Valor: The American Odyssey of Roy Dominguez

Twelve: Dreaming Big

If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, or a Life in the Woods Have faith and pursue an unknown end. Francis Bacon 232 233 InAugustof2009,Ispoketotheeditorialboardofthe KokomoTribune,and someone said, “There’s never been a governor who came from Lake County.” I pointed out that there never had been a candidate for governor from Lake County either. In other words, I don’t think it’s a legitimate issue. On another occasion Times publisher Bill Nangle asked me, “Don’t you think this Lake County issue could be very difficult to overcome?” I replied, “My coming from Lake County is as much an issue as my being Hispanic.” He argued that my ethnic background was not an issue. “Then neither is my being from Lake County,” I replied. Governor Mitch Daniels At a January 2005 Gary Frontier Social Club’s breakfast honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., newly elected governor Mitch Daniels was one of the main speakers. I wished the incoming governor well and told him that even though I was a Democrat, I believed in good government and would help him in any way I could since he was our governor. He was cordial and receptive. From time to time thereafter, before he’d visit Lake County, his staff would ask whether I was available to join him. I made every effort to accept his invitation and was honored to be asked. He was always a gentleman and had his strong points as a politician, but, in my opinion, he was not a natural like Evan Bayh or Frank O’Bannon. Althoughopposedtothesellingofthetollroadandtheprivatization of the state welfare services, I agreed with some of Governor Daniels’s ideas on local governmental reform. Sharing resources and eliminating Dreaming Big twelve 234 Valor duplication of services, for example, is simply good government. I was even open to discussing whether sheriffs should be appointed rather than elected. You should not start a discussion on how to streamline andreformgovernmentwithoutputtingeverythingonthetablewithout preconditions and exclusions. Inthespringof2008Italkedtothegovernor,alongwithothercounty officials, about plans to hold a taxes and economic summit. He had been pressuringLakeCountytopassanincometaxorfacedireconsequences. He agreed with the concept of a summit and promised to attend. Meanwhile , party primaries were taking place. Republican Daniels was runningunopposed ,whileIwassupportingJillLongThompsonagainstJim Shellenberg in the Democratic contest. Jill asked me to introduce her at the Jefferson-Jackson Unity Dinner. Also in attendance were presidential candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both of whom I respected greatly. As South African Bishop Desmond Tutu said, what a difference his election would make in terms of America’s leadership position in the world. In my presentation to the party faithful, I concluded, “And Jill Long Thompson is the only candidate who can privatize Mitch Daniels and make him a private citizen.” I didn’t mean anything personal, of course, but it was the type of partisan rhetoric the situation demanded. Soonafterward,PatO’Rourke,presidentoftheHammondTeachers Union, got a call from Neil Pickett saying that the governor had read the quoteaboutprivatizinghiminthe Indianapolis Starandwasnotpleased. In fact, he had decided to torpedo the upcoming summit. Pat reiterated that I hadn’t meant to insult the governor and compared politics to a game of basketball. You compete hard, hoping to win, but that doesn’t mean you hold hard feelings once the election is over. O’Rourke suggested I call Neil. Iplacedthecall.NeilPickettremindedmethatDanielshadneverrun for political office until four years before and was not as thick-skinned as most veteran campaigners. Even so, forcing the cancellation of the summit was a setback for the forces of good government. Governor Daniels had agreed to discuss taxes, economic development ,andotherissueswithleadersfromnorthwestIndiana.Consultants had prepared data. My remark was just political bravado, talking to the Dreaming Big 235 troops, so to speak; I’m sure when the governor is with Republican partisans ,heisnottellingthemtosupportDemocrats.Heleftuswondering if this was just an excuse not to have the summit. New Helicopter In 2005, along with the Indiana Sheriff’s Association, we obtained enabling legislation to charge a user’s fee on foreclosures for services being provided to banks and insurance companies, including hosting the subsequent auctions, popularly known as sheriff’s sales. The fund would reimburse costs to county government and be used, subject to council approval, to buy squad cars, weapons, bulletproof vests, laptops, and, most importantly, a new helicopter...