The Times from Munster, Indiana • 72

PIG I m'RDfflf, FEBRUARY 22, 2003 Rudy Clay withdraws from Gary mayor's race 1 Municipal election filings closed Friday, revealing who's in, out. BY BRIAN SHIELDS Times Staff Writer iy 1 and all it does is enhance the incumbent," said Clay of his bloc's desire to have King replaced. "So someone had to have some common sense, and I decided to step aside." Georgia Blumenberg, wife of Calumet Township Assessor Booker Blumenberg, also withdrew, three days after filing to fill the mayor's seat. The remaining Democratic challengers to King include Karen Freeman-Wilson, Douglas Grimes, Roosevelt Allen and Michael "Uncle Mike" Gantz. Clay thinks his withdrawal will free up more votes for whomever the next strongest challenger to King is.

He also said he did not quit because his candidate in the Gary city clerk caucus, Lake County Recorder Morris Carter, lost to King-backed Suzette Raggs in a battle to finish out former Clerk Katie Hall's term. "In a crowded race, it's going to be difficult for any one of them to win, but not impossible," Clay said. "It was impossible with me in there as the best candidate. "That's the first time I've ever signed a withdrawal slip, and it's painful. I didn't even know what a withdrawal slip looked like." Clay and 32 other candidates became acquainted with the withdrawal process Friday, though some candidates got out of one race to get into another.

This was especially true in East Chicago, where a total of 17 candidates filed to run for office Friday. City Council hopefuls Roberto Garcia and Adrian Santos were among those who switched; Garcia now is seeking the 5th District council bid after initially filing for an at-large seat, while Santos is shooting for the 1st District spot after dumping his at-large aspirations. Lake County Sheriff's Cmdr. Miguel "Mike" Arredondo, who lost to new Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez in November, filed Friday to run for East Chicago city clerk in one of the few other surprises of the final day. Lake County Democratic Chairman Stephen "Bob" CROWN POINT It's usually no surprise hen a slew of candidates either get in or get out of primary races on the last day of filing.

But when Lake County Commissioner Rudy Clay, widely considered the strongest challenger to incumbent Gary Mayor Scott King, decides to withdraw, the news tends to spread like wildfire, people not quite believing their ears. "Did Rudy withdraw?" was the question of the morning in the Lake County Government Center. While everyone else squeezed into the narrow hallway near the Election Board offices like sardines in a can, waiting to see the action, Clay held court in a quiet corner, telling people the news. "First of all, there are too many challengers in the race, JOHN LUKE THE TIMES Rudy Clay, former candidate for Gary mayor, withdraws his candidacy Friday at the Election Board in the Lake County Government Center. Stiglich walked near the thin- Stiglich's ear about the hub- "That's the bottom line." ning crowd about a half-hour bub.

after the noon deadline and "Well, this was the day we Brian Shields can be reached shook hands with Morris were going to see who was in or at bshieWsnwitimes.corn Carter. Other candidates bent who was out," Stiglich said, or (219) 662-5331. PORTER COUNTY FILINGS Juror no-shows called on carpet Chesterton Judge demands explanation for absence and threatens fines, jail. BY MARK KIESLING Times Staff Writer Donna Pfister with, the Porter County jury administrator's office said the county has not had a problem with postponing trials due to juror no-shows. "We've come close, very close," she said.

"But it hasn't happened yet." Pfister said the judges can impose sanctions like those being considered in Lake County, but because there has not been a problem they have not done so. Goldman said not to sanction scofflaw jurors is a slap in the face to jurors who appear and take the job seriously. "We want to show those people who do appear that something is happening to those who do not," he said. If the situation remains precarious, Goldman said, the judges have considered running a monthly "scofflaw court" at which no-show jurors would be asked to explain their absences to a judge. With about 160 a week or more than 500 a month, "We'd probably fill the auditorium if we did this," Goldman said.

neys can't go forward, and the wheels of justice come to a screeching halt." Goldman said the postponed case was virtually unique and is not a chronic problem, but that the judges want to nip the problem in the bud before it worsens. About half of those qualify for jury duty and normally some 75 percent to 80 percent comply with the summons, enough to satisfy the demand for jury trials in the superior and circuit courts. In just came to a boiling point. It doesn't happen often, and we are hoping it does not continue to happen, but we need to show people there are consequences for not doing their civic duty, for blowing off jury service," said Goldman, who said some 1,600 summonses for jury duty are sent out weekly. Lake County judges heard 156 jury trials, third in the state behind Indianapolis with 480 and Fort Wayne with 203.

Neighboring Porter County did 49 jury trials in 2000. Gayle Polakowski, clerk-treasurer Timothy Emmons, Town Council District 1 John Kosmatka, Town Council District 1 Joel Carney, Town Council District 2 Frank Sessa, Town Council District 2 Robert Crone, Town Council District 3 Sharon Darnell, Town Council District 4 Michael Bannon, Town Council District 5 Gina Darnell, Town Council District 5 Hebron Chris Stalbaum, clerk-treasurer Jamie Uzelac, clerk-treasurer John Hetra, Town Council District 1 Peter Breuckman Town Council District 1 Eugene Manago, Town Council District 2 Steven Martin, Town Council District 2 Steven Struble, Town Council District 3 David Rshero, Town Council District 3 Valarie Kubacki, Town Council at-large Troy Manago, Town Council at-large Jeffrey Grogan, Town Council at-large District 3 William Tribble Town Council at-large Joseph Russell, Town Council at-large Portage Douglas Olson, mayor Joseph Blackwell, mayor Charles Moseley, clerk-treasurer Donna Pappas, clerk-treasurer Gordon Bloyer, City Council District 1 Elizabeth Modesto. City Council District 1 David Fagan, City Council District 2 Ted Jarosak City Council District 2 David Highlands, City Council District 3 Desiree Johnson, City Council District 3 Vic Pedone City Council District 3 Edward Gottschling, City Council District 4 Mark Sulski, City Council District 5 Richard Turnak, City Council District 5 Robin Wilkening, D. City Council District 5 Timothy Hill, City Council at-large Joseph Mokol, City Council at-large Sammie Maletta, City Council at-large Mark Oprisko, City Council at-large Christopher Stidham, City Council at-large Olga Velazquez, City Council at-large CROWN POINT As Lake County Court Judge Kristina Kantar was getting ready for a criminal trial Feb. 7, she was told not enough of the jurors summoned to decide the case had showed up.

Left with no alternative, Kantar had to postpone the trial at the last minute. Now, Kantar has issued an order to the 19 no-shows to appear before her on Friday to explain their absence or run the risk of being found in contempt of court. If she finds them in contempt, she could fine them up to $100 or sentence them to up to three days in jail. "Any day we don't have enough people to fill the seats, it's a problem," said Lake County Jury Administrator Martin Goldman. "The attor Sharon Thornton, clerk-treasurer Paula Deiotte, clerk-treasurer Charles Bonner, Town Council District 1 William Sexton Jr, Town Council District 1 James Menn, Town Council District 1 Jennifer Granat, Town Council District 2 Kolleen Wallace, Town Council District 2 Michael Liebert, Town Council District 3 Paul Childress, Town Council District 4 Kathryn Kozuszek, Town Council District 4 Edward Pilarski, Town Council District 4 Guy Grasher, Town Council District 5 Valparaiso Jon Costas, mayor David Butterfield, mayor Sharon Emerson Swihart, clerk-treasurer Tim Daly, City Council District 1 Edward Howe, City Council District 1 Allen Eisenmenger, City Council District 2 D.

Joey Larr, City Council District 3 Robert McCasland, City Council District 4 Arthur Elwood, City Council District 5 Vincent Galbiati, City Council District 5 Norm Hudson, City Council District 5 Jan Dick, City Council at-large Charles Williams, City Council at-large Porn Ludwig's lea s- caf uod -C hep s-S chni te ci Ri bs Fresh vegetables Daily Koirts Gregory Frame, clerk-treasurer Paul McKamey. Town Council District 1 R. Steve Howard, Town Council District 1 David Brooks, Town Council Savor the Culinary Flavor of Europe Berlin-Paris-London-Limerick-Rumc-Vicnna-Madrid- Porter Carol Pomeroy, clerk-treasurer Glenn Zaideman, clerk-treasurer Judy Dorris, City Council Filings Breakfast Buffet M-F-Fr. 7-12 3.95 White Tablecloth Lure: twins Dinners Friday Fish Fry Fr. 4-8 Great Super Sandwiches Fr.3.95 Continued from Bl they found more than 2,000 images of boys ages 3 to 14 engaging in sex that were used by Glenn William Roberts to sell memberships to his Internet sex sites.

Roberts recently was sentenced to prison in New Zealand for his role in the scheme. Gilmore's name, address, date of birth and his user identification "blueblond" were found on a U.S. Web page linked to the New Zealand site. Gilmore admitted he has been sexually attracted to child pornography for about two years, according to the indictment. Gilmore said Friday he hopes to get help for his problem while in prison.

With good behavior he could be released in June 2005. usic, Beer Corned Beef Cabbage llam Shank Rack of Lamb RoastDuck Seafood Platter Monday ayce Schnitzel 14.95 Tuesday ayce Shrimp Boil 12.95 H'edneday ayce Lake Perch 14.45 Democratic council candidates for District 4. The primaries in Portage will be contested even more hotly. Council races in the 1st, 3rd and 5th districts will pit Democrats against each other. And six Democratic candidates will fight for two at-large council seats.

But perhaps the biggest surprise is in Hebron, where there won't even be a primary election because there are enough openings that races won't be needed until the general elec- vs Celebrail't. t. A. 7( Patricks Dav the 17 March 12-18 RSVp) Continued from Bl Two Republican candidates each in Chesterton Town Council Districts 1 and 5 are seeking the nod from voters. And in Valparaiso, Republicans will compete for the chance to win council seats in Districts 1 and 5.

Voters in Porter will choose from a crowded field of candidates, including three Republicans for clerk-treasurer, two Republican District 1 Town Council candidates, and two fitrr fir Oat 40th Patfinj DISCOVER HIDDEN TREASURES 7k Cold ri- tion. Aside from Republican Steven Struble, who was appointed to a Town Council post, not one incumbent is seeking re-election to the same position. Jane Pecor, the Republican member of the county Board of Voter Registration, said the situation in Hebron was one of the most surprising of the primary season. Asked how frequently a similar situation occurs, Pecor responded, "not very often. They're going to have Pecor said one of the biggest shocks came late Thursday as longtime town official and Clerk-Treasurer Fred Siminski withdrew his bid for re-election.

"He's done a good job for that town," Pecor said. After eight years as a Town Council member and more than seven as clerk-treasurer, Siminski said the decision to step down was not made in haste. Tve been thinking whether or not I wanted to run for the last five or six months," he said. "My decision was not an easy decision. This was a very difficult decision for me to make." At last Tuesday's council meeting, Siminski informed his fellow residents of his decision.

"There are still many things that I personally would like to pursue in the future and this focus has my full attention," Siminski read from a prepared statement. "Also, I would like to share more time with my family at home. I have worked hard and always tried to do the best job that I could. As human beings, like all of us, sometimes I was successful and sometimes not." Spsoials Tor tout JAPES Punta Carta Club Carabela Beach Resort -All Inclusive 7 Nights From $649.99 p.p.tLo.- (Pricm Vatul 48 41503) Club Carabela Beach Resort All Inclusive 7 Nights From $699.99 p.p.d-o. (Prim Valid St- 45 41203) Coin Stamp Collections, Misc.

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