Jr went to Stiglich, was granted permission to become a Democrat. Bobby Cantrell, the felon, introduced McDermott Jr to the political insiders and a gravy train ensued. Why Hammond? East Chicago was flat out broke, no tax base and casino revenues were redirected to Second City chewing up any available casino revenue.
Jr has given Hammond a bad name, with little regard to its residents and guest. How could the Times, along with McDermott ignore, fail to disclose to the public (by 6 days) a woman abduction (kidnapping) and sexual assault from a north Hammond gas station until after his State of the Union speech? You both placed Hammond residents, their family members and guest to this city at risk!
Why didn't this paper ask McDermott why his police department delayed disclosure of this information by six days?
And why hasn't the Times, held McDermott's feet to the fire on his reducing Hammond's Police force by 14 officers between 2008 and 2009, another six leaving in 2012, and failing to make good on his election year campaign promise to hire 20 cops?
Yes, McDermott has increased Hammond debt over the last decade to an unfathomable $101,000,000, despite a river of income from casino revenue in the rage $400,000,000? And, now Tom wants to spend more!
Not that it's bad enough to want to spend $1,400,000 on four pedestrian overpasses (to reward campaign contributors) nobody wants, Tom wants to give a $1 Billion a year corporation $3.5 million to replace the 3 year old road servicing Walmart, land I believe they already own.
In Tom's 2013 State of the City Address, so poorly covered by the Times, Tom said a 15% increase in the tax level will really not be felt by Hammond Residents as they are capped by the 1%, 2% & 3% property tax limit. The Time's coverage failed to mention, Tom has created artificial fees for services which were once paid for out of the General Revenue Fund, creating a double and triple taxation. Maybe this is why Hammond has 1,570+ properties which have been foreclosed on or in pre foreclosure status.
In Jr's state of the city address, he stated he eliminated the Health Department without any discernible change in service. Well most of Hammond's residents earn less than $35,000 a year. Those families are not surviving in this economy and for the most part don't have health care. Now they must go to Crown Point of immunizations and health care. Had it not been for the graces of Hammond's School City Superintendent, Watkins, opening clinics with in his school city, Hammond residents with school children would be without any resources.
Hispanic Affairs, have a part time person with no benefit, Tom can give his $90,000 a year with $30,000 a year in expense consultant a raise, despite this consultant's 3 other consulting contracts with the county.
As Hispanics make up somewhere near 35 to 40% of Hammond's population, how many Hispanic Department heads do you think Hammond has? None other than Sluggo Salinas who is going to Jail.
Human Rights Commission now has part time employees instead of full time, see the answer above and add then how come Hammond's assessment rate increased by 15%?
As to Sanitation , Recycling, Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement none are now paid through the General Fund. Tom created user fee added to Hammond property water bill to cover Sanitation and Recycling, a cost in addition to the property tax bill Hammond property owners now pay.
As to Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement, this Nortre Dame Law School Graduate can't see the unconstitutionality of landlords and contractors paying for the cost of the departments? Llandlords and contractors just don't subsidize the cost of business and homeowners, they wholly fund Building, Zoning and Code Enforcement. It is just a matter of time before the legislature or litigation overturns this city ordinance as the two tiered rental registration fee for in and out of town landlords was overturned.
See, what Tom is doing is adding additional taxes through fees on to the Hammond homeowner, reducing the cost of government and then spending it on the friends and family plan. Tom is the main reason why Hammond has so many vacant homes, increasing the tax and fee burden on the homeowner. Nice Job Tom!
What Tom did was to place blame on any increase in property taxes on cost associated with the Hammond Police Department! With 20 less cops on the force since 2008, How shallow. Tom even reduced their health care benefits.
Tom’s claim to have reduced the number of city employee’s, Tom’s hidden key personnel in the Water Department Budget, confirmed by the Indiana State Board of Account cited Hammond for hiding personnel in the Water Department Budget?
With all the cost saving steps Tom has taken, why hasn't Hammond's tax rate gone down? Why doesn't Hammond have some cash reserves? One thing is fact, Hammond has over $101,000,000 of unpaid debt and it is increasing.
Many believe it is because of Tom's family and friends plan, making their money on the backs of those $35,000 a year families.
Tom & the Times motto is let them eat cake as long as I get mine.
The real question is where is this money disappearing to? "
WTF, it ain't McDermott's out of control, unchecked spending the problem, it's of course the cost of Hammond Cops!
What a clown!
Really Tom? Can you please address how Hammond now has $101,000,000 of debt? And while you’re at it Tom, as the Times won’t ask you a complex two part question, how did Hammond get into this mess?
Early in Mayor Tom’s administration, Tom gave the city health care administration to a firm Sr. McDermott had interest in. Sr’s firm apparently couldn’t handle the complexities of managing the city employee’s health care plan and turned to back over to the city. This friends and family plan cost Hammond Tax Payers $1,600,000.
It has been widely reported, Sr was involved as a consultant in the Cabela’s land deal receiving $900,000 in property at the site. A road was proposed to save thousands from flooding by closing the Northcotte bridge. A bypass would be needed to be built to reach RT 41, through land, reported to be held in trust by Sr’s.
Some believe Tom nixed the plan, cutting through Sr’s commercial property, would have made it less valuable. Apparently Jr’s efforts didn’t help Sr, as a series of federal tax liens were placed on Sr totaling $1,650,000! And the question arises why Sr’s house has not been sold for back taxes?
McDermott used $300,000 of casino gaming revenue, gave this money to a Hammond non for profit to monitor a contract. The State Board of Account questioned McDermott why, how and want were the contracting provisions. McDermott refused to answer, but another McDermott got a $75,000 a year job with the Hammond non for profit.
Mayor McDermott said recently about Hammond government, "It's the kind of creativity we have to do because we're broke, and when you're broke, you got to get creative on how to make money.”
And who got Hammond broke? No one other than the Democratic Chairman himself. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. accomplish this feat, by himself. Tom spent Hammond into $101,000,000 of debt. Hammond is so broke, Tom went reached out to Porter county and borrowed $12,000,000 as Hammond didn’t have the credit rating.
Let's take a look at how Tom got us into this spot!
Tom’s leadership brought one of North America’s most profitable companies to Hammond, Potash. Tom gave Potash $10,000,000 for 8 jobs at a cost of $1,250,000 per job. Outstanding Mayor, Outstanding!
Tom seems to have money for his friends and family. Tom build 3 $1,300,000 baseball fields, used 3 months per year and under lock and key for 9 months, for what reason? To reward campaign contributors?
Tom you’ve spent $3,200,000 on College Bound, a program entering its 8th year, which was to bring an upsweep in home owners to Hammond, an utter failure. At the end of last year, CB had 460 participants with 60 graduates and Hammond is losing more and more residents to gangs, crime and its wonderful educational system! Outstanding Tom!
And Tom how about taking some responsibility with Hammond’s crime.
A major women’s golf tournament left Lost Marsh for Crown Point, because of Hammond’s crime rate. In 2008 and 2009 Tom reduced Hammond’s police force by 14 sworn officers, only to make a 2011 election campaign promise to hire 20 cops. Where are they Tom?
Tom seems to have money for consultants. One consultant has been received $90,000 a year, plus $30,000 for expenses, for several years, to lead the charge on programs like College Bound and the Charter School. Another privatized legal eagle in city hall makes $125,000 a year, using the city’s email address and resources to work on the city clock!
While we are speaking of the Charter School, Tom spent $35,000,000, as he believed, the Hammond School System wasted tax dollars. Tom wanting to control educational spending, so he built a Charter School. Allegations surround its construction, cost over runs and the contracts emanating from this construction. Built without a gym and a kitchen, questions have arisen how a family member of a substantial campaign contributor ($5,500), involved in the construction, started a catering business, to get the food service contract and another a job at the school? Makes you think the school was built without a kitchen for a reason, but I am sure it was pure coincidence!
By the way the Charter School's grade received by the State Board of Education has gone from a "D" to an "F" this year. The Charter School has the highest educational cost per student in the State, surpassing the School City. Even the Hammond School City is doing a better job educating Hammond children! Nearly $7,000,000 is being taken away from the School City to fund this Charter School's substandard performance. An Outstanding accomplishment Tom! Outstanding!
Hammond is so broke, McDermott wants to build 3 more $1,400,000 pedestrian bridges and in an attempt to justify their construction, he was drawing in the Hammond City School Superintendent. Sure, it is all about safety, and has nothing to do with rewarding campaign contributors. See, Hammond doesn’t have the money. You have got to ask, which campaign contributor is Tom working at rewarding this time?
And Tom, how about that Harrison Park project? Is it true, the company involved sorta walked away from the project? And was that because someone had a hand out? What did this cost the city?
Hammond is so broke, McDermott is giving, yes giving a non for profit controlled by him $400,000 to build not one $200,000 home, but two $200,000 homes in Hammond! A Valpo contractor received the nod to build the homes. Tom is so much about ethics and public disclosure for his image all over youtube, but you can’t find anything published on bids for this construction on line.
Tom is all about Hammond, so much about Hammond, he made the choice to have a Valparaiso contractor build the two $200,000 homes. Not one, not one Hammond contractor is willing, able or skilled to build two $200,000 homes, but Tom your using Hammond’s Casino money for this project! Shouldn’t this money be spent with Hammond contractors?
By the way, this non for profit organization has deed to approximately 12 properties which have not sold and they owe back taxes on them! Now if this was not Outstanding enough, aren't there about 300 homes in Hammond that have been abandoned? Couldn't they use $400,000 of rehab? Outstanding decision making Tom!
Yes, Hammond is so broke, Tom was concerned a 100 year old concrete slab had to come down in less than a month. The lowest bidder was somewhere around $120,000. Their time table in demolishing the slab would have taken a bit longer, so Tom followed the recommendations of the Valop engineer and $300,000 later another Valpo contractor got the nod to remove the slab. So much for using Hammond contractors. By the way Hammond tax payers paid for the removal of this slab on property owned by a Canadian Rail Road company. Outstanding Tom, just outstanding!
Some believe the construction of two $200,000 homes and the $300,000 slab removal, both to Valpo contractors, was part of a back room deal to have a Valpo State legislator push through favorable Lake County Income Tax proposal. Naw, that wouldn’t happen on Tom’s watch! Neither project in Hammond had one Hammond Contractor involved in the project, but the Valparaiso contractors got Hammond’s money, Why?
Yes, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr is talking about Hammond being broke, but yet one of Tom's closest allies, Michael Opinker, the man McDermott defended because Opinker appeared not to have the ability to defend himself against the Fire Department Union, leads Hammond's city council. Opinker used $32,000 of Casino Money one week before the 2011 elections to rent 79 dumpsters.
Those dumpsters bore the yellow and black colors similar to Opinker’s campaign signs. Did the 5th District really need 79 dumpsters on the street one week before the election or did Opinker convert Casino money to help him get elected? Opinker’s dumpster drive did so well in this clean up, not one dumpster was placed in the 5th district in 2012. If Hammond is so broke, should he be asking Opinker to write a personal check for the $32,000, of public money, using tax dollar to get himself re elected? Philpot went to jail taking $24,000 why is Opinker not criminally charged?
And if Hammond was so broke, why did Tom allow his Fire Chief Dave Hamm to pay a Deputy Chief, was it $26,000 in overtime when by contract it was illegal for the Deputy Chief to receive overtime? Outstanding Tom, just Outstanding when it comes to a supporter, but not so outstanding for the tax payer.
Tom frequently talks about how he reduced the number of city employees, but he fails to tell you that he moved several of his key staff to the Water Department Budget so their salaries wouldn't be as readily available.
Hammond is so broke, in the Black community he reduced Fire Department Staffing. Why didn't Tom reduce staffing in his fire district? Oh, maybe his dog might get stuck under the porch again. We can't have that happen!
And as we write this, Hammond, under the McDermott administration is experiencing several Federal and State Investigations. A senior citizens project was stopped by HUD’s Inspector General because of non compliance with Federal Statutes, $570,000 of money reportedly mis-spent. A Federal Investigation is ongoing on how a sitting city council person got a kick back for using the Dumpster program so contractors could use them without paying. Sluggo Salnia’s indictment receiving a $10,000 kick back from a tree cutting service involved in the East Chicago scandal of a few years ago. And are the Feds looking into a scandal involving a past Fire Chief, now a Lake County Council Member, having fire department promotional test without a required State Fire Marshal as a Proctor? The allegations include some of Tom’s politically connected friends, may have gotten the answers before the test!
So, Mayor McDermott before you point the finger at anyone else, you just might want to resign from the Mayor’s Office before you get indicted.
And much thanks to the Hammond Times for their keen reporting skills!
Really Tom? Can you please address how Hammond now has $101,000,000 of debt? And while you’re at it Tom, as the Times won’t ask you a complex two part question, how did Hammond get into this mess?
Early in Mayor Tom’s administration, Tom gave the city health care administration to a firm Sr. McDermott had interest in. Sr’s firm apparently couldn’t handle the complexities of managing the city employee’s health care plan and turned to back over to the city. This friends and family plan cost Hammond Tax Payers $1,600,000.
It has been widely reported, Sr was involved as a consultant in the Cabela’s land deal receiving $900,000 in property at the site. A road was proposed to save thousands from flooding by closing the Northcotte bridge. A bypass would be needed to be built to reach RT 41, through land, reported to be held in trust by Sr’s.
Some believe Tom nixed the plan, cutting through Sr’s commercial property, would have made it less valuable. Apparently Jr’s efforts didn’t help Sr, as a series of federal tax liens were placed on Sr totaling $1,650,000! And the question arises why Sr’s house has not been sold for back taxes?
McDermott used $300,000 of casino gaming revenue, gave this money to a Hammond non for profit to monitor a contract. The State Board of Account questioned McDermott why, how and want were the contracting provisions. McDermott refused to answer, but another McDermott got a $75,000 a year job with the Hammond non for profit.
Mayor McDermott said recently about Hammond government, "It's the kind of creativity we have to do because we're broke, and when you're broke, you got to get creative on how to make money.”
And who got Hammond broke? No one other than the Democratic Chairman himself. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. accomplish this feat, by himself. Tom spent Hammond into $101,000,000 of debt. Hammond is so broke, Tom went reached out to Porter county and borrowed $12,000,000 as Hammond didn’t have the credit rating.
Let's take a look at how Tom got us into this spot!
Tom’s leadership brought one of North America’s most profitable companies to Hammond, Potash. Tom gave Potash $10,000,000 for 8 jobs at a cost of $1,250,000 per job. Outstanding Mayor, Outstanding!
Tom seems to have money for his friends and family. Tom build 3 $1,300,000 baseball fields, used 3 months per year and under lock and key for 9 months, for what reason? To reward campaign contributors?
Tom you’ve spent $3,200,000 on College Bound, a program entering its 8th year, which was to bring an upsweep in home owners to Hammond, an utter failure. At the end of last year, CB had 460 participants with 60 graduates and Hammond is losing more and more residents to gangs, crime and its wonderful educational system! Outstanding Tom!
And Tom how about taking some responsibility with Hammond’s crime.
A major women’s golf tournament left Lost Marsh for Crown Point, because of Hammond’s crime rate. In 2008 and 2009 Tom reduced Hammond’s police force by 14 sworn officers, only to make a 2011 election campaign promise to hire 20 cops. Where are they Tom?
Tom seems to have money for consultants. One consultant has been received $90,000 a year, plus $30,000 for expenses, for several years, to lead the charge on programs like College Bound and the Charter School. Another privatized legal eagle in city hall makes $125,000 a year, using the city’s email address and resources to work on the city clock!
While we are speaking of the Charter School, Tom spent $35,000,000, as he believed, the Hammond School System wasted tax dollars. Tom wanting to control educational spending, so he built a Charter School. Allegations surround its construction, cost over runs and the contracts emanating from this construction. Built without a gym and a kitchen, questions have arisen how a family member of a substantial campaign contributor ($5,500), involved in the construction, started a catering business, to get the food service contract and another a job at the school? Makes you think the school was built without a kitchen for a reason, but I am sure it was pure coincidence!
By the way the Charter School's grade received by the State Board of Education has gone from a "D" to an "F" this year. The Charter School has the highest educational cost per student in the State, surpassing the School City. Even the Hammond School City is doing a better job educating Hammond children! Nearly $7,000,000 is being taken away from the School City to fund this Charter School's substandard performance. An Outstanding accomplishment Tom! Outstanding!
Hammond is so broke, McDermott wants to build 3 more $1,400,000 pedestrian bridges and in an attempt to justify their construction, he was drawing in the Hammond City School Superintendent. Sure, it is all about safety, and has nothing to do with rewarding campaign contributors. See, Hammond doesn’t have the money. You have got to ask, which campaign contributor is Tom working at rewarding this time?
And Tom, how about that Harrison Park project? Is it true, the company involved sorta walked away from the project? And was that because someone had a hand out? What did this cost the city?
Hammond is so broke, McDermott is giving, yes giving a non for profit controlled by him $400,000 to build not one $200,000 home, but two $200,000 homes in Hammond! A Valpo contractor received the nod to build the homes. Tom is so much about ethics and public disclosure for his image all over youtube, but you can’t find anything published on bids for this construction on line.
Tom is all about Hammond, so much about Hammond, he made the choice to have a Valparaiso contractor build the two $200,000 homes. Not one, not one Hammond contractor is willing, able or skilled to build two $200,000 homes, but Tom your using Hammond’s Casino money for this project! Shouldn’t this money be spent with Hammond contractors?
By the way, this non for profit organization has deed to approximately 12 properties which have not sold and they owe back taxes on them! Now if this was not Outstanding enough, aren't there about 300 homes in Hammond that have been abandoned? Couldn't they use $400,000 of rehab? Outstanding decision making Tom!
Yes, Hammond is so broke, Tom was concerned a 100 year old concrete slab had to come down in less than a month. The lowest bidder was somewhere around $120,000. Their time table in demolishing the slab would have taken a bit longer, so Tom followed the recommendations of the Valop engineer and $300,000 later another Valpo contractor got the nod to remove the slab. So much for using Hammond contractors. By the way Hammond tax payers paid for the removal of this slab on property owned by a Canadian Rail Road company. Outstanding Tom, just outstanding!
Some believe the construction of two $200,000 homes and the $300,000 slab removal, both to Valpo contractors, was part of a back room deal to have a Valpo State legislator push through favorable Lake County Income Tax proposal. Naw, that wouldn’t happen on Tom’s watch! Neither project in Hammond had one Hammond Contractor involved in the project, but the Valparaiso contractors got Hammond’s money, Why?
Yes, Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr is talking about Hammond being broke, but yet one of Tom's closest allies, Michael Opinker, the man McDermott defended because Opinker appeared not to have the ability to defend himself against the Fire Department Union, leads Hammond's city council. Opinker used $32,000 of Casino Money one week before the 2011 elections to rent 79 dumpsters.
Those dumpsters bore the yellow and black colors similar to Opinker’s campaign signs. Did the 5th District really need 79 dumpsters on the street one week before the election or did Opinker convert Casino money to help him get elected? Opinker’s dumpster drive did so well in this clean up, not one dumpster was placed in the 5th district in 2012. If Hammond is so broke, should he be asking Opinker to write a personal check for the $32,000, of public money, using tax dollar to get himself re elected? Philpot went to jail taking $24,000 why is Opinker not criminally charged?
And if Hammond was so broke, why did Tom allow his Fire Chief Dave Hamm to pay a Deputy Chief, was it $26,000 in overtime when by contract it was illegal for the Deputy Chief to receive overtime? Outstanding Tom, just Outstanding when it comes to a supporter, but not so outstanding for the tax payer.
Tom frequently talks about how he reduced the number of city employees, but he fails to tell you that he moved several of his key staff to the Water Department Budget so their salaries wouldn't be as readily available.
Hammond is so broke, in the Black community he reduced Fire Department Staffing. Why didn't Tom reduce staffing in his fire district? Oh, maybe his dog might get stuck under the porch again. We can't have that happen!
And as we write this, Hammond, under the McDermott administration is experiencing several Federal and State Investigations. A senior citizens project was stopped by HUD’s Inspector General because of non compliance with Federal Statutes, $570,000 of money reportedly mis-spent. A Federal Investigation is ongoing on how a sitting city council person got a kick back for using the Dumpster program so contractors could use them without paying. Sluggo Salnia’s indictment receiving a $10,000 kick back from a tree cutting service involved in the East Chicago scandal of a few years ago. And are the Feds looking into a scandal involving a past Fire Chief, now a Lake County Council Member, having fire department promotional test without a required State Fire Marshal as a Proctor? The allegations include some of Tom’s politically connected friends, may have gotten the answers before the test!
So, Mayor McDermott before you point the finger at anyone else, you just might want to resign from the Mayor’s Office before you get indicted.
And much thanks to the Hammond Times for their keen reporting skills!