Dan Steiner

I love Northwest Indiana. I am continually told that we are polluters and that it is time to get rid of our major industry in Northwest Indiana. Northwest Indiana produces the best steel in the world bar none. As a builder of new homes,, it drives me crazy to read and hear how horrible we are. BP is putting in a 3.5 billion dollar infrastructure for converting sand oil from Alberta and the papers and Illinois pols tell us how horrible it is. We have very high standards for clean air and water. The people who strive to have great industry live here also, they are your neighbor and I believe in most cases want clean air and water for their children.

The real problem probably lies more with community leaders and pols who are afraid to speak for the voice of reason in our region. I have no apologies for supporting some of the best real production in our country. Our workers and white collar establishment are midwesterners with an attitude of producing the best that is possible. It's time to speak against a small angry voice and against outsiders that would have Northwest Indiana as a vast reserve for pleasant little antique shops. We as a people can be clean and productive.

Our area is so unique in all that it produces. Our housing is affordable, and so fabulous in originality. Even the low income new housing speaks of people who are willing to stretch themselves for a great product. From Tower Acres in Valparaiso to Lake Hills in Saint John you see very desirable housing in all price ranges. Our ability to produce the world's best and to contribute in great ways to this country will be diminished if our local leaders are silent and ignore the continuous drumbeat of silencing the incredible Northwest Indiana.