Returning Calumet Township Assessor Jackie Collins said she plans to retain the staff at the office even though a group of employees threw their support publicly behind her challenger for the position.
Collins defeated former Chief of Staff Sondra Ford for the post during a Feb. 22 caucus to replace the late Assessor Cozey Weatherspoon. Weatherspoon, who was elected in 2022, died unexpectedly Jan. 23.
“I don’t have a chief of staff,” Collins said when asked about any restructuring.
Collins was seated by a 26-17 margin over Ford, who defended a letter of support for her candidacy signed by 13 of the office’s 20 staff members.
Ford is no longer with the office, Collins said. Following the caucus, Collins said Ford requested a letter of termination, which she received Monday via email. The letter also was sent via certified mail.
“Everything has gone smoothly. I had the staff welcome me back,” Collins said. She said she hired almost all of the workers in the office including Ford when she last worked in the office.
“I know them like they know me. I’ve never been a vindictive person. I’ve never been a person to retaliate. I don’t hold anything against anybody. I just want to come in and do my job. Life is way too short,” Collins said.
The one change she has made so far in the office is moving the commercial department to the front of the office and the residential department toward the back. She also has hired a new bookkeeper.
“If I give a 110%, I’m just asking them to give 100%,” Collins said.
Lake County Assessor LaTonya Spearman said she is looking forward to working with Collins to address the unique challenges presented in Calumet Township.
“The city of Gary has seen increases in real estate values since the recession in 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic. In a community such as Gary where there’s great disparity between housing quality, repair and use, these values can be easily overlooked,” Spearman said.
During the past year she and Weatherspoon sought to better understand the challenges of a rapidly changing market.
“Our data suggest that this is no longer an anomaly but the norm,” Spearman said.
She said she looks forward to rejoining forces with Collins to ensure that the assessments reflect current market conditions.
“Our offices will continue to work together to provide fair and accurate assessments for the future growth of our city,” Spearman said.