Northwest Indiana Discussion

This story ran on nwitimes.com on Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Scott King resigning?

BY SUSAN BROWN and ELIZABETH EAKEN
Times Staff Writers
GARY | Talk of Scott King's pending resignation was scorching the phone lines in Northwest Indiana political circles Tuesday, but the Gary mayor called the persistent buzz "speculation."

"If there is any further development or announcement it will come from me," King said as he left City Hall late Tuesday afternoon.

The Gary mayor said his 11-year track record speaks for itself and people should know he isn't afraid to speak out.

Rumors of King's impending resignation were rampant, convincing such political veterans as state Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, and Lake County Council President Will Smith Jr. that King is leaving his post.

"The unanswered question is why," Brown said.

Smith said he, too, had been alerted King is stepping down.

"I don't know all the particulars. Dozier (Allen Jr.) was named deputy mayor yesterday," Smith said. "There was speculation about why."

The resignation rumors swept through the city a day after King announced the resignation of Deputy Mayor Geraldine Tousant.

Named to replace Tousant was Allen, the former longtime Calumet Township trustee.

King said Tuesday that he is pleased with his appointment of Allen and glad Tousant will remain a part of his administration. Tousant is now special assistant to the mayor.

Brown said he had received "29 phone calls" about King's resignation by late afternoon.

Several other political insiders contacted Tuesday, including state Sen. Earline Rogers and Hobart Mayor Linda Buzinec, also reported hearing the rumors.

"This is setting this city on its heels," Brown said. "I'm assuming he found a way to circumvent the party in naming his replacement."

If King were to resign, Allen would automatically take his place.

Brown said it was former Mayor Richard Hatcher who had asked for the appointment of a deputy mayor when he was in office.

"In that law is the succession process," Brown said. "The question is what period of time (an interim mayor) can officially be there."

According to law, a caucus to select a mayoral replacement would be called within 30 days. Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Rudy Clay would call for the election of the new mayor by the Democratic precinct committeemen.

King, a friend and political ally of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, left the Democratic Party in April 2005 and declared himself an independent. But because he was elected as a Democrat, the party would choose his successor.

Allen didn't return a message left by The Times with King's spokeswoman, LaLosa Burns.

However, King did indicate Monday that he would be holding a news conference about the day's events, Burns said.

Gary Common Council President Roy Pratt, an at-large Democrat, said he heard the rumors but does not anticipate King's resignation.

Pratt said he had not discussed the matter with King and had not received any notice from King prior to the Tuesday night council meeting. However, nothing requires the mayor to notify the Common Council of his resignation.