10302007 - News Article - Candidates end forum with political potshots - Opponents criticize each other for election tactics

Candidates end forum with political potshots
Opponents criticize each other for election tactics
NWI Times
Oct 30, 2007
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/candidates-end-forum-with-political-potshots/article_d0c4befa-3e54-5033-b496-1230ef55d48f.html
PORTAGE | For the most part, until the end of the two-hour candidates forum Monday night, mayoral candidates here took subtle potshots at each other.

Then, in their closing statements at the end, candidates for the mayoral and council races took their gloves off.

Republican mayoral candidate James Snyder struck at the Portage Democrats for letting the state representative 10th District seat slip from the city's hands this past weekend. During a caucus, the seat, long held by a Portage resident, was won by Center Township resident Greg Simms.

"Portage has no representation within its borders. Valparaiso has two state reps., and (the city isn't) near our size," Snyder said, adding that leaves the next mayor with a "tough time" in working with the state to improve the city.

Democratic candidate Olga Velazquez spoke her piece, too.

Answering a question on city development, Velazquez said Snyder has "waffled," telling firefighters he'd support a building inspection fee on businesses to boost their revenues, while leaving that information out while addressing the local chamber of commerce.

But it was candidates for the City Council who, during their closing statements, echoed what many have called one of the dirtiest elections in the city's history.

Brendan Clancy, a Democrat unopposed for the 2nd District council seat, was the first to bring up the yard signs placed throughout the city this weekend by the newly formed political action committee Democrats Against Lake County Politics.

He called the signs "cowardly, fear mongering," and said they hinted at racism.

"Instead of worrying about Lake County politics, let's keep Portage politics out of the gutter," Clancy said to a round of applause.

Snyder answered back by denying those involved in putting up the signs were his supporters.

"We have run a positive campaign focused on the issues. I can't be responsible for the other party," he said, calling himself the "best chance for unity in the city."

Unopposed at-large council candidate Steve Sonaty, also a Democrat, turned to a group of high school government students in the audience and told them to take a lesson away from this year's election.

"If you do lose, lick your wounds, get back to it and support your opponent," he said referring to Steve Charnetzky, who lost to Velazquez in the May primary and later endorsed Snyder.

Unopposed at-large Democratic council candidate Sue Lynch said recent developments "appall me," adding that if those involved in the election don't set aside their hard feelings, Portage will not get the respect it deserves from surrounding communities.