BY HEATHER AUGUSTYN, Times of Northwest Indiana Correspondent
PORTER | The Porter Town Council on Tuesday listened to a Northwest Indiana Forum representative speak in support of the South Shore expansion to Lowell and Valparaiso, a presentation similar to what the Chesterton Town Council heard Monday.
But the response from Porter officials was more vocal than Chesterton council members, who said they would reserve their opinions for the proper time.
Karen Lauerman, director of marketing and communications for the Northwest Indiana Forum, fielded concerns from Porter council members.
Lauerman described to the council and public the positive rewards she said would come from the rail expansion. Northwest Indiana would gain job and economy growth due to greater access to Chicago and see less traveling impact on the environment, she said.
"Everyone in this room has seen how an over-reliance on one industry has impacted the local economy," Lauerman said.
Council member Paul Childress and council President Bill Sexton questioned the expansion and suggested it would decrease commuter traffic to and from the existing Porter station at Dune Park.
"We're going to be asked to pay for this, but I don't see how it works out for us. It might work out great for Valpo, but not for us," Childress said.
Sexton warned Lauerman that the expansion would bring out many critics in Porter.
"You're going to have some very tough questions and especially from this community," Sexton said.
Many questions followed Lauerman's presentation, including a rebuttal from a member of the public the council allowed on the agenda. George Mrak gave reasons for opposing the expansion, citing its cost, promotion of urban sprawl and neglect of the current line.
Mrak's comments provoked loud applause from many department heads, council members and members of the community. Lauerman said members of the Northwest Indiana Forum will continue to attend municipality meetings to inform the public of the evolving plan.
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