Kimberly Poland, left, and Kathleen Hilton at a Republican Party conference

Republicans see decline in Hammond with South Shore rail expansion

Contributed By: Jonathan Bradford and The 411 News Staff

The West Lake Corridor project, the most ambitious half of the South Shore Commuter Rail expansion is almost done and is the most expensive.

The other half – the Double Track project, completed in May – added a 2nd set of rails between Gary and Michigan City to allow 2-way traffic.

Set for completion in 2025, West Lake will expand South Shore rail service to the towns of Munster and Dyer.

The project’s $950 million price tag is being paid with federal and state funds, and contributions from municipalities.

Hammond will see the biggest impacts of the project. Two new rail stations in Hammond, both part of the West Lake plan, and a third Hammond station to be paid for by the city will bring its tab to between $200 million and $250 million, said Mayor Tom McDermott.

More trains are not what the city needs, says some Republican Party members who believe McDermott, a Democrat, is taking the city in the wrong direction.


New South Shore station at 173rd and Lyman

They fear insufficient funds for the school system, reduced public safety, a rise in Section 8 housing, and a higher crime rate will be the result of the expansion.

Kimberly Poland, a Republican running for the Lake County Board of Commissioners in District 3, believes McDermott is throwing money away causing the city to decline. “I take the train, but don’t see it improving public transportation. It’s just a boondoggle,” says Poland.

Poland grew up in Roseland, on the south side of Chicago and moved to Hammond at the age of 12.

“I think Hammond Central High School looks like a penitentiary. I don't like it. I feel bad for the Hammond kids," says Poland.

Kathleen Hilton, Hammond’s Republican Party chairman says, “A portion of the money from TIF (Tax Increment Financing) can be used for schools.”

In the eyes of the GOP, the project will not attract more revenue for the city.

“I would have marketed the city as a college town. I will never support the development of downtown Hammond. You have a declining population; and you can’t handle your crime with Illinois residents coming into the city causing chaos and issues," says Poland.

The GOP also feels that public housing is on the rise. “My Section 8 housing properties are high crime, which should not be an ongoing issue. McDermott doesn’t see the big picture,” Poland complained. “I just worry about the safety of Hammond. If you don’t have a safe city, you have nothing. He must beef up the police."

Hilton says, “The police department has a shortage of police officers and vehicles.”

Mayor McDermott sees it differently. “The initial plan had nothing to do with Hammond. The South Shore train was originally going through Munster and Dyer via Illinois. It was only after my efforts to negotiate with Congress that plans were changed to include Hammond.”

“In the last 21 years, I have taken a city that many people would have given up on; I’m continually making improvements. I just keep fighting for it. That is my job. I use a boxing glove as my logo because I fight every day as mayor for my city,” says McDermott.

“I feel like a free agent because the Democratic Party focuses on things the average voter does not care about,” says McDermott.

McDermott feels the city is progressing. Meats by Linz, a premier meat processor that supplies steakhouses throughout the Midwest, just moved from Calumet City into its newly constructed plant. “It’s a huge economic development victory for our city,” says McDermott.

“The largest YMCA in the country is going up in Hammond with a waterpark. It is a $70 million project. Poland’s criticisms of my efforts relate to politics going back decades. I think she will lose in November 75-25,” says McDermott.

“To me, it is about who wants to invest in Hammond. How much is the project worth? Will it employ my citizens? Will it help us pay for the police and fire departments?" says McDermott.

Long term, McDermott wants a city that can afford itself. He mentioned Hammond has commitments that other cities do not have, like the College Bound Program which he implemented.

“We pay for all our kids' education here at a $4 million cost. That is the reason people are still moving businesses and buying homes here. I even sent my kids to college with the program. I love it and I won many national awards for it,” says McDermott.

In response to GOP remarks and concerns about city school funding and crime rate, McDermott states that Indiana has property tax caps.

“The taxes are so low that we are suffering the consequences. The state government is thriving with a low tax rate while the city is laying off teachers and our infrastructure is crumbling. The resources are not enough, they are not even close. I just try to prioritize what needs to be done,” says McDermott.

Cities can learn from each other and help each other grow, he said. Gary and Hammond have a lot in common.

“Mayor Melton is doing an excellent job. He is cleaning up the city of Gary and organizing people. I have learned to build Hammond more efficiently due to what they have been through,” says McDermott.

“Hammond’s success relies on more homeowners buying into where they live. I have 170 police officers on the streets right now. The Hammond police force is close to the size of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Hammond has my pride; I live and die with the city. I will not let them give up on us.”

Story Posted:07/03/2024