First and Last Name
Jim Biggs
Campaign Phone
219-331-9718
I hold a Master of Science degree in Public Safety Administration and a Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement Management.
I have served a total of 16 years on the Porter County Board of Commissioners, and 5 years as a member of the Porter County Council.
1. I will continue to represent a conservative approach to helping manage the affairs of the Porter County Government.
2. I will continue to make myself and the office I was elected to available to the residents of our county.
3. Continue to hold myself to high moral and ethical standards which the residents have come to expect from the public offices that I have held.
I will continue to support policies and practices that best reflect the highest standards of transparency and public access to Porter County government affairs.
I will continue to publish my contact information as I have done since entering elected public office. In addition, I will continue to make myself available to our residents as I have done since entering elected public office.
It is not within the county commissioner's authority to regulate or manage housing opportunities within the unincorporated areas of our county. Commissioners can more directly affect the issue by helping keep taxes low, our streets and neighborhoods safe from crime, and our country roads and bridges in good working order. In addition, our services that are rendered by Porter Country government must continue to be accessible and useful to our residents.
Our county government should support any effort that makes our county a healthier place to live, work, and raise our families. The health of our natural environment within our county should also be considered to be paramount to the quality of life here in our county.
The voters of Porter County have elected me to public office on 6 different occasions. I appreciate the trust they have shown me, and how I have represented them as well as the institution of Porter County government throughout the many years that I have served them.
First and Last Name
Dane Lafata
Campaign Phone
12193315942
Campaign Address and Email
DaneLafata@yahoo.com
I have served 8 years on the Chesterton Town Council and have been president of the council. I also serve on the Chesterton Redevelopment Commission, Plan Commission, and Tax Abatement Committee. I am a past president of the Redevelopment Commission and Tax Abatement Committee. I served as a liaison to the building department, park department, street department, and wastewater utility. My extensive experience with local government has made me ready to serve on the Board of Commissioners with leadership that can be trusted. I have an accounting degree and I have been the treasurer for Liberty Rec Baseball & Softball and Chesterton Wrestling Club for several years. I am married to Lacey and have two daughters, Charis and Athena.
My top 3 priorities will be to ensure the well-being of the county employees, spend tax dollars effectively, and maintain transparency. I plan to conduct a salary study to ensure that the county employees are appropriately paid, similar to what we did in Chesterton. I will also arrange meetings with employees to listen to their issues and concerns. It is essential that we have happy employees, as they are the backbone of any organization. Losing good employees results in additional costs to the taxpayers, and we can't afford it. I understand the importance of budgeting and responsible spending.I will closely scrutinize the county's expenses to ensure that we maintain the lowest tax rate in Indiana while providing the best possible service
In order for government to work effectively, it must be transparent and accountable to the people it serves. That's why I will be hosting town hall-style meetings at least twice a year. During these meetings, I will listen to your concerns, answer any questions, and provide updates on what is happening in the county. I also believe that it's important for the residents of Porter County to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. That's why, when the Commissioners have a significant vote coming up, I will host additional town hall-style meetings to gather feedback and input from the community. Because at the end of the day, it's your voice that matters most, and I am committed to ensuring that it is heard loud and clear.
As an elected official, it's my duty to be accessible to the people I represent. I believe in making it easy for residents to reach out to me, and I'm committed to doing just that. To ensure accessibility, I will take two steps. First, I'll post my office hours at the County Building, so that everyone knows when they can come and talk to me. Second, I'll be available on my cell phone at 219-331-5942, so that residents can reach me by call or text. I believe that being available to the people is the cornerstone of democracy, and I'm committed to being just a phone call away from the people of Porter County.
Together, we can address the affordable housing crisis and ensure that our community remains a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone. The Northwest Indiana Forum, in collaboration with IU Northwest and the Northwest Indiana Realtors Association, is conducting a regional housing study. I eagerly await this study's results and will work with everyone to find solutions to this crisis. Additionally, I will examine the county's zoning regulations and fight to open them up to encourage more comprehensive housing options. This will create more opportunities for residents to find affordable housing. Finally, I will ensure that residents of Porter County are informed about state and federal programs that can assist with affordable housing.
Local governments play a crucial role in protecting the environment. As state-level environmental protection efforts have decreased, it's now up to local governments to take action. Firstly, we must ensure that state and federal regulators fulfill their responsibilities. Secondly, we can use zoning regulations to prioritize environmental protection. Finally, we need to ensure that the companies we attract to invest in Porter County share our environmental protection goals.
For the past 15 years, I have been successfully running a small business where thousands of clients have sought me to minimize their tax payments. My expertise and dedication have earned their trust, and now I am running for the position of Porter County Commissioner for the North District. I am committed to bringing this same level of excellence and attention to detail to the people of Porter County. By electing me as your commissioner, you can rest assured that I will tirelessly work to help you keep your hard-earned money in your pocket. Join me in this mission to create a brighter future for our community.
