The Times from Munster, Indiana • 135

MAYOR KHIG RESIGHS R0 I FRIDAY MARCH 24 2006 PAGE A6 CbsMeclic Race is on for next Gary mayor Skin Body Clinic i I Specializing in: Breasfr Surgery Body Contouring Facial Aesthetic Surgery ji 1 BY BILL DOLAN bdolaninwitimes.com 211662328 GARY Dozier Allen Jr. achieves his lifelong dream at noon today when outgoing Mayor Scott King gives him the key to City Hall. How long that key remains 1 JOHN LUKE THE TIMES Gary Mayor Scott King welcomes his appointed replacement, Dozier Allen after he announced his resignation as mayor Thursday at City Hall. Chicago's "absolute leading surgeon" -Dr. Phil Dr.

Platis has been featured on: 2020, NBC5 Chicago, WBBM Fox News Chicago and WGN in his pocket is an open question. Allen becomes acting mayor today, but to keep that office beyond next month, he must submit his name to an election by a caucus of 138 Democratic precinct committeemen. Allen said Thursday at a news conference he will. Lake County Commissioner Rudy Clay, D-Gary, who has a similar dream, said afterward he will announce Monday whether he will run, too. Other Democratic residents might join the race.

King's resignation triggers a state law requiring the local Democratic precinct organization to elect the person to serve out the remaining 20 months of King's aborted term. Both Allen and Clay are well known to the committeemen. Clay, 69, has represented the city as a state senator, a county councilman and county commissioner since 1972. He also served briefly as a county 210 East 86frh Piece MsrriMs, IN 46410 (219) 795-1255 53 EastVcbn Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 377-3333 James M. Platis, MD, FACS CONTACT US Merrillville, IN: (219) 795-U55 Chicago, IL: (312) 377-3333 infocosmedicciinic.com Member of The Akwcan Society Member American Society ra Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Inc.

Rustic Suftoeons cosrnodicclinis.com 1 st Annual recorder. He was Gary Democratic city chairman until the party promoted him last year to county chairman. Allen, 75, served on the Gary City Council before residents elected him trustee of Calumet Township eight times between 1970 and 2002. Allen ran unsuccessfully for mayor, losing to former Mayor Richard Hatcher in 1975 and former Mayor Thomas Barnes-in 1991. Allen's political career appeared to end four years ago when Mary Elgin defeated him for township trustee in 2002.

King resurrected that career Monday, naming Allen as deputy mayor. King King Continued from A1 which people of this community have accepted, respected and followed me as their mayor," King said. He moved here 25 years ago, serving as a deputy county prosecutor and an assistant U.S. attorney, and winning success as a defense lawyer, before his election in 1995 as the first white mayor since 1967 of a city that is 84 percent black. He brought the Miss USA Pageant and national attention that came with it to Gary in 2001 and 2002, although critics complained the pageant cost the city more than $2.2 million and brought little economic boost since many of its venues were outside the city.

King also brought in the Gary Steelheads, a Continental Basketball Association basketball team, in 2000, drawing regular crowds into the once little-used, Genesis Convention Center. The Steel Yard became the most visible example of King's effort to revitalize the city. An infusion of $3 million in federal law enforcement resources also has helped King's administration reduce homicides by half since he took office 11 years ago. However, the city remains burdened with one of the highest per capita homicide rates. Census figures indicate a quarter of the population is below the poverty level and one in eight homes is vacant.

King said his third term held many frustrations, start March 20th THRU March 26th announced his resignation Thursday, allowing Allen to succeed him. "Over the last four years, I have developed a very terrific relationship with Deputy Mayor Dozier T. Allen Jr. He is the best person to fill this important role for this city at this time," King said. Clay has his own plans to consider.

"I'm going to be meeting with friends, my wife and family over the weekend and discuss my options of becoming a candidate for mayor myself. I will let everyone know Monday whether I will be a candidate or not," Clay said Thursday. ing with a property tax crisis. Operation Restore Public Integrity, a public corruption probe spearheaded by the U.S. attorney's office, was another dark cloud over City Hall.

Investigators demanded records connected to King in December 2003. Weeks later they indicted Otho Lyles, a one-time King political supporter; then-Deputy Mayor Geraldine Tou-sant; two other city executives Parks Superintendent Kim-berly E. Lyles and Vanesse Dabney, executive director of the city redevelopment and demolition on charges they lied about influence peddling in city contracts. The government also revealed it had bugged the telephone of King's former political adviser Jewel Harris Sr. Otho Lyles and Kimberly Lyles, who are.

not related, pleaded guilty to a charge of lying to the FBI and received probation. Charges were dropped against Dabney and Tousant. Harris never has been accused of wrongdoing. King denies he was ever a target of the investigation and labeled as "falsehoods" whispered allegations this week he was stepping down for any reason other than to return to private life to earn more money for his family. However, King didn't cite any of those troubles when asked about the downside of his job.

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