Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Letter to the Editor: HB1247 backers quite cozy with their friends in the legislature

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I testified in Indianapolis on January 27th in opposition to HB1247. I limited my testimony to historical fact; that the local input process was essential to the original 1933 alcohol commission’s mandate, that the Dunes State Park is at an increased risk of alcohol-related disturbances by proximity to Chicago, and that arrest records indicate that alcohol arrests are now the most frequent issue within the park.

But neither facts nor public will could dissuade these representatives. And unless you were there, if all you had to go by was the transcript, you might miss the menacing truth I feel is at the core.

It was clear as an observer in the room that the representatives had prior relationships to many of the political operatives whose organizations stand to benefit from HB1247. Building trade and tourism representatives were greeted by their first names and allowed to make hearsay statements, cast innuendo and malign the character of opponents.

But even more troubling was the cozy banter between the subcommittee and DNR Director Cameron Clark, inferring he was behaving more like his brother, Murray Clark.

Cameron Clark was recently appointed by Governor Mike Pence.

Later, I learned that his older brother Murray is a downstate GOP real estate and development expert who served as Governor Mitch Daniels’ campaign manager. Murray Clark has a prior social relationship with developer and local GOP official Chuck Williams.

Also socially connected to Williams is lobbyist Jennifer Ping, VP at the Bose McKinney PR firm.

That firm is representing Williams’ ATC appeal through attorney Melissa Coxey, a former ATC commissioner, also appointed by Governor Mike Pence.

I now understand why Indiana is not immune to the growing alienation of voters in America.

The people’s house has become little more than a frat house, filled with willing participants in a charade whose sole purpose is to build empires.

There is no fiscal crisis that has left the Pavilion in a state of ruin that only Chuck Williams can resolve. The truth is political appointees at the DNR have been pulling money from the Dunes State Park for years. Last year alone it generated a half million dollars more than it spent. Those monies went downstate to fund pet projects in other voting districts. To those who stand to profit, and to the chagrin of the professional naturalists who work to protect the dunes, IDSP is a cash cow to be used for political gain.

HB1247 is a bad law. It is a fool’s errand that overturns 85 years of accepted alcohol licensing practice to award personal profit from public land. More importantly, it usurps the will of local voters who had already appealed and stopped a dangerous enterprise through proper channels. And it casts a pall over every community hosting a state park.

Had enough, Duneland? Contact your state senator and say “NO to HB1247!”

Eric Schlene

West Lafayette and

Jackson township landowner

 

 

Posted 2/8/2016

 
 
 
 

 

 

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