Elgin defends Cal Township

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| Tuesday, July 17, 2007 | (22 comment(s))

Times Staff Report

Griffith's leading secessionist, Republican Town Councilman Rick Ryfa, is hawking political "snake oil," says Mary Elgin, Calumet Township trustee.

Ryfa's proposal to pull Griffith from Calumet Township or abolish the township form of government is "purely political," she says in a guest commentary for The Times. Elgin objects to Ryfa's demand that Griffith's residents stop paying taxes for programs linked to unemployment and poverty in Gary, which makes up most of the township. Griffith gets what it needs, she says.

"What's wrong with Ryfa? Is he truly insensitive and un-Christian?" she asks.

"Or is he just trying to make political hay?"

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Democratic backing wrote on Jul 18, 2007 10:36 AM:

" Let's get Mary Elgin to comment about the town council democrats supporting Griffith leaving Calumet Township. Stan commented in the town board meeting that this has been talked about for 20 years. This is a total embarrasemnt to the votors of Griffith. If the demcocrats have been talking about this for years, how surprising that they now want to get involved. It's time for Elgin to be held accountable. Show us your salary & salary of everyone working there, along with how they are related to you. What are you afraid of? "

One more small voice wrote on Jul 18, 2007 8:07 AM:

" North Townships portion of of Highland is tax bill is hundreds of dollars lower then Calumet portion of Griffiths. For years I've wondered why. Look at Black Oak, what has Calumet Township ever done for that town. I'm a Christian Democrat who voted for Ryfa because I thought he could get something done for the people of Griffith, and I'm glad he opened up this can of worms. Griffith citizens lets rally around this the way we rally around our football team. Make some changes so we can keep our houses off the tax sale. "

Smallz wrote on Jul 17, 2007 10:40 PM:

" what does "Un-Christian" have do to with anything? Maybe Mr. Ryfa is of another religion? Maybe he worships the sun, moon and stars.... None of which matters. Mary Elgin had nothing better to say then to attack Mr. Ryfa personally. Thought she was out of grade school and professional enough to be above name calling. Guess I'd resort to childlike behavior if there was a chance of my fat salary being cut, or having a cheaper take home car. The only repercussion for leaving Cal Township is, Cal Township will no longer get our 3.5 million a year. And on the plus side with that money they may actually fix that damn railrod crossing on Main St. "

Taxpayer wrote on Jul 17, 2007 10:27 PM:

" I would like to know as a taxpayer in Calumet Township what are the salaries of Trustee Elgin and her staff. How many vacation days, sick days, personal days do they receive yearly. Do these days roll over. Do they receive cell phones, cars, gas milage. Do they recieve health and dental. I would also like to know the salaries and perks all the other township officials and their respective staffs receive. They are public officials and their staffs work for the public and their salaries and perks should be made public for all to see. I would also like to know what percentage of my taxes actuality go the the needy people of Calumet Township. Is it 30%, 50%, 100%. What is it, does anyone know. "

Typical Gary politics wrote on Jul 17, 2007 4:03 PM:

" The Gary politicians are trying to turn the Griffith people against councilman Ryfa because they are afraid they will lose out on money to fund their fat payrolls. I seen this rheoric for 40+ years. We should have never fell for it during the 1970's and you people in Griffith had better not fall for this trap again "

jim from griffith wrote on Jul 17, 2007 2:26 PM:

" yeah i'm unsensitive, too. let's stop wasting my money in gary. next thing they'll say is were racist. just wait. "

Former Griffith Resident wrote on Jul 17, 2007 2:16 PM:

" There is only one reason that a politician would oppose Griffith gaining independence, and that is that it removes a disproportionate amount of funding in relation to those getting benefits. That of course is what Griffith Residents are keenly aware of, and why they want out of the corrupt system that has drained them dry. Petty, pathetic Gary politics have been allowed to ruin Northwest Indiana for years--decades in fact. It is about time someone stood up against that. Gary is nothing less than a wasted opportunity that has trapped a lot of good people. The poor of Northwest Indiana don't need "aid" they need a government that isn't dedicated to the corrupt status quo. They need a government that will move forward and capitalize on the fantastic resources we have available and help put the great citizens of the area to work instead of helping to keep them in poverty. It seems people have finally set their sights on the failed political systems that have helped ruin so much of Lake County. "

Question - somebody please answer !!!! wrote on Jul 17, 2007 1:52 PM:

" Does anyone know how much money Mary Elgin makes and what kind of take home car she drives. Does she have any realtives working at the township and, if so, how much do they make? Do they also get take home cars? "

Elgin is out of line wrote on Jul 17, 2007 1:46 PM:

" Ryfa should sue Mary Elgin for defamation of Character by calling him un-Christian. As penalty when she loses, the township should be forced to actually give out more money to the poor than they keep for themselves. "

Wondering wrote on Jul 17, 2007 1:12 PM:

" Does anyone know what MAry Elgin's salary is...just wondering. "

Woodlawn homeowner wrote on Jul 17, 2007 12:57 PM:

" Hey Woodlawn People, there are 27 of you homeowners who's entire tax bill goes to pay Mary Elgin's $135,000 a year salary. She makes more money than the governor of Indiana. How does running a township justify more dough than running a state? "

to smallz wrote on Jul 17, 2007 11:26 AM:

" That will never happen b/c she knows what the figures are. And winner...to wait 8 hours for help is inexcuseable and unacceptable. "

Dear Mary Elgin wrote on Jul 17, 2007 10:43 AM:

" Griffith residents wish to save our community. This is a decision made based on our respective survival instincts. It has nothing to do with race and religion. I know there are good people in Gary, but us Griffith residents are doing to all we can to get our town back. We have empty store fronts, rough roads, for sale signs all over town, a flooding problem, and an appalling increase in crime, and it is time we do something about the problem. If it is anyone to blame for this, blame the Griffith dems. They sat back, made excuses, and watched us deteriorate and did Nothing. Ryfa has been elected by us to restore the glory in our town. We are sick and tired of paying the highest tax dollars in the region, and not getting any of it in return. So I advise YOU to come up with a plan on how you are going to feed the residents of Gary when Griffith pulls out of Calumet Township, because we are sick and tired of feeding you with our silver spoon. "

Smallz wrote on Jul 17, 2007 9:50 AM:

" In the whole article she can only come up with one instance where the cal township has helped Griffith. Maybe we should disban our fire dept and ambulance service (not really just playing devil's advocate) and rely on the township to provide the service for us. Then when emergency services take over an hour to respond, the people can sue the township. Im sure Mary Elgin can deal with that. Why doesn't Elgin just release the official figures to the paper and we can see who is really benefiting here. "

2nd District State Senate Election wrote on Jul 17, 2007 9:24 AM:

" Mary Elgin is sponsoring Lonnie Randolph as a candidate for State Senate to make sure Griffith remains in tax bondage to Calumet Township. "

Town Meeting wrote on Jul 17, 2007 9:18 AM:

" TOWN MEETING TONIGHT TO HELP FREE US FROM CALUMET SUCK US DRY TOWNSHIP.... "

To Mary Elgin wrote on Jul 17, 2007 9:02 AM:

" If we our going to point fingers here about what is wrong with Gary, Griffith and Ryfa are not the problem. Gary's corruption filled government is, of which you are a part of. Not very Christian, in my opinion. "

sounds like a winner to me wrote on Jul 17, 2007 8:57 AM:

" Yes! Certaintely this is a political move... However, the position that Mr. Ryfa, has taken is not without merit.."why pay into a system for programs that are linked to unemployment and proverty for the people in Gary". But think about this... the Trustee services are not predicated on the number but instead on the need factor...Gary, is larger than Griffith but that is not reason enough to withdraw from paying your taxes.. because the people of Griffith use the services as do the people Gary... Mrs Elgin, you should take a serious look at your staff... they fall short in people skills a day at the trustees office is filled with abuses... people are stripped of their dignity and respect.. You have them lineing up as early as 4:00 a.m. in the morning outside of the office two to three hours before the doors are opened and many don't get served until 2:00 p.m. that afternoon and often times when they see a case worker they are told that they don't have all the necessary paperwork.. "

nwi wrote on Jul 17, 2007 8:56 AM:

" The Dems have let this nonsense go on for years b/c they could not stand up to Gary b/c of the political money flow. They sat silent when they knew all along this was wrong. Ms. Elgins insinuation of being non christian is way off base what is not christian is putting money in your pocket that should be going to the poor plain and simple. When the United Way can collect 1 dollar and give back 85 cents that is why we are sick and tired. "

Numbers Don't Lie wrote on Jul 17, 2007 8:33 AM:

" The reality is 12% of our property taxes go to Calumet Township. Only 5% of Gary's property taxes go to Calumet Township. This is the truth. How is this fair for Griffith homeowner's? Mrs. Elgin, this is not political and it's not racial - it is pure economics. We get no return on our investment so we want to move our money to another "bank" - our bank. That is the truth. Don't turn this into an issue that it isn't. Stick with the facts. "

To Mary Elgin wrote on Jul 17, 2007 8:10 AM:

" You can go ahead and say this is a political move, but in all reality, our town has been suffering at the hands of the township for many years. Mr. Ryfa has reached out to the RESIDENTS of this town because this is what we've screamed about for years. It just a Republican to finally stand up and try and do something about it. And by the way, the employees in your office need a class in how to treat people when they walk through your office door. "

concerned Griffith Property Owner wrote on Jul 17, 2007 8:00 AM:

" A lot of Griffith residents feel their town sinking due to all the taxes we pay when compared to nearby towns and we need to stop the bleeding ASAP. No doubt this is going to cause some pain - but the time has come for changes. "

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