Town of Merrillville

Why are you running?

In the summer of 2021, I had read a news article talking about Shawn Pettit’s wife Kathy being given a promotion from bookkeeper to Director of HR. This angered me so much that I went to a Town Council Meeting to voice my displeasure.

I discovered that Kathy had no special training, degree, or experience in Human Resources. Rick Bella (D-5, President) expalined Kathy’s qualifications as, “She has worked for Merrillville for 20 years, doesn’t she deserve a promotion.

I was thinking to myself, I’ve wanted to be a lawyer for about 25 years. Why do I need to go to school or pass the Bar examine to be a lawyer? Shouldn’t I just get to call myself a lawyer? I know how to use Google for law issues.

This is how I knew we needed new leaders for our town. Bella’s answer was rediculous and it is still rediculous to this day.

Why are you running as an Independent Candidate?

Two answers for thos question. First, I truly believe we are at a point where the two political parties are so far apart in ideas that it creates a huge gap between people. I think it is time to put “red” and “blue” aside for a little while and work on the bigger issues that should unite us all. We can always go bacl to the fight between Elephanys & Donkeys later on. I want to bridge that gap and find the common ground.

Second, I believed so firmly in Chandra Scott-Flowers as a candidate that I was backing her campaign. She has a beautiful but fierce voice for the community. I hope she will contimnue to be an advocate for Merrillville residents for years to come.

What is a challenge that Merrillville faces currently?

The Town is run by politcians who are only concerned with “their Ward.” You hear it all the time at the Council Meetings, “My Ward.” We need a Town Council that works as a team and sees Merrillville as “Our Town.” We need to work together on Our Town. We need to stop accepting each Council Person acting like “their Ward” is “their Kingdom.”

Shawn Pettit says, “I run the Warehouse Ward.” This is an arrogant and degrading phrase. These warehouses are not the glamorous, hipster places where you can find good music aand good brews. These are the warehouses that bring in large volumes of semi-truck traffic and diesel odor. Our roadways are congested. If there is an issue on I-65, our roadway problems are magnified and traffic flows are crushed to a crawl.

You may not live in Ward 6, but this still affects you when wanting to get around town to get to the grocery store or gym. This is why we need to treat Merrillville as a whole, not this part and that part.

How are you able to announce a candidacy when there has already been a Primary?

I am running as an Independent Candidate. Primaries are for the Major Parties – usually Republican & Democrat – to decide their candidate. The general election in November is for everyone to decide the best person for the role. So, “Independents” do not go through the Primary process.

Can I meet with Bryon?

Absolutely! Want to have a quick chat or maybe a coffee to discuss concerns or new ideas? Conversation is a main point of this campaign. Contact us and let’s get something scheduled.

What can I do to help Bryon’s campaign?

While donations can always be put to good use, there are many things you can do to help. This will be a David vs, Goliath fight and Bryon can use ALL the help he can get. Spreading the word, walking with Bryon in your neighborhood, having a campaign sign in your yard are all ways to be helpful. Contact us with your ideas, suggestions, or offer of help.

Are you accepting campaign donations?

Yes! If you would like to donate via PayPal, send donations to: bryon@merrillville.town

You can also send me a message if you would rather use a more traditional method such as cash or check.

Donations are NOT tax deductible.

What do you think local government’s role is in encouraging business?

Town Council should be providing a business friendly environment that is attractive to entrepreneurs and investors. That being said, Merrillville has gone too far in the support of large, multi-million dollar corporations and has all but forgotten small & medium businesses. “Mom & Pop” shops are the backbone of the American economy. All you hear about is the million square foot warehouses. You never hear about the Dairy Queen or Angie’s Breakfast & Grill – or so many other local treasures.

Come to a Town Council Meeting and Council Persons grill small business owners with a ton of questions. Why not support & encourage these wonderful entrepreneurs for investing in our town? No, Council stands in judgement. It is sickening. A small business is better than no business.

What areas of our town need more development in your eyes?

Merrillville’s North side needs economic redevelopment in a bad way. It has been ignored for far too long. The town is literally spending millions and millions of dollars in South Merrillvile and barely has the time of day for North Merrillville. That has to change as quickly as possible!