02152018 - News Article - Portage mayor facing federal corruption charges plans to still be mayor next year

Portage mayor facing federal corruption charges plans to still be mayor next year
Chicago Tribune
Feb 15, 2018
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-state-of-city-st-0216-20180215-story.html

Portage Mayor James Snyder delivered his sixth State of the City address Thursday and insisted his future as head of the city is bright and clear.

"I plan to be here again next year," Snyder said after his speech. "We've been saying all along I've done nothing wrong."

In November 2016, Snyder was indicted on multiple federal corruption charges. His trial has been continued twice, with a new date set for this June. Since the indictment, Snyder's first attorney, Thomas Kirsch Jr., has been appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, and Snyder was forced to find new counsel.

Several audience members said they appreciated Snyder's 2017 wrap-up and his plans for the coming year even if their forecasts were not as clear as the mayor's.

"I think the mayor did a great job recapping the successes of 2017 and laying out his vision for 2018 and recognizing all the achievements of the people who are providing services to the residents," said Ryan Smiley, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. "But, I think (the trial) causes everybody a bit of concern, just because of the uncertainty of the situation."

Retired steelworker John Arroyo, president of the Portage Athletic Boosters Club, said he was not aware of the details of Snyder's legal woes, "but, I'm absolutely concerned. I think (Snyder's) been pretty transparent about it, and he now has a new attorney, but we don't know where this is going to go.

"We wish (Snyder) well and hold him and all the other public leaders in prayer to do the right thing."

There were no city council members at the event. Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham, who, like Councilman John Cannon, D-4th, is eyeing the mayor's spot in the 2019 election cycle, also skipped the speech.

Unlike last year, when Snyder made brief comments before turning the podium over to his department heads, the mayor listed a number of business and social successes, like the development of Hannah's Hope Playground, what local officials have called the "first, truly all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities."

Snyder also spoke of the Promenade at Founders Square, a mixed-use retail and residential development towering over an area city leaders have been promoting as Portage's first real downtown center.

Snyder also touted the Central Avenue West project, a multi-stage remake of one of the city's main drags. Beginning at Willowcreek Road, the plan will upgrade the infrastructure, add roundabouts and add a lighted trail to the city's west side.

The mayor began and ended his comments by describing 2018 as the city's "year of courage."

"Portage is courage," Snyder said. "I, my staff, and the people serving you will make sure that this year is, again, one of the most successful years Portage has seen, and we will stand and be strong no matter what is thrown at us."

02152018 - News Article - Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments; says moving into year of courage

Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments; says moving into year of courage
NWI Times
Feb 15, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-touts-staff-accomplishments-says-moving-into-year-of/article_3536d0cf-8759-5612-9eff-fe77fd6bdc56.html

PORTAGE — Mayor James Snyder touted the accomplishments of his administration, praised his staff for their work and took subtle digs at other elected city officials during his State of the City address Thursday.

Snyder also told the crowd at Woodland Park that 2018 would be the "year of courage." The luncheon was sponsored by the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce.

"Portage and its people have a way of working through struggles, seeing the very best in people and always coming out on top. 2018, the year of courage, will be another year that these successes take place," he said.

Snyder said the past year saw private business projects, such as the Holiday Inn Express, Hooters and Promenade at Founders Square, getting "sticks in the ground."

He praised state Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogden Dunes, for her "ingenious" sand replenishment legislation aimed at helping battling erosion at the Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk and announced the upcoming addition of Dombey Lake into the city's park system to provide critical infrastructure to attract "new, good, young families" to the city.

Snyder said the project he's most excited about is the Central Avenue West Project to be kicked off this year, which will be "a mini caricature of Meridian Road north of Indianapolis" with a lighted trail.

He also praised Mike and Mary Martinez for their efforts in raising money for the construction of Hannah's Hope Playground at Founders Square Park, named after their daughter.

"Because of your tragedy, because of your commitment, because of your courage and because of your Hannah, you have made Portage a better place," he said.

He also recognized mother/daughter duo Rosemary and Jessica Garneski who, last month, tackled a suspect in the theft of Jessica Garneski's car earlier in the day.

"There are just some cases we couldn't solve without the courage and tenacity of the Portage people," he said.

He called Portage High School student Kaylee Adams a "Portage star and pioneer," introducing her to the group. Adams won the first women's state wrestling championship.

"Kaylee, Portage is proud of you, your courage and your pioneer spirit," he said.

Snyder's speech was also peppered with subtle remarks about his continuing battle with the Democrat-dominant City Council/Utility Services Board.

Snyder told the audience his team will lead and "has looked past the derision and divisiveness." Speaking about the creation of a general services department, he told the group that inclusion of the utility department was "stalled because of the council take over of the USB."

He also told them the city will have the "courage to see past petty politics."

02152018 - News Article - Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments

Portage mayor touts staff, accomplishments
NWI Times
Feb 15, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/portage-mayor-touts-staff-accomplishments/pdf_a1d5022c-0d3a-5b9b-9d4b-e64c6e4f7250.html

02152018--Portage-Mayor-James-Snyder--2018-State-Of-The-City-Address

02152018 - Portage Mayor James Snyder's 2018 State of the City Address

02152018--Portage-Mayor-James-Snyder--2018-State-Of-The-City-Address

02012018 - News Article - Portage Mayor James Snyder campaign committee expenses include $41K to attorneys, $15K to wife

Portage Mayor James Snyder campaign committee expenses include $41K to attorneys, $15K to wife
NWI Times
February 01, 2018
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/portage-mayor-james-snyder-campaign-committee-expenses-include-k-to/article_820e59ed-8465-5a1d-b8f0-a2396506fd14.html

PORTAGE — Mayor James Snyder raised and spent just over $102,000 last year, according to his campaign finance report filed this week.

Of that, $41,000 went to two attorneys, Thomas Kirsch II, of Chicago, and Jackie Bennett, of Indianapolis, who have been defending him in his federal public corruption case. Kirsch gave up his private practice when he was nominated to become U.S. attorney for northern Indiana.

"I and my city team are very grateful to the people and business who give to my campaign," Snyder said in a written statement. "The federal government is not infallible, but they do have unlimited resources and the media. My campaign funds being spent to protect me and my family pale in comparison to the tax dollars that are being spent to slander someone who has done nothing unlawful or wrong."

Another $15,000 went to his wife for office work.

Snyder said 20 percent of the funds raised through his campaign committee were spent on city functions such as the Christmas parade, Hannah's Playground, other events and "even taking City Council members to dinner."

He also repaid $2,000 of his $10,000 debt to John Cortina, his co-defendant in the federal case. The loan was detailed in Snyder's 2016 finance report.

Snyder's campaign treasurer, Kenard Taylor of Valparaiso, said Cortina routinely contributed $2,000 to Snyder each year to be a part of the mayor's roundtable. However, in 2017, Cortina forgave $2,000 of the $10,000 loan he gave Snyder in 2016 to retain his membership.

The mayor's roundtable, Taylor said, is a group of individuals and businesses who donate $2,000 annually to Snyder's campaign committee in exchange for attending four exclusive events in which they hear a report from Snyder and have a chance to give him input on the city's future.

Brian Howey, publisher of Howey Politics Indiana, said Snyder's financial report seemed a bit unusual.

"There are two levels of scrutiny. One is the donors, if they want their money used to pay his wife or attorneys; the other is the voters, the taxpayers," he said. "If it is legal, I guess it is up to the voters to determine if it is unseemly."

Snyder's committee received donations of $2,000 or more from 26 donors in 2017.

Snyder also received multiple donations from some business owners. John and Paul Marshall, of Crown Point, are principals in both Marshall II Enterprises and Midnight Blue Towing, according to the Indiana secretary of state's website. Together the companies donated a total of $3,000 to Snyder's committee. Similarly, Thomas Collins, of Hobart, is the principal in both Apple Core LLC and Luke Land LLC of Hobart. Donations of $2,000 from each company, or $4,000 in total, were received from Collins through his companies.

Taylor said contribution limitations are only on unions and corporations, adding LLCs have no donation limits.