With Portage mayor out after bribery conviction, city and county officials prepare for a new era
Chicago Tribune
February 14, 2019
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/news/ct-ptb-portage-snyder-reaction-st-0215-story.html
Mayor James Snyder's conviction on two federal felonies Thursday means he automatically forfeits his office, and it reshuffles the local political deck
Local and county officials said it also means the city can finally move forward.
City Council President Sue Lynch. D-At large, took over the mayor's office Thursday afternoon, per state law, until Porter County Republican Chairman Mike Simpson can call a caucus to select a person to fill out Snyder's term. That person can hold the mayor's office until November's general election and a new mayor is inaugurated in early 2020.
“I'm not even looking at this temporary stint (as mayor) as a political thing,” said Lynch, who was elected council president in January. “I just want to help get the city back on an even keel.
“I'm not nervous about doing (the temporary mayoral position), because I'm a full-time council member, so I have insight into the office already.”
Simpson said Indiana code requires the party chairman to hold a party caucus within 30 days of an office holder's ouster from office. The chair also must give potential caucus candidates 10 days, including notice of the event's time and place, to notify people of the opportunity to run for the spot, Simpson said.
As of Tuesday, only Portage Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, expressed interest in entering the party caucus to select a new mayor, Simpson said, a fact Cannon confirmed.
Cannon, who is a candidate for the office in the May primary, said his campaign team already has laid out “a plan for the next four years to come” if he is selected by the caucus and elected in November.
Cannon is the sole Republican candidate for the mayor's spot, while Lynch will face Portage's Economic Development Director Andy Maletta, Clerk-Treasurer Chris Stidham and local businessman Leo Hatch Jr., for the Democratic nomination in May's primary election.
If he is selected by the party caucus to replace Snyder, Cannon said he will work “hand-in-hand” on any new legislation for the remainder of the year.
“It's truly a unique situation,” Cannon said.
In a prepared statement released shortly after Snyder’s conviction was announced, Cannon said due process had been determined in regards to Snyder’s indictment.
“Countless negative headlines have put Portage’s leadership in question,” he said, adding that he’s hopeful that’s over forever.
“It is time for Portage city government to get back to doing what is right. It is time for us to move on and do the people’s work,” he said, adding he will support Lynch “as we move forward, together.”
In a statement released on Facebook, Councilman Collin Czilli, D-5th, said Snyder “has tarnished Portage’s image” but he was confident the citizens will prove Portage is more than one corrupt mayor.
“This is never a day I wanted to see come in our community. This will leave a black mark on Portage’s 50 years of prosperity,” Czilli wrote. “However, I’m comforted by the fact that each elected official is committed to restoring faith in local government and our ability to govern effectively.”
Porter County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, has been an outspoken critic of Snyder’s and called for his resignation shortly after he was indicted in November 2016.
Rivas, whose district includes Portage, said he is glad the city can move forward and rebuild a relationship with the county and other municipalities, “and be the great city that it is.”
“It’s time to move on. I think this was the first step and the November election will be the second step in Portage’s healing,” Rivas said.
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