Subscribe Today!
Networked Blogs
Jan
9
A government audit raises the question of whether Gary, Indiana will be able to continue operating in light of its financial crisis and current taxation situation. Auditors also found problems with Gary, Indiana’s control of its money, notably credit card purchases weren’t sufficiently documented, reports the Post-Tribune.
From the Post-Tribune report about the 2007 State Board of Accounts audit:
“The amount of budget reductions that would be required for the city to fully implement the current tax legislation raises substantial doubt about the city’s ability to continue as a going concern,” auditors wrote in the report.
The report states that Lake County, Indiana might have to take over government operations if Gary’s fiscal crisis isn’t addressed by the Distressed Unit Board.
Great cities have come and gone throughout history. Is it only a matter of time before Gary, Indiana becomes one of those cities of old that once were?
Comments
8 Responses to “Will Gary Indiana Survive Its Economic Crisis?”
The fate of the “Steel City” lies squarely in the hands, not of Rudy Clay and his minions, but rather of the folk who live and work there.
Unless, and until, they get involved, others will continue to drain the revenue for their in accord with their personal agendas.
It is, indeed, time to stand up and SHOUT, “I am mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore!
The fate of the “Steel City” lies squarely in the hands, not of Rudy Clay and his minions, but rather of the folk who live and work there.
Unless, and until, they get involved, others will continue to drain the revenue for their in accord with their personal agendas.
It is, indeed, time to stand up and SHOUT, “I am mad as hell, and not going to take it anymore!”
Hi Dave,
It seems that people have given up and are voting with their feet. I suspect that Gary, Indiana could end up being taken over by Lake County if the predictions of the state audit are correct. Nobody seems willing to spend a lot of money that may or may not do any good for the people who live in Gary.
If they indeed have given up, and are voting with their feet, it is for one of 2 resons: a) they don’t give a damn, or b) they feel powerless and do not know what else to do.
If the latter, it is a pity, because it seems something(s) can/ought to be done. Gary is not the first good size city to face severe economic hardship, and bounce back. Pittsburgh at one time had a few steel mills close, as I recall. The same may also be said of Cleveland. They are not eyesores and pits. Why not? Are there not lessons to be learned from such examples?
Hi Dave,
I’d like to see Gary make a comeback — it’s got a great location right next to Chicago and Lake Michigan with easy transportation all over the country. Plus, a strong Gary would be a good thing for all of Northwest Indiana as well as the whole state.
I think people move for their own rational reasons — they have been heading south of the city limits for years for better schools and quieter neighborhoods.
It could be time for restructuring the way municipal government works to make it more efficient and responsive so that property taxes can be lowered and so that new urban homesteaders once again seek out life in the city. Throw in some high technology/business development — maybe some sort of incubator could be set up near IU Northwest — and we could see the start of a renaissance.
I’d like to see Gary make it too Chris and Dave. But alas I think the only way it will happen is if the Distressed Unit Board appoints an outside apolitical executive to control all funds for the next four years. If this executive has guts the net result will be a huge problem for Lake County government. They will actually have to pay for jail, more police, more roads (in areas that de-annex), more human and health services. Basically Gary’s power grabs in the past need to be all returned to the county.
Daltonsbriefss last blog post..Top 200 Conservatives in US on twitter
Hi Steve,
We’re already seeing the effects right now. The city jail has been shut down and there was a newspaper article about the city courts possibly being next.
I read an article recently that suggested there might be a need to rethink old urban areas. Maybe decaying houses and buildings need to be raised and efforts to use the land in other ways could be accomplished.
The Urbanophile also has a post along the same lines dealing with older suburbs today.
The squeeze needs to be put in place in Gary. Too many inner workings from within so I think the time has come for a non political business minded organization needs to step in and make the tough decisions to turn the city around.
Chris Sloans last blog post..The Business Behind The Big Game