Stevenson Supports Griffith Secession

State Representative Dan Stevenson (D-Highland) recently announced his support of Griffith’s attempts to withdraw from Calumet Township.

Stevenson, who plans to revive efforts to abolish all 1,008 Indiana townships, told constituents he also will file legislation allowing any community to take a binding vote on severing ties with its township. Current law requires a referendum throughout the taxing unit seeking to reorganize, meaning Griffith residents would have to convince their Gary neighbors to let them leave Calumet Township.

Townships in Indiana exist to provide poor relief in their communities and, in larger counties, assist with property tax assessment. Paying taxes to Calumet Township, which includes Gary, one of the poorest communities in the state, I can understand why Griffith residents feel that they are getting the short end of the stick.

But I find much more interesting the idea of abolishing Indiana townships and transferring the services that they offer to the county.

Here in Lake County, North Township was a pit of corruption and cronyism, a place where federal prosecutors handed out indictments. In fairness, I should say that Township Trustee Frank Mrvan is making an effort to change all of that.

I can’t speak for the other townships but based on my experiences in Lake County, I say good riddance and bravo Representative Stevenson.