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Chicago Tribune
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Gary councilman announces bid for Indiana Democratic chair, joins former NWI State Senator
A Gary councilman announced his bid for chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, saying leadership needs to move away from identity politics. Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, announced his bid to the Post-Tribune Thursday morning. 'Will I win? I don't know, but I'm going to try,' Washington said. He joins former State Senator Karen Tallian, of Ogden Dunes, in the race. Tallian, who advocated for reproductive rights and the legalization of marijuana during her time in office, did not respond to multiple requests for comment Friday. Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl announced in December that he will not be seeking another term. He will serve as chair until his term ends March 15. 'I know how hard it can be to be a Democrat in Indiana, and over the past four years we have placed our party on a path to future success by protecting what we have and building new bases of support,' Schmuhl said in a December news release. In addition to Washington and Tallian, Allen County Democratic Party Chair Derek Camp and former Secretary of State and Attorney General candidate Destiny Wells have also announced they are vying for the position. Of the four people running, Washington said he's the only one who's currently an elected official. Washington told the Post-Tribune that the Democratic Party needs to change its direction to win statewide. 'We need to take identity politics out of this,' he said. 'We are going to continue to lose if we don't. We need to go back to the basics.' Washington wants the party to focus more on fair wages, housing, jobs and Medicare and Medicaid funding statewide. He also wants to address low voter turnout statewide and encourage other Democrats to create a better economic plan for voters to see. Making these changes will put Democrats statewide in a better position, Washington said Thursday. 'We need to be able to go toe-to-toe with the Republicans,' he said. 'If we have the right candidate, we can beat them. But we need change at the local and state levels.' Washington hopes that whoever wins the position sees the need for change within the party to win in Indiana. He believes voters need to see someone they believe in to continue voting Democrat. 'There needs to be change within the party,' Washington said. 'We need to have hard conversations.'
Chicago Tribune
12-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Gary Common Council approves grants and special revenues budgets for 2025
The Gary Common Council approved its first ordinance of 2025, which amended the initial grants and special revenues salary and operating budgets for the city. The ordinance passed unanimously. Seven members were present, with Councilwoman Mary Brown, D-3rd, absent. Vice President Lori Latham oversaw the meeting as acting president after former President Tai Adkins resigned following the Jan. 21 meeting to become Calumet Township trustee. A caucus for the council's Fourth District seat is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Calumet Township Multipurpose Center, 1900 W. 41st Ave. in Gary. City Controller Celita Green presented an overview of the budget proposal, including a general investigator position in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The full-time position was approved to pay $39,355 in 2024, and the city proposed the same salary for 2025. The city also asked for $11,938.18 in various categories for the EEOC, including workmen's and unemployment compensation. The budget also asks for a $39,685 salary for the supervisor investigator position for Gary's Fair Housing program. The requested salary is the same as 2024. Other categories, including workmen's and unemployment compensation, ask for $12,044.39. Council members unanimously amended the ordinance to withdraw two departments from the budget, choosing to vote on certain numbers at a later date. The Health and Human Services department asked for $70,000 for a full-time project manager position in the Opioid Settlement division. In 2024, the department had a part-time project officer position in the department, but it was not included in the 2025 budget. Latham had concerns about how the position would be paid after the grant funding runs out. 'There are probably massive cuts of federal funding and state funding coming to local governments in almost all areas,' Latham said. 'You may have to put someone who's currently working there in that position to just brace ourselves for (what could happen).' Veronica Collins-Ellis, executive director of the city's health department, told Latham that the funding is already confirmed. Latham still encouraged her to look within the health department for the position. Latham also asked for a program plan and a job description. Councilman Darren Washington, D-at large, asked if Green and Collins-Ellis could come to the next meeting with that information so the council could vote. The amendment also removed the vote on the warming and cooling center department's budget in the community development fund. Gary council members wanted a program plan for how the centers will be used. 'I think it's going to be critical that we see you all have a program plan … so that we have a bit more confidence that we're keeping everybody safe,' Latham said.
