Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 26, 1955.
Town Planning First Partisan Election
(EDITOR’S NOTE一This is the fifth in a series of articles on the government, facilities, problems and fall election plans of the eight incorporated towns of Porter county.)
By BETSY MACFIE
First political election in the history of the newest incorporated town of Porter county, Town of Pines, will be held Nov. 8.
After incorporating in June, 1950, the town held its first general election in July, 1951, and the town board elected then has served up to the present time, according to Town Clerk Treasurer Leonard Janowski.
Janowski, a Democrat, is the only incumbent to run again. Seeking another term as clerk-treasurer, he is employed by Dunes Lumber and Supply company in Tremont.
Other incumbent town board members include: first ward, Charles Merx, board president, employed by Pullman Standard Manufacturing company in Michigan City; second ward, David Warren, employed by a Gary steel mill, and third ward, Leo DeWolfe, employed by Brown, Inc., a Town of Pines trucking concern.
States Are Set
Janowski explained the current board was elected on a non-partisan basis at a general meeting of townspeople.
Completing the Democratic ticket for forthcoming election in Town of Pines are: first ward, Homer Lutes, operator of Pines Grocery in Town of Pines; second ward Herbert Smith, a self employed television serviceman; third ward, George Newman, employed by Michiana Products Corp. in Michigan City.
Republican towns candidates are: first ward, John Koska, employed by Baltimore and Ohio railroad; second ward, Mrs. Mildred Stout, an owner of the Stout building Materials Corp. in the Town of Pines; third ward, James Prast, masonry contractor; clerk-treasurer, Herman Hill, store manager of Wright Electric company in Michigan City.
Due to its comparative youth, Town of Pines lacks a number of facilities older towns have, officials pointed out. Most of the roads are unimproved, there are no town marshals, and the town shares a fire department with Pine township.
Roads Are Problem
The road problem is considered a major issue, and there are plans made now to widen, stone and later seal-coat most of the town roads, Janowski said. The town board also has on order street signs for about 23 town streets, expected to cost about $300, the town clerk added.
The 964 Town of Pines residents rely on state, county and township police for protection now, but officials expect to hire town marshals in “a year or two.”
The Pine Township Volunteer Fire department, which has 24 members, serves the Town of Pines as well, and is partially financed by the town, according to Mitchell Loniewski, fire chief. The town has purchased an oxygen tank and generator which the fire department rents, Loniewski said. Other equipment includes a truck purchased by the township and a 1,400 gallon tanker purchased by the firemen through fund - raising events, the fire chief said.
$900 For Equipment
Included in the Town of Pines 1956 budget is $900 for fire department equipment, officials reported. No specific equipment is designated.
As there are no town buildings in Town of Pines, meetings are held in the fire hall, which is located in the town. Plans are underway, however, for the town to purchase, at a cost of about $4,000 five or six acres located north of U.S. 20 in Town of Pines, where town buildings would be constructed, officials reported.
With the 942 acres east of the original area it annexed in April, 1954, Town of Pines now comprises 1,377 acres, or a little more than two square miles. Closely allied with Michigan City, its east boundary is the Porter-LaPorte county line. Other approximate boundaries include an alley south of Lake Shore drive on the north, Michigan Central railroad on the south, and Brown road on the west, officials said.
Though considered something of a report town, Town of Pines has no lakefront, and its homes are generally less unique and expensive than the lakeside homes of Porter county. Most of its 964 residents, who live in about 240 homes, are permanent residents. About half the residents are located in the recently annexed territory, it was reported.
The young town as yet lacks a zoning board and planning commission, and there are no immediate plans to establish these bodies, according to officials. Already, however, the town has several industries, including a chemical plant, cement products company, trucking concern and garages, in addition to local businesses. Two plats of land in the town have been set aside as park areas, but have no facilities yet, officials said.
Town of Pines students are sent to Pine Township Consolidated school, parochial schools in Michigan City, and to Michigan City High school. This may pose a problem, as Michigan City High school officials have announced they are considering refusing transfer students from all outlying districts, of which they have 750 at present.
Pine township has no high school yet, and such action by Michigan City officials would probably mean a building program and increased school rates for Pine township and the Town of Pines. Total Town of Pines 1956 tax rate is $5.53, $1.92 more than the current rate of $3.60. Most of the tax increase is in the township levy, which includes a cumulative building fund school tax of $1.25.
Town of Pines residents get their water from private wells, and are served by private wells, and are served by private sewage systems.
Major town organizations include the Pines Community League, organized for civic betterment, Lions club, and Boy Scouts.
A JOINT TOWN-TOWNSHIP venture pictured above is the Pine Township Volunteer Fire department building, located in the Town of Pines. Though they have been using the fire hall for town meetings, Town of Pines citizens hope to acquire land soon on which they will erect a town hall for their own use.