Merrillville has LULAC man, woman of the year

MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville council of the League of United Latin American Citizens provided the Indiana chapters with the recipients of both the "Man" and "Woman of the Year."

LULAC officials held their 52nd annual Indiana state convention on May 31 in Merrillville. That town's Council 5009 provided the winners of both honors.

Council President Ricardo Paz received "Man of the Year" honors for 2008, while council Treasurer Debbie Vega received "Woman of the Year" honors.

The convention was intended to have LULAC officials install their new state officers. Members of four councils from Lake County, three youth councils from the LULAC Technology Center in South Bend and one council from Indianapolis were among those in attendance at the day-long event.

"Even though there were no vital resolutions brought to our attention at the meeting, Indiana LULAC continues to resolve to work toward the passing of the DREAM act and a comprehensive immigration reform act," said Alicia Rios, national vice president for the Midwest region. -- By Ruth de la Garza

Pastrick won't fight civil suit, but attorneys want dollar figure put on his case

A U.S. District judge will consider whether to have Indiana officials put a dollar amount on damages allegedly caused by the government conduct of the former mayor of East Chicago.

That request by attorneys for Indiana state government came after former Mayor Robert Pastrick had his attorneys ask the court for a default judgment, meaning he does not plan to contest charges he faces in a civil trial.

Attorneys said the 82-year-old Pastrick, who was mayor of East Chicago for 33 years, is in ill health and is not capable of participating in the physical rigors of a trial that could last several weeks.

But Senior Judge James Moody still has a motion asking for an audit by the Indiana State Board of Accounts as to the extent of harm caused by the former mayor's conduct. Officials say the audit could help determine how much money the defendants would have to pay.

Pastrick, James Fife III and former city Councilman Frank Kollintzas all have default judgments against them.

--By Dan Hinkle

Hammond to host area foreclosure awareness event

Officials with the Hammond-based Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance are coordinating local activities for Thursday (June 11) as part of a National Day of Action to make people aware of the problems faced by increased numbers of home foreclosures.

The alliance is working with the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, which is organizing events in 50 places across the United States. All will take place at courthouses, legislative buildings or unemployment offices to urge local and federal government officials to work to create more jobs and rebuild communities.

The National Day of Action event to be held from 8:30 to noon at the United Steelworkers Local 1010 Union Hall, 3703 Euclid Ave., in East Chicago will be the only Chicago-area event. No such events are scheduled for Illinois, and the next closest events will take place in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Milwaukee, Wis.

--By Greg Tejeda