City axes minority firm

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BY SUSAN BROWN
sbrown@nwitimes.com
219.836.3780 | Tuesday, July 01, 2008 | (21 comment(s))

HAMMOND | The city has severed ties with the Hammond-based engineering consulting firm owned by John Garcia, the latest in a series of incidents that have prompted 6th District Councilman Homero "Chico" Hinojosa to signal a break in his support of Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.

"As far as I know, (Garcia) is the only minority-owned engineering company in the city," Hinojosa said. "It's a slap in the face to minority-owned business owners."

Hinojosa said Garcia's firm will be replaced by an Indianapolis-based company though Garcia employs six Hammond residents. "I don't know the reason," Hinojosa said. "I hope it's not to retaliate against me."

Hinojosa had fought to keep the municipal Health Department in opposition to McDermott, who later did not reappoint a close friend of Hinojosa, Joseph Escobedo, as a Sanitary District commissioner.

Escobedo said McDermott never mentioned Hinojosa's support of the Health Department as the reason Escobedo lost his commissioner's post. "I want to say 'yes,' but it could have been a lot of other things," he said.

Escobedo said McDermott has since asked to meet with him and Hinojosa, but Escobedo "no longer wants to do business" with McDermott because he isn't doing anything for Hispanics.

Hinojosa said McDermott also has tinkered with the city's Hispanic Affairs office and refused to add an Hispanic band to the upcoming Festival of the Lakes.

"I don't have any quarrel with the mayor," Hinojosa said. "The mayor has them with me because I tried to keep and protect the Health Department. I did nothing but help put him in office and keep him in office."

Garcia, meanwhile, confirmed he has been told his services are no longer needed, but he didn't know why.

Garcia, who ran against longtime Lake County Surveyor George Van Til this last election, said he believed budget constraints played a role. Garcia said he did not think the quality of his firm's work was at issue. The firm has been working for the city since the administration of former Mayor Duane Dedelow Jr.

McDermott did not return telephone calls, but City Engineer Stan Dostatni said the decision to ax Garcia's firm was made by "multiple entities." The firm was let go partially because of budget cutbacks and also the quality of the firm's work, he said.

Dostatni said the city was dissatisfied with the supervision by Garcia's firm of the work on 171st Street between Parrish and Kennedy avenues and also a lag with a street lighting project. Garcia's firm, however, will be allowed to complete the $300,000 in work already contracted.

As a replacement, Dostatni said the city is trying out the firm of Beam Longest Neff out of Indianapolis. Dostatni indicated Hinojosa was purposely kept out of the decision. "The choice of an engineer is the Board of Public Work's decision, not a councilman's decision," Dostatni said. "We try not to have a councilman and a firm get too friendly."

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WHATEVER....... wrote on Jul 2, 2008 12:40 PM:

" Just because it's minority owned, that means the city has to do business with it? How about the people of this country start hiring people that can actually do a job, show up on time and get paid for what they do, not because they're a minority. I'm glad they got rid of this company. Wish the rest of the country would do the same. If I had a business, I'd hire the person that is best for the position, regardless of the color of their skin. If you can do the job, you're hired. Too bad for the rest of you that feel differently!! "

dave wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:12 PM:

" COuncilman Hinojosa continues to embarrass the city of Hammond instead of looking out for the taxpayer's best interests. He should have taken a look at the poor job the company did on Parrish ave and demanded the company give a refund to the taxpayers. Maybe if Mr. Garcia had been supervising the projects his company was involved with instead of running for office, people's basements wouldn't be flooding. "

To The whole story wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:11 PM:

" If his firm designed or oversaw it, they're still responsible. That is part of "providing professional services". "

The whole story wrote on Jul 1, 2008 5:20 PM:

" Did Garcia DESIGN 171st street or just oversee the project? Big difference. "

Hino Hater wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:51 PM:

" So the mayor fired someone that did not perform their job correctly and he fired him. Now you call him a cry baby. Sounds like another common sense decision by McMayor. I applaud his decision to do the right thing instead of playing polotics with taxpayer money. The company that was from the area did have 6 hammond residents in the firm, but they cost thousands money by doing their job wrong. I'd much rather have an outside firm do the job right. Plus, more than likely, the INdy firm will not be buddies with the councilmen. I think Hino just wants his friend to have the job. Power in numbers... If McMayor takes my friends job away, ill get the hispanics to vote him out. Well guess what hispanics, you only represent 20%, the other 80% is much more significant. Long Live McDermott. "

To Again wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:33 PM:

" To Again: so if Chico called this "reporter" and said a spaceship landed in Dowling Park, and McDermott was to blame for it, she should write just that in the news account? How about investigation, checking sources, fact checking, getting both sides of a story, not being biased. You know, day one journalism school stuff. "

Fred wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:51 AM:

" Hinojosa is always using the race card. Is he a councilman for the 6th district or 6th district Mexicans ? That seems to be his only concern. Remember this at election time and vote him out. Unless you want East Chicago politics taking over Hammond. JP is right. Hinojosa and Garcia are both from EC politics. "

McMayor is a Crybaby wrote on Jul 1, 2008 11:31 AM:

" To Bill & JP: Councilman Hinojosa is not from East Chicago. If I'm not mistaken a previous article said he was from Gary. Does that mean he's a part of Mayor Clay's Administration. Maybe he played a part in late votes getting out this past May? You'd probably think so since your so one minded. Say something that actually has true importance before you make your accusations.

Yes most of us know that 171st was crappy, & engineered improperly. The citizens there are not happy with Hinojosa. Even though it's a matter of The Board of Public Works! Lets blame them!! Garcia was in contract w/ the city since Dedelow was in office. How does that make sense? People on these posts cant read. You know everything. Hello citizens!! Crybaby mayor is giving our citizens jobs away to a firm in Indianapolis. Way to stimulate the economy McMayor! He should go work for Bush.

Obviously Hinojosa is not playing 2 the crybaby's wishes so he's gonna do everything 2 upset Hinojosa. I'd say good luck 2 CrybabyJr on getting in office in 2011. He's certainly upsetting Hispanics. Don't 4get they make up 21% of your population in Hammond!!! "

NEVER wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:30 AM:

" You people should know by now that you never use the words tom mcdermott and integretty in the same sentence. "

Hinojosa wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:14 AM:

" Mr. Hinojosa has proven himself to be a man of integrity, something Tom McDermott will never be accused of, right Tom? Although the mayors good buddies in the Cantrell crime family like him! "

Again wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:48 AM:

" This is the second time that Chico has come out against the mayor publicly in a week. Last week it was the fire station now this. You can blame the reporter but Chico must be calling her. I think the mayor may have a bigger problem than minority vendors and his choice of bands for the fest. Mayor Tom you seem to forget that if you want anything done you need five council votes. Maybe Chico is trying to tell him due to recent events don't count on his. "

Jack wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:09 AM:

" It seems pretty obvious Hinojosa is posturing for a run at the Mayors Office. "

What a crock wrote on Jul 1, 2008 9:02 AM:

" A well researched article would have said, Faulty Design floods 171st. Street newly built under water. City spends money to fix brand new street. Of course, instead, we get this garbage about race. How about some REAL investigation and a REAL story instead of this junk. How about a reporter who reports without bias? "

JP wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:26 AM:

" I find it interesting that Hinajosa came from East Chicago where Mr. Garcia was once City Engineer for Bob Pastrick. "

concerned citizen wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:04 AM:

" To commentor Bill: RIGHT ON! Everyone is trying to use the race card these days. If you do not support someone or a company, and they happen to be a minority - then of course you are a racist. Just like the Obama campaign -if you do not support him then of course you are racist - NOT!!!!!! "

Bill wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:34 AM:

" Once again someone gets fired for not performing and "Chico" plays the race card. Chico needs to go back to East Chicago. "

Right wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:17 AM:

" Ask those residents on Parrish & 171st how great Garcia when their front lawns are swimming pools.

And Chico, you're a sleaze for pulling the race card. This administration is pro-minority owned business & pro-hispanic business...including mine. "

DAN KMAK wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:48 AM:

" Well here we go again. People using the race issue. Hinojosa should just do his job as councilman and not worry about his friends. Maybe he will do a better job. "

More Slam Pieces wrote on Jul 1, 2008 6:04 AM:

" If this reporter were a REPORTER, she would have gone out and looked at 171 and talked to the people there about what a DISASTER that street was, brand new street flooding all the time, not done right, but instead of doing her job and getting the truth, its Mayor hates minorities. Why do they keep her! "

Pow POW wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:02 AM:

" Shot himself in the foot again. How many feet does young McMayor have? "

Former Hammond Resident wrote on Jul 1, 2008 12:17 AM:

" ok...so two questions....

1 : Who is related/dating/partners with whom from this Indy firm to get the job..INDY?? What do they know about the area..anyway...number

2 : how soon till Dostatni finally gets pegged for putting his foot in his mouth...quality of work was a question???

...nice work there buddy...move south already. "

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