February 15, 2001

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF LAKE

TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS

Now that George Bush is our president, I would like to express my concerns on several important matters. First, his program will surely increase interest rates and increase inflation that will negate any tax cut he gives us.

It is time that all members of the United States Congress put aside their differences and do something for every person in the United States that will have a tremendous and positive effect on our countries standing and turn us into the financial power in the world.

The national debt stands at $5.6 trillion dollars. We are paying between $350 to $360 billion dollars in interest every year, that's right $350 to $360 billion dollars a year in interest. This is more money that the national defense budget and six times more than the federal government spends on education and training annually.

If the national debt were paid off, interest rates would fall and our taxes would be cut with out any negative effects. It is time that our national leaders are accountable for their financial activities just as you and I. Self discipline must be shown by our leadership.

Hopefully no new spending programs, pork barrel spending or tax cuts will be initiated until the national debt is paid off. This must be the highest priority of President Bush's and congress. We could return to being the financial power of the world and would leave our children and grandchildren much better off than we could of dreamed possible ten years ago.

BUSH"S SURPLUS PLAN

Tax Deduction - Average $1600.00 reduction annually for a family of four. This does nothing to reduce the $5.6 trillion national debt. This plan will most likely increase interest rates and escalate inflation.

THE BEST POSSIBLE SURPLUS PLAN

National Debt - We currently have a $5.6 trillion dollar national debt that we will leave for our children and grandchildren. We pay $350 to $360 billion per year in interest payments. If we pay off this national debt, the average tax deduction annually for a family of four would then be a minimum of $5,150.00. Compare that to President Bush's plan.

This plan would:
A. Lower taxes.
B. Lower inflation.
C. Lower interest rates and return the United States of America to being the financial power of the world.

Please write to you Congressman, and President Bush if you think this plan has merit. Just think $350 to $360 billion a year available for education, fighting drugs, infrastructure instead of going to pay interest on our national debt. This makes for sound management.

Next is the issue of illegal drugs, which are causing our Criminal Justice system to expand, monopolizing a major portion of local budgets. We must declare war on drug dealers, finding a place away from society where they will be incarcerated for life without parole. Without severe punishment, they will continue to ignore the law. We must change our laws to force them out of business and put them in prison for life. The poisoning of our future generation must be stopped now.

Another pressing issue is our dependence on foreign oil. Time and time again, we have been told that there will not be a new oil crisis but now we are going through another ridiculous price fixing of gas. We must eliminate our dependence on oil from foreign countries who are supposedly our friends. We are actually buying their friendship. Open up the Alaskan Pipeline to the United States citizens and businesses.

Paying off our national debt would also help keep manufacturing jobs in the United States. Major companies do not have the commitment needed to stay in our country. They give many lame excuses for leaving our country due to high costs. This is interesting because when they move out of our country to reduce labor cost, they retail their products here without a reduction in price. What these companies are doing is depriving our citizens of a livable wage and the quality of life that they have committed to and worked for. Lake County, Indiana, has the most qualified labor force in the United States because they are union -organized, trained, and skilled. It is time that the companies in this country be sent a message. We need a tax on every piece of merchandise sent back and resold in our country when relocated out side our boundaries. I am asking you that when you buy any product to check where it is made and request "made in the USA".

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we must consider education. Let us give our children the modern methods of education. Our leadership can initiate quality education and accountability. This should happen from pre-school through high school. Second best is not cutting it in our global market. Today we must advance to the 21st Century and use the talents of our professional teachers in the world economy. There is so much to be done. Losing even one day is shameful.

Gerry J. Scheub

LAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONER
SCHERERVILLE, IN 46375

 February 1, 2002

Statement of the President of the

Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake

Gerry J. Scheub

regarding the

Reassessment

For forty years the State of Indiana has seen fit to give township assessors (1008 total) a very wide latitude in assessing property. Over the years, the eleven townships in Lake County were assessed in such an inconsistent manner that the discrepancies in assessing were so obvious that everyone knew of the tremendous differences.

The state, however, turned their backs and did nothing to correct the inconsistencies. 

• They had the sole authority to set stringent standards for all townships to follow.
• They had the final say in approving all reassessments.
• They stood by and did nothing.

Under continuous pressure, the state finally ordered an independent reassessment to correct the failures of forty years. 

• They took it upon themselves to set up a contract with a special outside firm.
• They said they would pay for the reassessment.
• They hired Arthur Andersen to do the reassessment.
• The price tag is $25 Million, or approximately four times the cost of current reassessment.
• Arthur Andersen has no prior experience in assessing property.
• After the contract was signed, the state decided Lake County should pay the $25 Million.

As President of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, I attended a meeting in Indianapolis on Monday, January 28, 2002. The purpose of the meeting was to determine how Lake County would pay for the reassessment.  As of this date…

• I have not seen any reassessment contract.
• The Board of Commissioners -- Commissioner Frances DuPey, Commissioner Rudolph Clay and I have not signed any reassessment contract obligating the taxpayers.

Yet, the state insists that the Board of Commissioners sign any and all claims presented on behalf of Arthur Andersen under this unseen contract agreement. This is in direct contrast to the law which requires a binding contract be signed by all parties before payment can be made legally!

I informed the State of Indiana that they signed the contract, they initiated the contract, and as originally stated – they should pay for the reassessment!

Due to numerous factors, the financial state of our county is currently bleak. As a county we are not in any position to pay $25 Million for a reassessment whose initial responsibility lies with the state. Furthermore, I would never have voted to approve this contract as the cost is not only exorbitant, it is insulting!

I am not arguing the need for change. Currently we have approximately 6,000 home owners paying zero property taxes.

ü       Lake County needs to have a fair and equitable assessment for all property owners!

ü       The State of Indiana needs to change the laws to ensure fairness in that every property owner pay a portion of the total tax needs!

I realize there is a desperate need for a reassessment, but we must be assured it is a complete and accurate procedure done by a firm with the expertise necessary to give the taxpayers of Lake County, Indiana, a fair shake without robbing them in exchange.

Until we have such assurances, I will not sign any claim which will obligate Lake County’s taxpayers to pay for a contract its Commissioners never signed and never had any opportunity to consider.

Gerry J. Scheub, President

Lake County Board of Commissioners