Make LaPorte Great Again

01/09/2026

City of LaPorte water treatment plant has issues. Pretty solid streak of non-compliance since 2023, 10 of last 12 quarters with violations. But the Mayor will say all is good, nothing to see or worry your pretty little heads about. Luckily, EPA deals in facts. ;)

01/09/2026

Recent EPA compliance data shows the City of LaPorte wastewater treatment plant has experienced permit violations in recent quarters, including for ammonia and bacteria. This doesn’t mean the system is broken, but it does show that capacity alone isn’t the issue. Performance and compliance matter—especially when a new industrial project proposes sending wastewater into that system.

01/06/2026

Congratulations! Adam Koronka and Brett Kessler were elected for another year as president and vice president of the LaPorte County Council.

Access LaPorte County Media

01/04/2026

01/02/2026

📊 LaPorte County’s 2026 Budget: Why You’re Hearing $1M, $3M, and $6M Deficit Numbers

Several residents have asked why they keep hearing different numbers about the county’s budget shortfall—$1 million, $3 million, even $6 million. After reviewing the county’s own budget documents and discussing them with a County Council member, here’s what the documents actually show.

First: the General Fund
According to the State-reviewed 1782 Notice (the final budget numbers after DLGF review), the General Fund is budgeted to spend about $1.3 million more than it brings in during 2026.
That gap is covered by using money already in the bank, reducing the General Fund cash balance from about $14.0M to $12.7M.

This is why some officials claim the budget is "balanced"—because the county does not finish the year with a negative bank balance.

But here’s the key distinction:

Revenues less than expenses: Not balanced
Ending cash balance: Still positive
Those are two very different things.

Second: EMS funding
EMS expenses (about $5.1 million) were removed from the General Fund in anticipation of a new EMS LIT tax. That tax failed.
As shown on Form 4B, the EMS fund has no adopted revenue and no adopted spending—meaning the cost still exists, but it is currently unfunded.

County Council has indicated it is very likely those EMS costs will be added back into the General Fund.

If that happens without a new revenue source, the effective General Fund shortfall becomes:

~$1.3M (existing General Fund gap)
~$5.1M (EMS costs added back)
= about $6.4M funded by reserves

Third: The issue extends beyond just the General Fund.
The same 1782 Notice shows multiple other funds—including Highway, Health, Major Bridge, and CCD—also budgeted to spend more than they bring in, relying on reserves to cover the difference.

So what’s the real issue?
The real issue is not whether the county currently has sufficient funds. It’s about whether recurring expenses exceed recurring revenues.

Spending down reserves can work short term. Doing it year after year is not sustainable.

Bottom line:

Calling the budget “balanced” depends on how you define the word.

If “balanced” means revenues cover expenses, it isn’t.

If “balanced” means we still have money left in the bank, then yes—for now.

Residents deserve to understand the difference.

12/24/2025

For those who may not know, Jody is the lead researcher behind this page. MLGA operates as a small watchdog group. Most of what we publish is based on his work. The memes and occasional snark come from other contributors—sometimes you need a little levity to keep people paying attention.

For years, Jody has done the unglamorous work: reading documents most people never see, tracking spending most people never hear about, and showing up when it would have been easier not to. He didn’t set out looking for a title or a political career. Once he fully understood how broken the system is, walking away stopped being an option. Accountability became a responsibility.

Jody made the decision to run for LaPorte County Commissioner on October 5 and has spent the past several months building this campaign the right way. As of today, the campaign is public—and he has the full support of many, including this watchdog group.

https://Vote4Jody.com

https://www.facebook.com/Vote4JodyLPC

12/21/2025

They say you can only see the lights if you still believe in Santa. 🫣

12/21/2025

We’ve now seen multiple La Porte County buildings closed or disrupted this winter because heating systems failed.

That’s not about weather. Indiana winters aren’t a surprise.

In any well-run organization, critical systems like HVAC are inspected, tested, and stress-checked before cold weather arrives. Preventive maintenance and replacement planning are basic management—not emergencies.

Yet instead of catching problems early, we keep seeing the same pattern: systems fail, buildings close, and the county declares an “emergency.”

Once something is labeled an emergency, normal state bidding rules don’t apply. Contracts can be issued immediately, without competition. That exception exists for true emergencies—fires, floods, sudden catastrophic failures—not problems that routine maintenance should have caught months earlier.

When government jumps from one “emergency” to the next, it stops looking like bad luck and starts looking like a leadership problem.

Running public facilities in constant crisis mode is expensive, inefficient, and convenient for the same vendors who always seem to receive the call. It avoids planning, it avoids accountability, and it avoids transparency.

Public buildings shouldn’t be managed this way.
Emergency procurement should be rare—not routine.

That’s not politics.
That’s basic competence.

12/18/2025

When you speak truth to power and fight for everyday families—the ones just trying to pay the mortgage, keep the lights on, and raise their kids—the establishment will come after you.

They'll call you immoral. Label you a criminal. Launch sham investigations to destroy your reputation.

Jennifer-Ruth Green just proved they can't break you when you stand on integrity.

A decorated combat veteran who dedicated her life to service faced a politically motivated witch hunt—9 fabricated charges, all designed to tear her down. The OIG investigation collapsed when faced with actual evidence.

The settlement speaks volumes: minor administrative violations (a page, an approved state vehicle) became a media circus orchestrated by vindictive bureaucrats.

I know this playbook firsthand. I have personally experienced false accusations and slander stemming from my Facebook posts and endorsements of specific candidates.

Challenge the status quo, hold power accountable, and fight for the commoners—and they'll weaponize every tool at their disposal to silence you.

Jennifer-Ruth walked away with her integrity intact. The investigation against me closed in October 2023, with no evidence of wrongdoing.

Hoosiers now have a clear choice: believe a veteran who serves the people, or believe political hacks motivated by petty grievance and career advancement.

Keep fighting the good fight, JRG. 🇺🇸

12/15/2025

JOHN MCCAW FOUND GUILTY!

PRESS RELEASE:
On December 4, 2025, John McCaw was found Guilty of Murder in Laporte Circuit Court. Mr. McCaw had a bench trial overseen by Senior Judge Alevizos. Evidence was presented over a 4 day trial, after which Judge Alevizos found Mr. McCaw guilty of Murder. Mr. McCaw was charged in August 2022 for the death of Nancy Ainsworth. Sentencing for Mr. McCaw will be held later in December.

Prosecuting Attorney Sean Fagan said: “John McCaw murdered Nancy Ainsworth. The State of Indiana proved this beyond a reasonable doubt. I want to thank my talented Deputies: Autumn Ferch, Katie Arnold, and Cody Luke, for bringing this case to a successful outcome.”

Prosecuting Attorney Fagan continued: “This case had fits and starts in coming to trial: Different defense counsel, a jury versus a bench trial, you name it. Mr. McCaw ultimately exercised his constitutional right to represent himself, but the State of Indiana successfully met its burden of proof. As always, without the cooperation of the Laporte City Police Department, led by Chief Matt Drangmeister, we would not have had the solid evidence to prove our case.”

12/15/2025

***Press Release
***For immediate release
***
La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney Issues Strong Stance Against Unprotected Data Center Development

La Porte County, Indiana – December 14, 2025 –

La Porte County Commissioner Joe Haney today issued a forceful statement reaffirming his commitment to protecting residents, homes, and vital natural resources from the potential negative impacts of data center developments.

Responding to widespread constituent concerns and persistent rumors of data center interest in Northwest Indiana, Commissioner Haney emphasized the serious risks posed by such facilities, including massive electricity demands, excessive water consumption, light pollution, and the proliferation of diesel generators for backup power.

"I share the deep concerns of our residents about these impacts, and I will not compromise on their protection," Haney declared. "There are currently no pending data center applications before La Porte County offices, but I am aware that several companies are exploring opportunities in the region."

Commissioner Haney stated unequivocally: "I flatly oppose any data center development near homes or in areas that could threaten our critical water tables, which families and farmers depend on for wells and irrigation. Protecting our residential neighborhoods and water resources is non-negotiable."

While acknowledging that a data center might—under extraordinarily rigorous conditions—be feasible within the existing Kingsbury Industrial Park, Haney stressed that he would only consider supporting such a project under the most stringent protections, restrictions, and guardrails imaginable.

Haney also strongly criticized the practice of offering excessive tax incentives to multibillion-dollar corporations, pointing to deals in nearby communities like Michigan City. "I will not support giving away the store to these companies at the expense of La Porte County taxpayers," he said. He noted that the County has no authority over developments within incorporated cities such as La Porte or Michigan City.

"I will vigilantly monitor any data center activity in unincorporated La Porte County and ensure residents are immediately informed of any new filings, giving them full opportunity to voice opposition and remonstrate," Haney pledged.

Commissioner Haney's stance underscores an unwavering priority: safeguarding the health, quality of life, and economic interests of La Porte County residents above unchecked industrial expansion.

***

12/11/2025