12202011 - News Article - Williams named new Portage police chief

Williams named new Portage police chief
NWI Times
Dec 20, 2011
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/williams-named-new-portage-police-chief/article_d4b741f5-1b2f-5ebd-8427-b25d20b0d836.html
PORTAGE | Fifteen-year Portage police veteran Troy Williams was named Portage's next police chief Tuesday afternoon.

Mayor-elect James Snyder made the announcement to a gathering of more than 100 officers and others at the Portage Public Library. Williams, 41, who presently serves as the school resource officer, will take the reins of the 61-person department on Jan. 1.

"Everything that Troy has done, he's excelled," Snyder said of his choice. He added that the standing-room-only crowd in the meeting room was "an amazing sign of unity."

Snyder said 10 Portage police personnel applied for the chief's position. They were, he said, "great candidates, all qualified to lead."

Williams replaces Mark Becker. Becker, a former FBI agent, was not interviewed for the position after Snyder was elected mayor and resigned as chief effective Dec. 17.

In addition to his police work, Snyder said Williams is a "committed member of this community."

"Troy possesses the unique quality of having worked undercover where he brought criminals, drug dealers and gang members to justice, yet he has also protected our city's greatest resource, our youth in the Portage schools," Snyder said.

Williams, a father of two, is a lifelong Portage resident. He thanked his parents, John Williams and Michelle Connolly, former Portage chiefs and others who he said helped him along his way.

Williams said the department's focus will be to continue to ensure public safety, to continue to work with the schools, to continue to "aggressively enforce traffic laws," to establish neighborhood watches, work with senior citizens and develop relationships with various organizations.

He also said the department will "work to protect our citizens by identifying and arresting anyone involved in gang activity and drug trafficking."

Maj. John Johnston, Portage High School Marine Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor, also spoke during the news conference, saying Williams "is a guy who means not to do just a good job, but an outstanding job" and lauded him for his "tremendous perspective of our youth."

Troy Williams resume
- Graduated Portage High School in 1989
- Graduated from Indiana University Northwest with a degree in criminal justice in 2001
- Member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989 to 1995, serving in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm; received two Navy achievement medals, a good conduct medal and four letters of commendation
- Joined the Portage Police Department in 1996, serving two years with the Porter County Drug Task Force; member of the SWAT team
- School resource officer since 2006
- Named Indiana Police Officer of the Year in 2007; Portage Police Officer of the Year in 2006 and 2000; Portage Parks Department Volunteer of the year in 2006 and recipient of Portage Greater Chamber of Commerce "Putting Portage on the Map" award in 2006

12162011 - News Article - Snyder continues to make administrative appointments in Portage

Snyder continues to make administrative appointments in Portage

NWI Times

Dec 16, 2011 

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/snyder-continues-to-make-administrative-appointments-in-portage/article_80268b49-b790-5234-88c3-c97c88453c42.html

PORTAGE | Mayor-elect James Snyder continues to make appointments to his administration, announcing Friday the retention of two department heads and the return of two others.

Steve Charnetzky will return as street and sanitation department superintendent. Charnetzky served in the position for 16 years. He left the post in December 2007 after losing to Mayor Olga Velazquez in that year's May mayoral primary.

"Steve was there for 16 years and had done a good job. He has been most efficient in the role of superintendent," Snyder said about the appointment.

Charnetzky will replace street superintendent Chuck Haskell.

Also returning to the city will be Sherry Smolar as superintendent of the utility service department's billing office. Smolar served in that position under former Mayor Doug Olson. She is replacing Joan Sobczak.

"When she was at the water reclamation job, she did very good work," Snyder said of Smolar.

Snyder said he is retaining Utility Department Field Superintendent Bob Dixon and Fire Chief Tom Fieffer.

"I am very grateful to have all four of them agree to serve in my administration," Snyder said.

Snyder said no decisions have been made about police chief and parks department superintendent.

Previous appointments made by Snyder were A.J. Monroe as director of public works, Don Slawnikowski as utility department plant superintendent, Gregg Sobkowski as city attorney and Amanda Lakie as his administrative assistant.

12072011 - News Article - Portage Police Chief Becker resigns

Portage Police Chief Becker resigns

Post-Tribune (IN) 

December 7, 2011

http://infoweb.newsbank.com

PORTAGE — City Police Chief Mark Becker will resign his post effective Dec. 17. Last week, Becker was informed by Mayor-elect Jim Snyder that he will not be considered for the position in Snyder’s administration.

On Nov. 28, Snyder informed Becker he was starting to interview candidates for the chief position and Becker would not be granted an interview.

Becker submitted a letter of resignation to Mayor Olga Velazquez that will go into effect at midnight Dec. 17. Assistant Police Chief Larry Jolley will serve as interim chief for the rest of the year.

Becker became chief of police after 32 years at the FBI, including serving as an original member of the Gary Response Investigative Team.

In preparation for the selection of a new chief, Becker provided a summary of department activity over the past four years, including goals and accomplishments.

Becker thanked Velazquez for her leadership and for the opportunity to serve as chief.

“I thank you and those I worked with for all the support that I have received, and I wish the city of Portage continued success,” Becker said in a statement.

12072011 - News Article - Becker resigns top police post

Becker resigns top police post

NWI Times

Dec 07, 2011 

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/becker-resigns-top-police-post/article_9b6ac157-5954-5cd9-ba8f-c94e71007fc5.html

PORTAGE | What likely would have been a routine City Council meeting Tuesday night gave way to farewells.

In a letter read by Mayor Olga Velazquez, Police Chief Mark Becker announced he would resign his post effective Dec. 17.

Becker told Velazquez in the letter that incoming Mayor James Snyder had informed him Nov. 28 that Becker would not be a candidate for police chief in Snyder's administration.

Becker, a former FBI agent, was out of town Tuesday and did not attend the meeting. Assistant Chief Larry Jolley was appointed interim chief effective Dec. 17.

Tuesday likely was the final council meeting for Velazquez, longtime City Council members Ed Gottschling and Richard Turnak and one-term councilman Steve Sonaty. Gottschling and Turnak were defeated in the May primary, and Sonaty was defeated last month in the general election.

"I want to thank the residents and citizens," Velazquez said. "We accomplished some great things."

Velazquez, who presented plaques to outgoing councilmen and outgoing Clerk-Treasurer Donna Pappas, said the job as mayor has been "extremely rewarding." Velazquez defeated Pappas in the May mayoral primary.

Director of Public Works Craig Hendrix, who will not continue with the Snyder administration, also gave his goodbye.

"I'm really proud of what we've done and what this administration has done," he said.

Velazquez, who choked back tears, said, "I commend you for the dedication to this city. I thank you for the partnership. It has been wonderful."

Turnak, who served 20 years on the council, and Gottschling, who served 16 years, said their tenure and service to residents had been a privilege.

"Mayor Olga has done more for this city than we had done in a long, long time," said Turnak, adding he will be back.

"I may stop by once in a while because I'm a citizen now," he said.

12032011 - News Article - Portage mayor-elect Snyder begins forming administration

Portage mayor-elect begins forming administration

NWI Times

Dec 03, 2011 

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage/portage-mayor-elect-begins-forming-administration/article_729e1252-d326-5bdc-9853-7acc4cdbd26f.html

PORTAGE | With four weeks to go before taking office, Mayor-elect James Snyder is beginning to put his new administration in place.

There are some old names that will be returning to City Hall.

A.J. Monroe, who served as the city's planner under the Sammie Maletta and Doug Olson administrations, will remain to work with Snyder. The mayor-elect has chosen Monroe to serve as the city's director of public works, replacing Craig Hendrix.

"A.J. oversaw, from the planning side, some of the greatest expansion in the city of Portage. It is a privilege to have him," Snyder said.

Gregg Sobkowski, who serves on the Board of Works and as attorney for the Redevelopment Commission, was named as city attorney, replacing Ken Elwood. Sobkowski also served as city attorney for the Olson administration.

Amanda Lakie, Snyder's secretary at his mortgage business, will be Snyder's administrative assistant, replacing Norma Laboy.

Snyder said he also has decided to retain Don Slawnikowski as the plant division superintendent for the Utility Service Department.

Snyder said he has not made any other decisions concerning personnel but hopes to have his administration put in place by the time he takes office Jan. 1.

"My goal is not to make rash decisions but to make strategic decisions," he said, adding he is looking at a balance of "continuity and change" when making personnel decisions.

"We are also looking at the city budget and finding savings where we can. We are making sure we are fiscally sound next year," he said.

Snyder said he is working with a committee to choose a new police chief. Thus far, he said, he has received between six and nine applications for the position. Those applications have come from within the department's ranks. Police Chief Mark Becker is not among the applicants.

Snyder said he is looking at all other city departments but has not made any decisions.

"We are not going to trade quality for speed," Snyder said, adding that personnel changes will give him an opportunity to restructure City Hall.

"The first part is finding out who is going to be where. The second part is finding how to structure City Hall to be the most efficient and responsive to meet residents needs," he said.

He and his staff have adopted a motto — "Excellence and Efficiency" — for city employees for 2012, he said, and signs will be posted in City Hall and "every police car and firetruck" to remind employees of their responsibilities.