02232017 - News Article - Portage council dissolves utility board; limits mayoral appointment

Portage council dissolves utility board; limits mayoral appointment
NWI Times
February 23, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-council-dissolves-utility-board-limits-mayoral-appointment/article_31e7a47d-4e62-5023-b1fb-c9f37423ef11.html

PORTAGE — In a quick meeting the City Council dissolved the Utility Services Board, restored the mayor's salary and limited the mayor's ability to appoint department heads.

The only discussion was on an ordinance which was approved 5-1 that would prevent Mayor James Snyder from taking an employee out of the Police or Fire departments and appointing them to an administrative position.

Councilman John Cannon voted no and Councilman Collin Czilli abstained because his parents are city employees

Joe Calhoun, who resigned last week as director of administration and emergency services, was officially an employee of the Fire Department while he served as the mayor's second in command. Joe Mokol, director of road safety and street superintendent, is officially an employee of the Police Department. Both received salaries and benefits from those departments while serving in the administration.

City Council President Mark Oprisko said Calhoun's resignation prompted the City Council to propose the ordinance.

Council members Sue Lynch, Liz Modesto and Scott Williams all said they supported the decision with Lynch and Modesto saying they had questioned the legality of Calhoun's and Mokol's appointments from the beginning.

Snyder defended his choices to appoint both Calhoun and Mokol to the administrative positions, saying he thought both had done good jobs. He also accused the council of misdirecting their issues with him on department heads.

"The fire directed at me is now being directed at the department heads," said Snyder who would not comment after the meeting on whether or not he intended to veto the ordinance. He also requested the council to grandfather Mokol into his position. The council did not amend the ordinance.

If the new ordinance stands, Mokol, who also would not comment, will have to make a choice, either to remain as street department superintendent and resign from the Police Department or resign from the administrative position and return to the Police Department.

In addition, the council unanimously dissolved the Utility Services Board, replacing the board with themselves, at least temporarily. The ordinance allows for a review of the decision in six months.

USB member Marci Kunstek said she was "a little disappointed" at the council's action and had been honored to serve on the board. She added that she hopes the change will allow the city to move forward.

Member Mark Hasza agreed with the decision, saying the disagreement between the board and the council was doing nothing but increasing city legal fees.

The decision means that Snyder will not have any control over the Utility Services Board and its finances. He will maintain the authority to hire and fire employees.

The council also voted unanimously to "adjust" Snyder's salary. He previously received a $53,000 salary from the city and $30,000 salary from the USB. He will continue to receive the full $83,000, but only from the city's funds.

02222017 - News Article - Union President Named in Violent Church Assault - Veach: Portage Parks Board

Union President Named in Violent Church Assault
Inside Sources
February 22, 2017
https://www.insidesources.com/union-president-named-violent-church-assault/

A local union president is alleged to have been involved in an assault at an Indiana church that left several construction workers severely injured.

Dyer Baptist Church was undergoing construction work when the attack happened in January 2016. Iron Workers Local 395 officials allegedly assaulted several nonunion construction workers, according to an attorney for the victims. D5 Iron Works was the nonunion construction company that was working on the project.

The Center on National Labor Policy (CNLP) moved in to support the construction workers in their legal challenge. The lawsuit is still ongoing, but new information has come to light. Local 395 President Jeff Veach is now alleged to have been involved based on information uncovered during a police investigation and turned over to CNLP.

“They finally turned over all the documents they had which include witness statements,” CNLP Attorney Michael Avakian told InsideSources. “One of the attackers was the local union president. So not only a local union business agent but the president of the union.”

Avakian adds the additional information was provided about six weeks ago. The complaint has since been amended to reflect the new information. InsideSources contacted the local police to confirm the findings. The Dyer Police Department could not provide comment since the investigation was transferred to the Department of Labor (DOL).

“Everything that we know has been confirmed,” Avakian said. “In fact, a little bit more has been confirmed. As I told you when we started, we now know the union president was involved.”

Dyer Baptist Church was undergoing construction work at the time of the attack. Union Business Agent Thomas Williamson Sr., according to the lawsuit, demanded the project be turned over to his union prior to the incident. D5 Iron Works President Richard Lindner reportedly told him he had to leave because he wasn’t covered by the onsite insurance.

“The next morning the BA shows up at the church offices, and talks to the pastor of the church,” Avakian said. “Says this isn’t the way its supposed to be, we think that the union should be in here and so forth, and clearly tries to get him to cut a deal that would force our guy off the job, and create a union situation.”

The lawsuit stated the pastor also dismissed him since the nonunion workers were already handling the project. Williamson tried several times to takeover the project but was unsuccessful. He allegedly returned with some associates Jan. 7 to physically attacked the nonunion workers.

“Then in the afternoon, about 3:00 in the afternoon, that’s when they attacked, and it ended at about four,” Avakian said. “We now have statements from the police who were there right after that incident.”

Construction worker Scott Kudingo was among those who were assaulted. The lawsuit states that he was thrown to the ground, and beaten by the union members. He was kicked by steel-toe-boots. He suffered numerous injuries. His face was fractured, and he had to have his jaw wired shut.

“Scott Kudingo who got beaten, hit in the face, had his jaw crushed and broken in three places, he’s been sort of put back together, but the doctors want to break it all again because it hasn’t healed correctly,” Avakian said. “So it’s another long series of painful carrying on.”

Kudingo begged the attackers to stop but they refused. Lindner and Joe Weil, another colleague, tried to intervene, but the union officials turned on them too. Weil was allegedly beaten with wooden boards during the attack. He was also stomped on.

“Here’s the kicker for the employer,” Avakian said. “Its cost of doing business has now increased dramatically because the medical worker comp insurance kicked in to take care of the medical expenses for the four guys.”

Avakian adds the incident will be considered a workplace accident unless proven otherwise. D5 Iron Works will essentially be responsible for the injuries unless the case is adjudicated against the union. The company could end up incurring radically increased worker compensation costs.

The DOL and police department have not taken any actions against the union. The union business agent has invoked his right to not speak by taking the fifth amendment. The union still has time to submit testimony and other evidence.

The case is currently undergoing the discovery phase which allows either side to collect evidence. They can make requests for information like admissions and depositions. The judge will decide whether to call a trial or not once the discovery phase is over May 1.

The DOL and Local 395 did not respond to requests for comment by InsideSources.

02222017 - News Article - Portage council moves to dissolve utility board

Portage council moves to dissolve utility board
NWI Times
Feb 22, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-ordinance-st-0222-20170221-story.html
PORTAGE — The City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday night in an effort to dissolve the Utility Services Board here.

City Council President Mark Oprisko said he wants to replace the board with the City Council for at least six months.

Oprisko said with some of the recent issues involving Mayor James Snyder and his use of credit cards and attempting to use $93,000 of the USB's funds to pay his legal fees, he feels the City Council should take over the money management of the utility department.

Oprisko said the council will also discuss how to adjust Snyder's salary. He was removed from his position as USB chairman earlier this month. That position carried an annual salary of $30,000.

"I want to look to get that money for him. We are not intending to be punitive," Oprisko said, adding he has discussed the measures with Snyder.

Snyder did not return an email request for comment.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Woodland Park.

02212017 - News Article - Portage Council eyes replacing city's utility board

Portage Council eyes replacing city's utility board
Post-Tribune
February 21, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-ordinance-st-0222-20170221-story.html

The Portage Common Council may be getting into the sewer business, at least temporarily.

Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, said the council will hear an ordinance at a special meeting Thursday calling for the council to replace the Portage Utility Services Board.

Oprisko also said the council will consider dropping its charge to keep Mayor James Snyder from collecting $30,000 as the utility board's chair.

"We're not going to be the kind of people who are going to take a big stick and keep beating (Snyder) with it," Oprisko said. "But, I also think it's illegal (for Snyder) to even make the $30,000 on that board."

The council essentially will become the board for six months, leaving the door open for the utility board to become a citizens council again.

Snyder could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

In a special meeting nearly two weeks ago, the council voted to strip Snyder of the $30,000 salary after unanimously voting to remove him as a member of the utility services board two days earlier.

Snyder's position on the two ordinances affecting his role and salary on the board remained unclear Tuesday.

Oprisko said council members are open to taking over the utility board following concerns with Snyder's use of board funds. Oprisko, who is the utility board's vice chair, also said the mayor's efforts last September to get the utility board to pay $93,000 of legal expenses he incurred while under federal investigation riled council members.

Snyder was federally indicted on public corruption charges in November, a fact that hasn't been far from council members' minds in trying to take over the utility board.

Councilman Collin Czilli, D-5th, said he approves of the council, in effect, becoming the utility services board for six months or longer if necessary -- and now giving Snyder the $30,000.

"I hate that we have to (replace the utility board), but we've been put in a position where we need to have strong oversight of that board in order to feel like we know exactly what's going on with some of the actions the mayor's taken over at utilities," he said.

"And, as for the $30,000 salary, from the beginning, I think the actions we took to remove the mayor from the utility services board were never meant to be punitive, but they were meant to be corrective.

"To me, the mayor makes $83,000, with his utility services board money, and, I believe the mayor should continue to see the same pay he was receiving."

02172017 - News Article - Portage administration director resigns over differences with mayor

Portage administration director resigns over differences with mayor 
nwitimes.com
February 17, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-administration-director-resigns-over-differences-with-mayor/article_53a6e77f-6b32-50a9-9db4-30d43cfffa7d.html

PORTAGE — Director of Administration Joe Calhoun resigned this week over what he called differences in philosophies with Mayor James Snyder.

"It just came to a point where our leadership philosophies weren't meshing," Calhoun said. "It is my job to get on board or to get out of the way. I decided to get out of the way."

Calhoun added that he had recently been pulled into the investigation of Snyder by the FBI, saying he was interviewed by agents after Snyder was indicted in November. He wouldn't comment on the particulars of the interview.

Snyder appointed Calhoun to the position more than three years ago. A 17-year Portage firefighter, he was technically on special assignment from the department to take the job and could return to the department.

"It was a fantastic job. I do feel like a lot was accomplished to bring the departments together," he said, praising department heads for their efforts over the last three years to move the city forward.

"I can't say enough about their dedication. They came together and worked together. They were awesome to work with."

Calhoun was considered the second in command at City Hall, providing a link between departments and between departments and the mayor. He managed policies, aligned human resource policies and was involved in union negotiations with employee groups. He said those negotiations are not yet completed.

"Sometimes jobs in the public sector, especially the job Joe Calhoun had, can be more punishing than rewarding," Snyder said in an email statement. "Right now we are on the grueling end with five union negotiations, the federal intensity on myself, dozens of major projects and the council scrutiny."

"Joe is a great friend to me and Portage, his service has been relentless and he is one of the hardest working men I know. He is doing what is best for him and his family; what he has accomplished in Portage will change it for generations to come. All that I can say to Joe is 'thank you,'" Snyder said.

Calhoun said he wasn't sure of his future. He has had a conversation with Fire Chief Tom Fieffer about returning to the department. A merit lieutenant, Calhoun was serving as an assistant chief when he was appointed director of administration.

"I have resumes out throughout the country, and I am hoping something will come through," said Calhoun, adding it may be his time to retire from the department and to "move on" and leave Portage.

"Portage residents are receiving and will continue to receive the same high quality of service. All department heads are stepping it up a bit for now, and when the time is appropriate we will work on replacement," said Snyder.

02172017 - Video - 2017 Portage's 'Year of Confidence'

2017 Portage's 'Year of Confidence'
NWI Times
Feb 17, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-mayor-confident-he-ll-give-speech-in/article_83b3c3b7-c060-594f-820b-0ec7d4f20318.html

02172017 - News Article - Portage mayor abuses taxpayers' trust

Portage mayor abuses taxpayers' trust
Chicago Tribune
February 17, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-editorial-snyder-st-0219-20170217-story.html

An indictment doesn't equate to guilt. That determination is left to a judge or a jury.

A federal indictment on corruption charges, however, is at the very least an embarrassment and a serious distraction if you're trying to run a city. By most ethical standards, it should inspire a careful, conservative profile, especially for a city's top-elected official.

Not so with Portage Mayor James Snyder, who's a clear winner over runner-up Lake County Sheriff John Buncich in the "outlandish actions by indicted public officials" category. While the performances don't rise to Hollywood's Academy Award-level, they're all too prevalent in the region.

In Buncich's case, he just wanted was his guns back. Federal agents confiscated his firearms after his arrest last year on corruption charges tied to a towing scheme. Buncich's attorney said the sheriff needed the weapons to perform his duties. The judge disagreed.

Snyder, meanwhile, makes Buncich's request seem reasonable.

He's embarked on a course of maintaining his innocence while enjoying perks at the expense of taxpayers. Snyder, a Republican, took his family and a security detail to Washington last month for President Donald Trump's inauguration. And, while some Portage residents struggle with monthly car payments and bills, Snyder drove a leased Chevrolet Tahoe to Washington that costs the city $800 a month. It's generously equipped with Sirius radio and OnStar.

If the trip wasn't enough to rankle folks, two police officers also drove a city vehicle to Washington because Snyder felt he and his family needed protection as they attended inauguration events. The need for security seems especially curious since Snyder's notoriety doesn't extend much farther than Porter County.

That trip seemingly was the last straw for Democrats who control the city council, which had been co-existing in a bi-partisan fashion with Snyder, who's in his second term as mayor. Together, the council and Snyder had pushed through improvements, including new police and fire stations and a needed renovation at City Hall.

Council members rightly became angered when they found out last year that Snyder attempted to pay a $93,000 legal bill with money from the Utility Services Board, which he chairs. The money was going to go to two law firms representing Snyder in connection with a federal investigation that resulted in bribery and obstruction charges in November. Both law firms returned the checks, saying they represented Snyder, not the utilities board.

Recently, the council moved to strip Snyder of his $30,000 salary and position as chairman of the Utility Services Board. At Snyder's direction, the board hired an Indianapolis law firm, which advised the council that removing Snyder violated state law. Undeterred, the council dumped Snyder. Council President Mark Oprisko warned it might pass an ordinance dissolving the Utility Services Board to save taxpayers from an expensive, lengthy lawsuit pitting the city against its own utilities board.

Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham called Snyder's acts "a pattern of disrespect for the taxpayers of Portage … it's just wrong," he said.

We couldn't agree more. A mayor facing federal indictment shouldn't be trekking off to a gala inauguration or charging taxpayers for his own legal troubles. The Portage City Council is safeguarding its taxpayers from Snyder's overreach, which has created a toxic atmosphere in a city with its pride and promise on the line.

02172017 - News Article - Portage mayor 'confident' he'll give speech in 2018

Portage mayor 'confident' he'll give speech in 2018
nwitimes.com
February 17, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-mayor-confident-he-ll-give-speech-in/article_83b3c3b7-c060-594f-820b-0ec7d4f20318.html

PORTAGE — Without making direct reference to his upcoming federal trial or his recent battles with the City Council, Mayor James Snyder told a group Thursday that the city will weather the present "hurricane."

Snyder addressed a packed room at Woodland Park during his annual State of the City address hosted by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce. Snyder was indicted last November on bribery and tax evasion charges. His trial is set for April 10. Recently he has been battling with the City Council which is attempting to remove him as chairman of the Utility Services Board.

Departing from previous years' State of the City addresses, Snyder opened and closed the presentation and allowed his department heads to provide updates on their departments.

"Over the past year, we saw the wind shift," Snyder told the group, adding the wind had been at Portage's back, but the city was now "in the middle of a hurricane."


"With our foundations, we can weather this storm and we can lead with great confidence," he said before introducing Police Chief Troy Williams to give an overview of his department during the previous year.

Following presentations by Williams, Fire Chief Tom Fieffer, Street Department Superintendent Joe Mokol, Parks Superintendent Jenny Orsburn and Economic Development Director Andy Maletta, Snyder closed the presentation by telling the audience that 2017 is the year of confidence.

"We have been through battles before and the city has prospered," he said, adding that he, his wife and city staff are "very grateful for the confidence, support and well wishes" they have received in recent months.

"I have confidence that I will be here to deliver the 2018 State of the City address," Snyder said closing the presentation.

02162017 - News Article - Snyder: Portage in a 'hurricane'

Snyder: Portage in a 'hurricane'
Post-Tribune
February 16, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-state-of-city-st-0217-20170216-story.html

Mayor James Snyder alluded to the legal and political storms wrapping around Portage during his annual State of the City address Thursday while encouraging the audience of Chamber of Commerce members to remain confident in the city.

Snyder also expressed hope he will beat a federal indictment last November on public corruption charges. Since then, Common Council members have called for his resignation and have voted to strip Snyder of his position as chairman of the utility services board and its $30,000 salary.

"We saw the winds shift like never before in Portage. We are now in a hurricane," Snyder began. "(2017) is the year that Portage is in a state of confidence. Portage will not only beat this storm, but we will be better as a result.

"This year, we have confidence our progress in Portage will continue," he told several hundred audience members. "And we have confidence I will be here to deliver the 2018 State of the City address."

Rather than deliver a speech lauding his administration's accomplishments last year, Snyder bookended presentations from his department heads on last year's events with brief comments of his own.

Economic Development Director Andy Maletta spoke of the "explosion" in new home starts, from nine starts in 2015 to 79 starts last year, and bringing new businesses -- including Monosol -- to Portage, while the police and fire chiefs spoke of improved services and new stations.

Parks Superintendent Jenny Orsburn praised her staff, which, she said, "has contributed significantly to the quality of life" of residents, and Streets Superintendent Joe Mokol lauded an increase in residents recycling and new time and money saving equipment.

Snyder listed accomplishments such as raising $60,000 for the Indiana-American water amphitheater at Founder's Square, an open air pavilion planned for the Portage Lakefront Park and the widening of Samuelson Road before calling on help from other city leaders.

"It's time for all of us to join together, both the city council and the mayor's office, to work toward this year of confidence," Snyder said.

Only two city council members, Sue Lynch, D-at large, and Scott Williams, D- 3rd, attended the address. Lynch, who last week called for Snyder's resignation, praised the work done by the city's department heads.

"What I heard today is we have some great department heads, and they're continuing to work hard together despite what is going on in the city," Lynch said. "As for (Snyder), he really didn't say much, but I think that was by intention."

02162017 - News Article - Top Portage administrator resigns position

Top Portage administrator resigns position
Post-Tribune
February 16, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-calhoun-resign-st-0217-20170216-story.html

Joe Calhoun, the city's director of administration and Portage Mayor James Snyder's top deputy, confirmed Thursday he is resigning effective Saturday.

Calhoun, who has coordinated the day-to-day operations of the city and utility services since 2014, said his work philosophy and the mayor's "just weren't meshing" and cited job-related stress for his departure, but Calhoun praised the administration's department heads.

"I've loved and cherished this job over the last three years, and I do honestly hope I've made some positive impressions on the city," Calhoun said. "I can't tell you how lucky I've been to work with those department heads. They do an incredible job of moving the city forward."

Last month, the FBI interviewed Calhoun, partly as a follow-up to Snyder's November federal indictment on public corruption charges.

"There's been a lot of job-related stress with all of this other stuff going on," Calhoun said of Snyder's legal woes.

Snyder did not return calls seeking comment Thursday.

Before becoming Portage government's virtual second-in-command, Calhoun rose through the ranks over 17 years to become assistant fire chief. Calhoun, whose work as administration director is considered a "special assignment," still is on the payroll at the fire station and, earlier this week, discussed "the possibility of returning to the ranks of the fire department," Chief Tom Feifer said.

Feifer said he had not received any official e-mails or other confirmation on Calhoun's resignation or plans to return to the fire department.

Calhoun said he loved his work with the fire department and may return someday, but he has begun looking outside of the city for his next step, calling it "a natural progression" in his career.

"It's probably best I move forward and move outside of City of Portage government," he said.

City Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, said Calhoun's departure will be "a huge loss for the city."

The council will keep the position's salary line item open, but the council also should have some say in who replaces Calhoun, Oprisko said.

"I pretty much begged (Calhoun) to stay, but the stress level of working in City Hall got the best of him, and I don't blame him," Oprisko said. "I don't want just some political crony or somebody that doesn't have enough experience to come in to that spot."

Along with running most of City Hall's operations, Calhoun has been thrust into difficult positions during his tenure. Last October, following revelations Snyder tried, in his role as chairman of the Portage Utility Services Board, to get the board to pay $93,000 in legal fees related to a federal investigation, the mayor put Calhoun and the utility services board attorney before local media to answer questions about the checks.

02102017 - News Article - DAVICH: Portage mayor should know image is everything in court of public opinion

Davich: Portage mayor should know image is everything in court of public opinion
Chicago Tribune
Jerry Davich
February 10, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/opinion/ct-ptb-davich-james-snyder-resignation-st-0213-20170210-story.html

Should Portage Mayor James Snyder step down from office while awaiting his public corruption trial in April?

Before you jump to a knee-jerk answer — I'm pretty sure all of us have one by this point — ask yourself why Snyder hasn't done it yet. Would it further tarnish his public image? Would it suggest guilt to city residents? Would it complicate his legal defense? Is it strictly about keeping his income, health insurance and other financial perks intact?

I don't think so.

Sure, those are all factors in his decision, but I believe Snyder is convinced he's innocent of all federal charges against him. Convinced. Nothing less.

"I am absolutely convinced that he believes that," said Portage City Councilman Collin Czilli (D-5th), who has called for Snyder's resignation along with several other city officials the past few weeks.

On Nov. 18, Snyder was formally charged with one count of tax evasion and two counts of bribery involving a local towing firm. Snyder pleaded not guilty, and he's been repeating that mantra since that day. I don't see him stepping down, even for the next two months, despite public outcry to do so.

Unlike those of us who either hope the mayor is innocent of these charges or that he will be found, or plead, guilty, Snyder acts assured he has done nothing wrong. Nothing. He has stated this publicly, and to me, and to other city officials.

Is this the common, even predicted, response from yet another Northwest Indiana public official indicted by the feds? Or is this the sad delusion of a man who may be serving prison time later this year? His supporters insist it's possible that Snyder has indeed been wrongly accused, and he will soon be exonerated of all charges.

And yes, presumed innocence until proven guilty is legally correct in our country, though many observers in this area have already presumed his guilt. It's easy to do in Northwest Indiana, where federal agents historically charge and convict public officials with an impressive success rate.

Snyder knows this, yet he insists he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Former Lake Station Mayor Keith Soderquist, who could easily serve as the poster child for modern-day public corruption, took a different tact after he and his wife Deborah were caught by the feds.

"They both knew they were guilty," said Kim Frizzell, the city's administrative assistant and a longtime city employee. "He essentially cased the joint during his time as a city councilman, learned how to manipulate people and using his terms as a training ground for public corruption later in his career. He had an agenda from early on."

The former eight-year city councilman pleaded guilty to improperly and illegally using money from his reelection campaign and the city's food pantry. The stolen funds were used for gambling at a casino boat, federal prosecutors said.

After deliberating only a few hours after an eight-day trial, a jury found Soderquist and his wife guilty. They were both sentenced to prison late last year.

Will the same fate be served to Snyder, who also is battling against public perception?

"My reputation is shot until I win, and I understand that," Snyder told me.

On Thursday, I heard from city residents who had just found out that Snyder drives a city-leased vehicle costing $866 a month. He also used this vehicle last month to drive his family to Washington D.C. to attend inauguration events for President Donald Trump. And he upgraded his hotel room on the taxpayers' dime.

"The fact that in 2016 we raised utility rates by 32 percent makes it look even worse," Czilli said.

Regardless whether you believe he should have attended this event with his family, or not, it simply looks bad for his public image. Then again, public image is not supposed to sway the verdict of his trial, scheduled for April 10. Just the facts, ma'am.

Czilli shared with me the Portage Utility Service Board paperwork filed for 2017 regarding Snyder's city-leased vehicle, a 2016 Chevy Tahoe. Snyder is one of several city officials with city-leased vehicles at their disposal, ranging in monthly cost from $613 to $779 for the five-year lease term.

"We also paid for Sirius XM and OnStar data in (Snyder's) vehicle," Czilli said.

To add context, it should be noted that the City Council voted unanimously for this fleet of vehicles after the general election in 2015. (Other municipalities in this area pay for similar city-leased fleets.) And it's likely that most Portage residents would never know about this contract if not for Snyder's indictment.

A federal indictment magnifies every move, every decision, every public comment. Everything he does is now under a microscope. Snyder knows this.

It's hard to believe after all these decades, all these indictments and all these convictions that a public official would dare commit a crime of any kind, even stealing a handful of paperclips.

Then again, it's not that hard to believe when you consider the human dynamics at work, the same universal dynamics that existed more than a century ago, corrupting so many others after they were elected into public office. Those damning attributes haven't gone away. Greed, ego, arrogance, the lust for power and a feeling of invincibility.

Does Snyder feel invincible against the charges against him? Should he show this attitude in public? Is this merely a reflection of how he genuinely feels in private? I don't know. Unlike his critics and political opponents, I'm not hoping for a guilty verdict in April. We've had too many public officials found guilty of corruption in this area.

But one thing is certain regarding public opinion about Snyder, and it was echoed publicly by U.S. District Court Judge James Moody at Soderquist's sentencing hearing.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he asked incredulously.

02102017 - News Article - Portage council axes utility chairman's salary

Portage council axes utility chairman's salary
NWI Times
February 10, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-council-axes-utility-chairman-s-salary/article_547399f8-c95c-53d3-bf9a-9c8e42aac01f.html

PORTAGE — City Clerk-Treasurer Christopher Stidham is challenging the legal basis of Mayor James Snyder's battle in regard to action taken by the City Council this week.

That council action included the passage of an ordinance on Tuesday removing Snyder as chairman of the Utility Service Board.

Stidham spoke at length Thursday about his findings prior to the council passing a second companion ordinance deleting the $30,000 annual salary for the Utility Service Board chairman position currently received by Snyder. The ordinance also removes the salary for any future chairman.

Stidham, who graduated from Valparaiso University's law school in May, said he had reviewed the letter from Faegre Baker Daniels, the law firm appointed by Snyder after the Utility Service Board voted 5-1 on Wednesday to hire legal counsel to defend itself.

"Not surprisingly, the letter is based on misstated facts which resulted in gross distortions of the law. ... I offer this legal opinion not as attorney for the City Council but as clerk-treasurer only. I would strongly recommend following up with your council attorney for additional legal opinions," Stidham said.

The city's legal counsel didn't attend Thursday's meeting.

Snyder, who chaired the meeting on Thursday, offered little public comment during a meeting at which several council members asked for him to step down as mayor, including City Councilman Patrick Clem, D-2nd.

"I was raised to respect people, to be honest. I don't see that here. I'm going to ask you to resign," Clem said.

Snyder, who was indicted in federal court in November on three counts including bribery and tax evasion, faces an April 10 hearing.

After the meeting, Snyder said he has no intentions of stepping down as mayor.

Snyder offered the following statement in regard to action taken by the council:

"Members of the council passed, in haste, ordinances Tuesday night and tonight that clearly violate state law, despite being provided with legal advice to better inform their decision. The council action sets the stage for further legal battles which could be very costly and burdensome for the city. In the coming days, I will gather advice and contemplate possible options before taking action. As I give this careful consideration, I welcome the opportunity to have productive conversation with council members to determine if we can reach a more workable agreement."

Stidham, citing state laws, said the council does have the right to remove Snyder as chairman of the Utility Service Board.

02102017 - News Article - Portage mayor loses $30K panel chairmanship in city council vote

Portage mayor loses $30K panel chairmanship in city council vote
Chicago Tribune
February 10, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-snyder-ordinance-st-0211-20170210-story.html

The Portage City Council late Thursday capped off a tumultuous week by passing an ordinance that strips Mayor James Snyder of his $30,000 salary as the Utility Services Board's chairman just hours after an Indianapolis law firm advised the council that doing so could be a violation of state law.

Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, who also is the vice chair of the Utility Services Board, also said the council may invoke the "nuclear option" — passing an ordinance eliminating the current Utility Services Board — and added that "we're not going to waste taxpayer dollars" on a potential lawsuit between the board and the city.

The salary amendment ordinance passed on a 6-0 vote, with Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, absent.

The advice from Faegre Baker and Daniels did not go over well with the council or Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham, who countered the law firm point by point, defending the council's decision to also strip Snyder of his position on the board.

The Utility Services Board, under Snyder's direction, voted to hire Faegre Baker and Daniels to represent the board against the council's moves to change the board's leadership. The law firm sent a two-page, double-sided letter to council members Thursday afternoon describing the controversial ordinances as violations of state law.

Council members claimed that hiring the law firm could cost the Utility Services Board more than $500 an hour, but Snyder said he had not yet signed the contract and did not know how much Faegre Baker and Daniels' work will cost the businesses and residents that use sewer service.

In a written statement he issued coinciding with the meeting, Snyder wrote that "the Council action sets the stage for further legal battles which could be very costly and burdensome for the city," but he also left the door open for a compromise and an opportunity to "reach a more workable agreement."

After the meeting, Snyder said he likely will veto the ordinance firing him and the other stripping him of the chair's salary "if they are invalid."

"If (the ordinances) are valid, then I have some decisions to make," he said.

Snyder has the option to veto the ordinances.

Earlier this week, the council passed a string of ordinances that appeared aimed at Snyder and his administration.

One ordinance prohibits Portage mayors from naming themselves to the Utility Services Board and moves the board's finances and budget responsibilities to the Portage clerk-treasurer.

By state law, mayors appoint the majority of utility services board members, with local councils, or legislative bodies, appointing a minority of board members. In Portage's case, a local ordinance calls for the mayor to appoint two Democrats and two Republicans.

Following tradition, Snyder appointed himself and three others to the board, and the board elected Snyder its chairman. The chairman earns a $30,000 salary, also by ordinance.

In September, a Utility Services Board employee sent two checks totaling $93,000 to two law firms, Dogan and Dogan of Portage and Winston and Strawn of Chicago, for representing Snyder in a federal investigation, but both firms returned the checks, insisting they represented Snyder as an individual and not the board.

The move riled Oprisko and other city officials, who claimed Snyder never consulted them on the payments.

City officials also have complained bitterly of Snyder's use of Utility Services Board funds.

While not illegal, many of those moves were inappropriate, Stidham insisted Thursday night, calling Snyder's actions "a pattern of disrespect for the taxpayers of Portage."

"It has nothing to do with legal or illegal, but it's just wrong," Stidham said.

Snyder tied the council's actions to his indictment last November on federal corruption charges, something the council has vehemently denied.

"I think you can imagine this isn't easy," Snyder told the audience. "I'm looking forward, and my family is looking forward — but hopefully things are dropped before we get to that point — to our day in court."

02092017 - News Article - Legal help hired to sort out Portage ordinance to remove mayor from board

Legal help hired to sort out Portage ordinance to remove mayor from board
Chicago Tribune
February 09, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-utilities-snyder-st-0210-20170209-story.html

A day after the Portage City Council voted to remove Mayor James Snyder from the chairman's position on the Utility Services Board, the board on Wednesday hired Chicago-based law firm Faegre, Baker and Daniels to look into the matter.

Snyder later said he did not know how much the legal work will cost the board.

The action stems from Tuesday's City Council action, which not only removes Snyder from the Utilities Board, but also eliminates the $30,000 salary that comes with it. The move came after Snyder and City Council President Mark Oprisko debated a variety of topics, from Snyder's use of a board-leased SUV to comments made to local media.

The council was expected to vote Thursday night on a proposed ordinance to delete the $30,000 salary.

"I feel the ordinances are completely invalid," said Snyder, who handed out city letterhead with parts of a state statute prohibiting legislative bodies like city councils from eliminating or reducing elected officials' salaries in the same year those bodies pass such ordinances.

"It's very clear you can't punish a mayor by taking away his salary."

Last September, Snyder tried to get the board to use utility funds to pay $93,000 in legal fees to law firms representing Snyder in a federal investigation. The firms returned the checks, and the board has not returned to the issue since Snyder's indictment last November on public corruption charges.

The board is made of four mayoral appointments, including the mayor himself, and three council appointments, including Oprisko, who is the board's vice chair. Oprisko was the sole board member to vote against hiring the law firm.

Another council appointee, Mark Hasza, also approved hiring the law firm.

"I figured (Snyder) would do something like that because he needs the (chairman salary) to pay his bills," Oprisko said of Snyder's idea to hire an outside law firm. "I'll talk to the (city) council. We'll do what it takes to get (Snyder) off this board."

The on-record exchange between Oprisko and Snyder began when the mayor defended his use of a board-leased 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe, at a rate of $867 a month for five years. The agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management ultimately will save the board money in the long run, Snyder said.

Snyder dismissed criticism of his use of the vehicle as "commentary without fact and touted the importance of city leaders driving attractive, practical vehicles.

Oprisko described the lease as an "exorbitant" cost, and the exchange took off from there.

The men bounced across Snyder's indictment, the board's issue of $93,000 in checks for the federal investigation, the mayor's absence from Tuesday's city council meeting and Snyder's controversial trip to a mayor's conference and President Donald Trump's inauguration last month in Washington, D.C.

The board did complete some official business. City Engineer John Hannon, of Great Lakes Engineering, was awarded a raise of $15 an hour, raising his rate to $125 per hour for utility services work.

The new contract also gave raises to a project engineer, a senior designer and more staff.

02092017 - News Article - Mayor's meeting absence brings critics, defenders

Mayor's meeting absence brings critics, defenders
Chicago Tribune
February 09, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-mayor-absent-st-0212-20170209-story.html

Residents voiced a mixed bag of reactions for the City Council and for embattled Mayor James Snyder, who skipped the Tuesday council meeting.

Snyder later said he was visiting a friend in a hospital during the meeting, but immediately after the meeting, one of his staffers passed out written statements on city letterhead to local media.

The residents' comments seemed to show a city increasingly rattled by the contentious relationship between the mayor, the council and Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham.

"I feel there's an injustice here tonight," complained resident Edna Maturkanich, a regular at council meetings. "It's like you're roasting the mayor, and he isn't even here. It's like you guys were having a field day tonight. I know James Snyder, and I know he's innocent."

The council suspended rules requiring a second reading of an ordinance and voted to strip Snyder of his position on the Portage Utility Services Board and the chairman's job he holds. A second ordinance eliminating the position's salaries was expected to be heard again Thursday night, after Councilman John Cannon, R- 4th, voted against suspending the rules.

Other residents criticized the mayor for not showing up and for recent controversial actions, including a trip to Washington, D.C. where the mayor took two police administrators for a conference and the inauguration of President Donald Trump, mostly on the taxpayers' dime.

Last November, Snyder was indicted on federal public corruption charges.

Snyder, who left last month's council meeting about five minutes after opening the meeting, did not notify Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, or any other officials of his absence, Oprisko said.

"He's the chairman of this board," Oprisko said. "He should've had enough respect to call me or someone else on this board to get out of their seat and take over the meeting."

Immediately after the meeting, a Snyder staffer passed out a signed, written statement from the mayor dated Feb. 7. Snyder accused the council of "behaving in a way of presumption of guilt, which is the opposite of what America, Indiana and any decent citizen believes."

In the statement, Snyder also wrote his administration has "saved the City millions of dollars in waste, fixed more roads, buildings and infrastructure than any administration and have rejuvenated the pride in Portage."

Stidham said the council's actions had little to do with the indictment "and everything to do with" the mayor's efforts to pay his legal fees with utility services board funds last year.

Snyder's prepared statement also bothered Stidham.

"The council meeting happens at same time forever and ever and ever," Stidham said. "(Snyder) came for five minutes last month and left, and this month he didn't even bother to show up. Yet, the rest of the city's eight elected officials made it a priority. He should've been here doing his job"

Cannon, the only Republican on the council, who describes himself as a longtime friend of the Republican mayor, called said he and his colleagues have "aged 20 years in five days."

"This has been a tough night for me, but some things have to be done, because the public trust us to do a job," Cannon said.

02082017 - News Article - Board votes to remove mayor from utility services board

Board votes to remove mayor from utility services board
Chicago Tribune
February 08, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-city-council-st-0209-20170208-story.html

The Portage City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to strip Mayor James Snyder of his position as chairman of the Portage Utility Services Board and will try again to remove the position's $30,000 salary in a special meeting Thursday.

The vote, however, leaves Snyder with several options to protect his position or to demonstrate agreement with the council.

As mayor, he can sign the ordinance into law, veto it or let it pass by "pocket veto," or letting 10 days elapse without taking any action.

The first ordinance prohibiting the mayor from holding a spot on the seven-member board passed easily after the council unanimously agreed to suspend the rules requiring a second reading and approve the ordinance. Snyder did not attend the meeting.

In a procedural move, Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, the sole Republican on the panel, forced the council to hold a special meeting to reconsider the salary ordinance that deletes the utility board chairman's salary.

An Indiana law prohibits legislative bodies from stripping an another elected official's salary or reducing that salary in the same year as such a vote may be taken.

Cannon said he is against the salary ordinance change and wants more time to determine if it conflicts with state statute, but City Council President Mark Oprisko, D-at large, scheduled a special meeting Thursday night to try to get the ordinance passed.

"I think there may be some conflict with the state statute," Cannon said of the vote to delete the salary. "Some things came about in the last few days I want to look into. Now we're going to have a meeting Thursday knowing I'm going to be out of town."

Cannon, who described himself as a longtime friend of the Republican mayor's, reiterated his support for the ordinance removing the mayor from the board, calling it "a sense of duty, of doing the right thing."

Snyder came under fire last September when a utility services board employee sent $93,000 in checks to Portage-based law firm Dogan and Dogan and Winston and Strawn, a Chicago law firm, to pay for legal expenses related to a federal investigation of Snyder.

Both firms returned the payments, indicating they represented Snyder as an individual and not the utility services board.

Oprisko led the move to block any payments from the board to the law firms and threatened to order an investigation into the moves.

In November, Snyder was indicted on federal public corruption charges unrelated to anything with the utility services board.

In a written statement delivered to media immediately after Tuesday night's meeting, Snyder accused the council of "behaving in a way of presumption of guilt," which Oprisko denied.

"I'm not saying (Snyder's) guilty, because you're innocent until proven guilty," Oprisko said. "However, when you look at the (legal expenses) situation with the utility services board, with (Snyder) as the chairman taking it upon himself to send two checks worth almost $100,000, if he was in the private sector, he'd be fired."

02082017 - News Article - UPDATE: Portage council, mayor continue arguing

UPDATE: Portage council, mayor continue arguing 
NWI Times
February 08, 2017

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/update-portage-council-mayor-continue-arguing/article_455590fe-401e-525e-b26d-e91a520e6110.html

PORTAGE — The City Council will meet in special session Thursday to complete what council President Mark Oprisko termed unfinished business regarding Mayor James Snyder.

The 8 p.m. meeting will be held at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road.

The council is scheduled to vote on a proposed ordinance that deletes the $30,000 annual salary of the Utility Service Board chairman, a position that had been held by Snyder.

The council on Tuesday removed Snyder from that position.

Snyder said he plans to fight the city, noting the utility board voted 5-1 Wednesday to hire legal counsel to defend itself.

Snyder said state law protects him from the recent action by the council.

"My point is that there is a clear separation of power in the state constitution. They (the council) will be spending tens of thousands of dollars, and all they have to do is wait until my (federal) hearing is over," Snyder said.

Snyder was indicted in federal court in November on three counts including bribery and tax evasion. His trial is set for April 10.

The proposed ordinance to remove the salary attached to the position needs a second reading since it didn't receive unanimous approval when read on Tuesday, Oprisko said.

City Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, cast the only dissenting vote.

That change requires any future expenditures of the board to go before both the clerk-treasurer's office and the City Council, Oprisko said.

Oprisko said approval of the proposed companion ordinance will kill the $30,000 salary for the mayor.

"This (ordinance) will also delete the salary for any other board chairperson," Oprisko said.

The ordinance removing the mayor as Utility Service Board chairman was a way to put more checks and balances in place and to return finances back to taxpayers, Oprisko said.

Snyder has the option of vetoing both ordinances over the next 10 days, Oprisko said.

Council members gave two reasons for their actions regarding Snyder.

First, the mayor sought reimbursement for $93,000 of his personal legal fees prior to his indictment without seeking approval from the Utility Service Board.

Second, the council is also questioning reimbursement requests from Snyder after he took a recent trip to Washington, D.C., for a mayor's conference and to attend the presidential inauguration, taking two police administrators and his family.

Snyder traveled to D.C., on Jan. 16, to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting and the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

Council members, including Oprisko, have asked Snyder in recent days to step down as mayor.

02082017 - News Article - GUEST COMMENTARY: Snyder's D.C. trip shows poor judgment

GUEST COMMENTARY: Snyder's D.C. trip shows poor judgment
Collin Czilli
NWI Times
Feb 8, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/guest-commentary/guest-commentary-snyder-s-d-c-tripshows-poor-judgment/article_3484db0c-adc2-513d-a46f-af75385f9b83.html
Over the past few months, our city has experienced some rocky political waters. That is no secret. But during the past two weeks, those waters have become even rockier.

To be clear, for myself, the decision to request that Mayor James Snyder resign was a difficult decision to make. As a student of political science and the Constitution, I am a firm believer in a person’s right to a fair trial and the belief that he or she is innocent until proven guilty. However, a cloud of corruption hovers over our city, and the only way to begin to restore trust in city government is for Snyder to resign today as his trial is not scheduled to begin until April.

I would be remiss to not mention the progress that our city has made during the past decade, and Snyder has been a large part of that progress. But these legal issues have become a distraction to our city’s future success. Snyder must realize that his actions are having a direct impact on Portage’s growth.

With that said, I would like to address the mayor’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. for the winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and for the presidential inauguration.

I take no issue with the mayor and his family attending the conference. I do not take issue with Chief of Police Troy Williams and Assistant Chief Ted Uzelac attending as a registered "security detail." This designation allowed both to attend the conference for free.

After discussing this situation with both Williams and Uzelac, I believe their attendance was good for our city as they brought back very valuable law enforcement information from the multiple seminars they attended.

Personally, I believe these types of conferences provide very valuable information that can help us better serve the residents of Portage. That is why I will be attending the National League of Cities Congressional Conference this March in Washington. I look forward to attending and bringing back valuable information for all elected officials and city employees.

However, I do take issue with a few facts about the mayor’s trip:

Snyder upgraded his standard room ($429 conference rate, per night) to a suite ($539 per night) and failed to inform the Utility Service Board of this. He was reimbursed for four nights at $539 per night plus tax.
The conference ended on Jan. 19 at 2:30 pm. Snyder remained in Washington until Saturday morning. He attended the inauguration, parade and an inaugural ball. Williams and Uzelac escorted him and his family to these events. The mayor’s activities on Friday were not city business.
The city is being asked to cover the lodging costs and per diem requests for Williams and Uzelac for Friday during the inaugural activities, which were not city business.
Snyder drove his $866-a-month leased city vehicle to Washington.
Snyder used a Utility Department credit card that was not assigned to him, which is a violation of our city credit card ordinance.
The fact is, the mayor exhibited astonishingly poor judgment during this trip to Washington, D.C. He should not reasonably expect that the taxpayers will cover the cost of an upgraded hotel room or the costs associated with him and his family attending the inauguration. I expect that the mayor will pay back the upgrade cost to the Utility Service Board. Additionally, Snyder should personally cover the cost of the two hotel rooms and per diem requests for Chief Williams and Assistant Chief Uzelac for Friday night. The taxpayers of Portage deserve an explanation from Snyder regarding his poor choices.

Serving the residents of Portage is the honor of my life, and I will continue to do so with the utmost respect for your hard-earned tax dollars.
Collin Czilli is a Portage city councilman. The opinions are the writer's

02072017 - News Article - Snyder removed as chair of Portage Utility Service Board

Snyder removed as chair of Portage Utility Service Board
NWI Times
February 07, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/snyder-removed-as-chair-of-portage-utility-service-board/article_99c4d9de-7a82-533a-bb51-0a7710e06d49.html
PORTAGE — The City Council on Tuesday removed Mayor James Snyder from his job as chairperson of the Utility Service Board.

The pay, which is $30,000, will go back to taxpayers, City Council President Mark Oprisko said.

In addition, the budget of the Utility Service Board was replaced with the name "finances" with any future expenditures having to go before the clerk-treasurer's office and the City Council.

Oprisko said the ordinance, which was unanimously approved by the council, was a way to put more checks and balances in place and to return finances back to taxpayers.

"Myself and the City Council will do whatever it takes. We have your backs," Oprisko said.

Snyder, who wasn't at the meeting because he was at a Chicago hospital visiting a friend, issued a statement through a staff member.

The statement was as follows: "I intend to stay high while others go low. The facts in Portage government are that we have saved the city millions of dollars in waste, fixed more roads, buildings and infrastructure than any administration and have rejuvenated the pride in Portage. Council members are focused on normal city operations that will be approved and substantiated by the State of Board of Accounts. The council is behaving in a way of presumption of guilt, which is the opposite of what American, Indiana and any decent citizen believes."

Council members, who were applauded several times for their measure, said the action was due to two events. First, the mayor sought reimbursement for $93,000 of his personal legal fees prior to his indictment without seeking approval from the Utility Service Board. Secondly, Snyder took a recent trip to Washington, D.C., for a mayor's conference and to attend the presidential inauguration, taking two police administrators and his family.

Snyder was indicted on three counts in federal court in November including bribery and tax evasion. His trial is set for April 10.

Snyder, along with his wife and four children, traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 16, to attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting and the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

In addition to the Snyders, Police Chief Troy Williams and Assistant Chief Ted Uzelac Jr. and Uzelac's son also attended the conference and inauguration.

In a written answer to Clerk-Treasurer Christopher Stidham, Snyder denied "ordering" the administrators to attend the conference and inauguration. He said he "granted them permission" based on the content of the conference. He also denied collecting any reimbursement from the Utility Services Board.

Although many of those residents who attended the council meeting applauded the efforts of officials, at least one resident, Edna Maturkanich, questioned why officials had gone around the mayor's back.

"I feel like you are roasting the mayor and he wasn't even here. Isn't a person considered innocent until he goes before a court of law?" Maturkanich asked.

02062017 - News Article - PODCAST: Byline - Fixing corruption's mark on NWI

PODCAST: Byline - Fixing corruption's mark on NWI
NWI Times
Kale Wilk, Digital Producer
February 06, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/digital/audio/byline/podcast-byline---fixing-corruption-s-mark-on-nwi/audio_0372c6a9-083c-571e-80c3-ad00e4a2e6fa.html

VIDEO-02062017--PODCAST--Fixing-Corruption's-Mark-On-NWI--NWI-Times

Northwest Indiana politics, particularly in Lake County, has a rough history. It's marked by its highs, but also by its lows as civic leaders go down in history and besmirch the Region's reputation. Although their trials haven't started, Lake County Sheriff John Buncich and Portage Mayor James Snyder's recent indictments haven't helped the Region's perception. What is the fix for stopping the temptations in public corruption? Byline examines a mix of efforts at both the local and state levels as well as even the newspaper's role in making ethical decisions commonplace.

02052017 - News Article - MARC CHASE: Distracting specter grows around Portage mayor

MARC CHASE: Distracting specter grows around Portage mayor
NWI Times
Marc Chase marc.chase@nwi.com, (219) 662-5330
Feb 5, 2017
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/opinion/columnists/marc-chase/marc-chase-distracting-specter-grows-around-portage-mayor/article_f467452a-c13a-5ad0-8423-2338933dc9d5.html
Strong vision and hard, efficient work are the stuff of community growth and success — the qualities of solid leaders.

But those qualities can't elevate leaders — regardless of their past successes — beyond the specter of a felony indictment alleging personal enrichment and abuse of public trust.

Innocent or guilty, and he'll get his day in court at some point, Portage Mayor James Snyder is learning this social and legal truth the hard way.

The stifling stranglehold such accusations place on a leader continue to multiply in their effect on Snyder's ability to lead.

They will continue to do so until and unless he resigns or is exonerated of felonious wrongdoing.

It's a painful truth for many in Portage — and elsewhere in the Region — to consider given Snyder's many successes at the helm of the city's executive office.

Portions of our Region are blessed with an idyllic mix of industry, stunning natural lakefront and promising development.

In my 13-plus years living in Northwest Indiana, I've watched Portage become the epitome of all of these qualities.

Business and warehousing developments around the Bass Pro Shop off the interstate, along Central Avenue near City Hall and newer, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing municipal buildings help define the Portage landscape.

The city's tax base, and therefore its residents, are the direct beneficiaries.

The Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk is a National Park Service facility made into an eye-popping recreational and natural wonder through the collective vision and funding of many entities.

Much of what we see in Portage is due, at least in part, to the strong vision of Mayor Snyder.

A desire to continue that vision is a major reason why Snyder says he won't resign office in the wake of the federal felony bribery indictment he faces.

Federal prosecutors allege he solicited self-enrichment through bribes paid by city towing contractors. Snyder also is accused of tax evasion.

Snyder continued to contend his innocence Friday when I met him for a tour of the city and an interview in his office.

Innocent or not — and I'm neither prosecutor nor judge — I've contended in the past that the shadow of the federal accusations are too great a distraction to city business. I've argued, as has The Times Editorial Board, that Snyder should step down and focus on his legal defense.

Evidence of this immense distraction grew evermore apparent earlier this week when controversy erupted over a recent taxpayer-funded trip Snyder and two top police officials took to Washington, D.C.

The primary purpose was Snyder's attendance at the United States Conference of Mayors, a staple and typically innocuous event attended by many mayors throughout the country.

Mayors and other municipal officials attend the conference to glean ideas of best practices they can then bring home with them.

Snyder told me he opted to bring police Chief Troy Williams and Assistant Chief Ted Uzelac Jr. with him because community policing topics were included on the conference agenda, and police acting as security for their respective mayors could attend the conference free of the $1,200 individual registration fee.

The conference was contiguous with President Donald Trump's inauguration, so Snyder and the two police officials attended that historic event as well.

None of the trip, on its face value, would have stirred much controversy had Snyder not been under the weight of a federal bribery indictment.

But he was and is.

Some Portage officials went on the attack last week, criticizing the mayor for seeking and receiving taxpayer reimbursement for a $539-per-night hotel suite, rather than a cheaper $429-per-night standard room, while he attended the conference.

Snyder said his staff booked the more expensive room because his wife and children traveled to D.C. with him, largely to witness the Trump inauguration.

It's a $110-per-night quibble that Snyder could easily have satisfied by knocking the difference off the amount he requested for reimbursement. After all, taxpayers shouldn't be expected to pick up the bill for the mayor's family to attend.

But he didn't. All told, Snyder was reimbursed $3,892.64 from city coffers, which included the cost of the nicer accommodations, the conference registration and valet parking.

It's not really the stuff of intense scandal, however. In fact, Snyder argues he could have charged the city a per diem for his meals but did not.

Portage Clerk-treasurer Chris Stidham also accused Snyder of taking along taxpayer-funded bodyguards by bringing along his police chief and assistant chief. Chief Williams and Assistant Chief Uzelac collectively rang up another $5,303.52 in hotel, travel and meal charges to be reimbursed by the city, documents provided by Snyder show.

Though they attended registration-free under the "security" clause of the event, it's easy to see why Stidham and other officials would get worked up over the city paying for non-mayors to attend a mayoral event.

Clearly, Snyder didn't need a security detail. The mayor, of course, argues his top cops benefited from connections made at the event and the topical nature of some of the event themes.

All of that may be true, just as Snyder may be innocent of the bribery charges he faces.

But he'll continue to face such intense scrutiny as long as he remains under indictment. This uncertain veil will choke out his ability to lead the way he otherwise could. It will continue to hang like an albatross around the necks of the mayor's staff and other city officials aligned with him.

Snyder acknowledged Friday the indictment is deeply affecting staff morale. How could it not?

Council members of both political parties recently implored the mayor to resign. Other entities have done so as well.

Regardless of the good he's done for Portage, it may be time for Snyder to listen.

02032017 - News Article - Portage mayor's Washington trip, security detail rile city officials

Portage mayor's Washington trip, security detail rile city officials
Post-Tribune
February 03, 2017
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-mayor-inauguration-st-0205-20170203-story.html

When President Donald Trump was swearing the oath of office at last month's inauguration in Washington, Portage Mayor James Snyder was in attendance, along with his family and a security detail that included the police chief and assistant chief, records and interviews show.

Snyder, a Republican who's facing federal public corruption charges, capped off a week-long trip to a national mayor's conference in Washington D.C. by attending the inauguration. So far, the mayor has billed taxpayers at least $2,692 for travel and hotel, according to records and interviews.

The charges included a rented suite at the Capitol Hilton for $539 a night for four nights to accommodate his family, instead of the standard room rate of $429 a night, a difference of $110 without taxes and fees, records show. Police Chief Troy Williams and Assistant Chief Ted Uzelac also billed the city $429 per night for four and five nights respectively, according to records and interviews.

The Portage Utility Services Board, which Snyder chairs, reimbursed Snyder $2,692 to cover four out of the five nights he and his family spent at the hotel at the $539 a night rate. Snyder paid for the fifth night on his own.

"It's no problem taking your family, and it's no problem if they stay in the same hotel room, but the city shouldn't bear the additional expense," Portage Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham, a vocal opponent of the mayor's, said. "And, (staying for the inauguration), now it's gone from city business to personal business. Now, he was keeping security out there for his personal time, and that's where it really gets out of line."

A federal grand jury in November indicted Snyder on bribery and tax evasion charges.

Portage Council President Mark Oprisko and Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, recently visited Snyder in the mayor's office, where Oprisko asked Snyder to resign, claiming the mayor's federal indictment "cast a cloud" over the city, Oprisko said.

Snyder refused.

Stidham sent the City Council a letter criticizing Snyder for charging the city for the suite during the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter meeting, which took place Jan. 16-19 in Washington, D.C. Stidham also criticized Snyder for billing taxpayers the costs surrounding the Jan. 20 inauguration. The letter also questioned Snyder's decision to take along Williams and Uzelac as security.

Snyder's wife and four children accompanied him on what he called "a historic trip." On his Facebook page, Snyder said the "scrutiny of this trip is unwarranted and completely riddled with 'alternative facts' to paint a picture that is not accurate."

Stidham, the city's chief financial officer, combed through receipts from the January trip in his office, expressing frustration and calling on the council to pass ordinances that further clamp down on spending by city officials.

Stidham, a Democrat, insists Snyder should reimburse the city for the difference in his family's suite rate and for all of the police leaders' hotel expenses, with the latter costs totaling about $5,300. He also called the extra day for the inauguration "the mayor's personal business."

Snyder, however, said he did not intend to reimburse the city for the difference between his family's suite rental rate and the standard rate or for the officers' stay. Instead, he refused to charge the city a per diem, which would've come out more than that difference, he said.

Snyder also said a state agency can review the trip and decide what's right or wrong.

"If the State Board of Accounts sees it as a thing to be dealt with, we'll deal with it," he said.

Williams said he and Uzelac were following orders in attending the conference and inauguration, and they stayed close to the mayor and his family after coming up before the trip with a detailed operations plan on what they would do in Washington.

Williams also used the conference as a way to improve police operations back home, he said.

"We decided if we're going be there in this security capacity, let's also use the opportunity to network and find out what else other communities are doing," Williams said. "I think if somebody has a question about something, it's fair to ask that. From mine and the assistant chief's position, we were going there as a security detail."

Williams claimed he and Uzelac came in handy protecting the mayor while heading to an inaugural ball. As they approached an opening between two blockades and portable fencing, protesters began to envelop them, causing Williams to get physical with two of them while Uzelac ushered the mayor and his wife to safety, Williams said.

In his letter to the City Council, Stidham, who was sworn in as clerk-treasurer in 2012, the same time Snyder ascended to the mayor's office, called on the body to pass a travel policy ordinance that prohibits city officials' "use of police officers as personal bodyguards while traveling on city business," bans hiring private security firms for those trips, and clearly outlines policies for family travel and for extending travel past city business.

"It's sad we're to this point, but let's have an ordinance that makes it crystal clear our stance on these situations," Stidham said.

Snyder said some of the criticism "may be heartfelt," but he also said some of the criticism, especially from Stidham, was politically motivated Stidham also works for the law firm Rhame and Elwood, which holds a number of contracts throughout the city and the Portage schools.

Snyder said the "spat" with Stidham will not get in the way of city work.

"Any self-serving criticism of the mayor is not good for Portage," Snyder said Friday. "It's not good for its staff. I'm going to get through all this and I'm going to be a better person when I'm through all this."

02032017 - News Article - Portage ordinance proposal targets salary of panel chair, currently held by Mayor Snyder

Portage ordinance proposal targets salary of panel chair, currently held by Mayor Snyder
Post-Tribune
February 03, 2017 - 6:37PM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-new-ordinance-st-0206-20170203-story.html

The Portage City Council is expected to hear an ordinance proposal Tuesday that would strip the chairman of the city's Utility Services Board of the position's $30,000 salary.

Mayor James Snyder is the current chairman.

The proposed ordinances also name the city's clerk-treasurer as the treasurer of the board. The clerk-treasurer would manage board funds and the checkbook while paying out expenses as ordered by the board, according to the proposals.

The proposals come a few months after Snyder upset many city officials by ordering board staff to send payments to two legal firms representing Snyder in a federal investigation that resulted in a public corruption indictment Nov. 18.

Snyder said the ordinances are "below humanity," and the mayor said he hopes to reach resolution before the ordinances go from the council floor to a court room floor.

"You can't lower the mayor's salary because you can starve a man out," Snyder said. "It's just very low. All of the individuals behind this, when I'm found innocent, which will be very shortly, will probably wish they didn't go this route."

He said he has legal help studying state law and the ordinances. He also dismissed claims the ordinances had nothing to do with his federal indictment last November on public corruption charges.

Snyder is a member of the board and appoints four of the seven members, with the council appointing the rest. The board typically appoints the mayor as its chairman with a $30,000 salary.

"It's one of the steps I think is necessary to bring back some credence back to the utility services board," said Council President Mark Oprisko, who is the board's vice chair.

Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham said the proposed ordinances are a direct result of Snyder's efforts last September to get the board to pay $93,000 in legal fees.

Snyder had not consulted any other board members or discussed the payments publicly up to that point. Oprisko called the attempt "an injustice."

In September, the board sent a $6,100 check to Portage-based legal firm Dogan and Dogan and almost $87,400 to Tom Kirsch, an attorney with Winston and Strawn. Both firms returned the checks, indicating they could not accept the checks from the board because they were representing Snyder as an individual.

At the time, Oprisko intervened to stop any reimbursements or payments related to the expenses.

"That was a pretty big deal," Stidham said.

The board also paid Snyder extra money as compensation for several city staff members who did work for the utility board outside of their normal duties.

The board and the City of Portage are two separate entities, but the City Council passes ordinances that affect leadership and other key elements of the board.

Stidham said he believes the ordinances, if passed, will pass legal muster as they are directed toward the board chairperson as an appointed official.

State law prohibits legislative bodies from eliminating or significantly reducing elected officers' salaries, which are set locally by salary ordinances.