North end businesses, modern safety departments top candidate issues

GRIFFITH |Redevelopment on the north side of town and providing for modern Police and Fire departments top the lists of the three Democratic candidates for the Town Council's 5th Ward.

The candidates are Roy Baldwin, Michael Ball and Martin Michels.

One of themwill replace Democrat Stan Dobosz on the general election ballot this fall. Dobosz, a longtime town leader, is completing his ninth term on the board.

Baldwin said he wants to see occupants in the town's many vacant buildings. He'd advertise theiravailability to businesses in nearby states to enlarge the list of possibilities.

Baldwin said this includes the north end of town at Griffith Park Plaza.

"We could start there," said Baldwin, who preferred not to list his age. "We would open up jobs for our residents" if new businesses moved in to fill the buildings.

Baldwin was on the vice presidential board of directors with AFL-CIO of Northwest Indiana for three years.

Ball, 59, would like to keep the Police and Fire departments up to date, a move that would includea take-homesquad car program for the police, he said.

"I think that's very important. It shows a police presence and deters crime."

He said police andfirefighters say they like to have continuous training. Up-to-date equipment for both departments also isimportant.

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North end businesses, modern safety departments top candidate issues