Republicans swept the Porter County Council at-large race taking all three seats. Incumbent Andy Bozak took the top spot with 19% of the vote, followed by newcomer Michelle Harris with nearly 19%, and Council President Mike Brickner who took 17%.
Incumbent Sylvia Graham, who was seeking her fifth term, took fifth place with 15.25%. “What can I say?” she said Wednesday. “The red wave hit us again. It was there four years ago when Laura Blaney and I were elected, but it was too much for us” this time.
The Republicans and Graham were joined in the field by Democrats Bob DeRuntz, a history teacher at Chesterton High School, and restaurateur Erik Wagner who previously sat on the council for a year when he was caucused in following the death of Bob Poparad. DeRuntz came in fourth with 15.69% and Wagner had 14.17%.
Following years of contention over to what extent the Memorial Opera House should be renovated county officials have of late been dabbling in talk of implementing a public safety tax; making adjustments to the draw on the interest from the sale of the county hospital, discussing the possibility of tapping into the principal; and hearing frustrations from West Porter Township constituents who want a fire protection territory.
All six candidates have expressed support for a West Porter Township Fire Protection Territory. Differences emerged among the candidates on whether to touch the $197 million in principal from the sale of the hospital though such a move is considered a longshot as it requires a unanimous vote from all 10 voting members of the Porter County Foundation, which is made up of the entire council and the three members of the Porter County Board of Commissioners.
Earlier in the campaign season none of the candidates were willing to take a stance on whether they would support a public safety tax and the group continued to hedge throughout the season citing the need for more conversation with the public and commissioners as well as more research so no candidates stood out on that issue.
Bozak, who recently, along with fellow Republican Councilman Andy Vasquez, R-4rd, broke ranks with Brickner and Council Vice President Red Stone, R-1st, to give county employees a 3% raise, has been adamant about reaching across the aisle whether it’s with his fellow county officials or making himself available to constituents. He said it’s clearly a message well received by voters.
He said competitors raised more money than he’s ever seen in his years in politics. “That’s a very scary thing to go up against,” he said. “It just goes to show you don’t have to have a ton of cash to win an election.”
He’d like to see the needs of cities and towns about a possible public safety tax put at the forefront of council focus in 2025. “Nobody wants to vote for a tax, but if we’re looking at some serious needs in the communities we need to help them,” Bozak said.
Harris was disturbed the county doesn’t have a master plan and said during campaigning that if elected she would want to see one implemented with goals for one, three, and five years out by the end of 2025. She said Wednesday that will continue to be her goal come January.
“I want to make sure that we are strategic in our spending,” Harris said. The English and digital media teacher at Valparaiso High School said that while looking at the big picture can feel overwhelming, “we can’t let a year go by.”
She plans to push her fellow council members to identify the top three things that need to be addressed immediately, and then do that again for three years out, and so on. “I think the other people on the council who know me, I am a doer. I am not a sayer,” she added.
Graham, the woman she will be replacing, hopes the public will give Harris some grace. “There’s going to be a learning curve, and people should give them some slack,” she said. “There are challenges ahead and I hope that first of all they acknowledge those challenges and do what they have to do to serve the county the best,” Graham said.
She’s proud of her record for the past 16 years “all while keeping the taxes low. I feel as if I’ve been a big help.”
Brickner could not be reached for comment.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
