Northwest Indiana Discussion

I read in The Times today, of a number of communities paying to send a number of public employees to Las Vegas for a retailer trade show. A Hammond official said their "goal" is to have five meetings with major chains to sell them on why they should locate in Hammond. In essence, they will be acting as agents for private developers, even though they and their junket are paid by taxpayers. This apparently is an annual spring break for these offal officials. Why the need to press the flesh in Vegas? Oh! That flesh!

Do you need to go to Vegas to get dollar stores and pawn shops to open? Maybe a couple more tattoo shops?

They are doing the same thing they have always done and the same thing everyone else is doing. They are chasing development in a world where everyone wants it.

Chasing retail development is a folly in the world where there is already too much retail space.

Why not create the demand for retail? Everyone is missing the possibility for innovation and creating the demand for business.

I've talked for a number of years of the "maker" revolution and how Hammond (and NW Indiana) could transform itself into a entrepreneurship culture. Only our leaders and population are far too trapped in the "mill" mentality of the last 100 years.

The last time the boys went out of town and pressed some flesh, they brought back a gift that keeps on giving.

Looks like councilman Higgs took the trip...literally. According to a column at nwi.com, Higgs tripped over some baggage(not his own, although he carries plenty), in the hall of a Vegas hotel. He needed medical attention and transport to hospital. I know you're all concerned, but don't worry, Higgs injured more his reputation than his person. The hotel declined to pay his medical expenses, so Higgs is now asking another insurance to pay. What other insurance? The City of Hammond. According to a report written by the hotel, Higgs appeared to be influenced by alcohol at the time of his incident. I'm sure he wasn't the only city representative who imbibed on this junket. But even if Higgs was mumbling, rumbling, stumbling down the halls in Vegas, how is it his insurance information was released to a reporter? Even if taxpayers' money pays the claims, is it legal to release an insured's personal info? What if the insurance was paying for medication to treat bipolar disorder? Or was treated for an STD? Can the name of the patient and their prescription or treatment be released to the public and press?

It is illegal to release the info on the medical, but that has never stopped the McThugs before. Marsha's info was released also, if you recall.