Whiting was the place that I grew up in, made friends, went to church, and went to school. My great grandparents, parents, and I lived in Whiting and grew up as a family here. Whiting to me is the place of my upbringing and a place of family heritage.

Whiting is a place full of wonder.A nice small city with many sideshops that arent found almost anywhere else.Whiting brings many many memories. I remember going to st.john after going there I'd go to COOL CREATIONS and then my mother and I would just wonder around enjoying outside with nice people.Whiting is meant to be a small comfy, welcoming town and i think that thats how it should be.Hopefully it will.

MAYOR JOE AND COUNCIL - THANK YOU SOOO VERY MUCH - FROM ALL THE OILERS NEAR AND FAR - YOU DID A GOOD THING!!!!

Although I have moved from Whiting, the beauty and kindness of the people and community will live on forever in my heart. When my daughter became ill, the support and generosity of everyone was beyond incredible. From her grade school, St. John the Baptist, our neighbors, her former teachers, Father Kalicky, Whiting High School. Children from St. John who went Christmas carolling collected for her, people who were total strangers, parishoners of St. John reached out to help us. The names and the generosity are too numerous to write here, I remember them all, and the memory of their goodness has done so much to strengthen my family. I don't believe there is another community like this one, it is unique and special.

Mayor Joe, Thank You SOOOO MUCH Great Job!!! It just proves what a great city Whiting is and will always be!!! Also I would like to thank all the councilmen and women who do a fine Job also!!!!

I was born and raised in Whiting and I would never trade the wonderful childhood I had growing up there. I walked to grade school and high school. I was able to walk to an afterschool job at Aronberg jewelers and then at Whiting News Company. I still have many friends there and I try to visit when I can. I love to show my children all the local \"hot spots\" and share my memories. It truly is a wonderful town. It will always have my heart.

Closing the doors on Whiting would be like destroying my childhood and the memories I have of it. My whole family is from this area. Whiting is a great place to live or visit with a strong background in ethnic diversity which is what the whole concept of our country is all about. I am Slovak, and evrything about my heritage says Whiting , Indiana. Closing the doors on this great city would be like erasing that heritage. The people who reside in this city keep alive a tradition which has been handed down over many generations with myself being one of those generations. Please save this city and the God loving people in it!

I have lived in Whiting all of my life and I would hate to see something happen to such a great town. I am proud to say that I am a resident of the city. People come and go but they always come back to the "Best Little City by the Lake"

Way to go Mayor Joe, the city could not have done it without you and your desire to get things done. Thanks

Thanks Mayor Joe! You have done Great Job.

I am 39 years old and now live on the southeast side of Chicago, Illinois. I have been married for 15 years to a wonderful man at met in Whiting, Indiana. We have 3 beautiful children. I grew up in Whiting, Indiana. I attended grade school through High School in Whiting. I even attended Kindergarten through 1st grade at Southside School which was located on White Oak Avenue. It was torn down to make room for houses. My husband also attended grade school through High School in Whiting. In fact, Whiting is where a lot of my friends have found their husbands and wives and now are raising their families in Whiting. All of my family lives in Whiting. My Father and my brother work in Whiting. I live in Chicago because of my husband's occupation (Detective in Chicago). I work at St. John the Baptist School which is the school for many Whiting children. If it weren't for my husband's, Tom, employment, I would be living in Whiting, Indiana. I shop and attend all activities in Whiting. I call it my REAL home. My heart will always be in Whiting, Indiana. For you to take that away from us, is like taking a part of each and everyone of us who have a history in Whiting with you. My children ages 12, 6 and 21 months all know about Whiting. They attend all the events with me. This is where we celebrate most of our Holidays. PLEASE don't take that away from me. Please don't take the opportunity away from my children to see how wonderful Whiting is. Please don't take away a big part of my past and a big part of my childrens' future. This is not about politics... This about human people and their feelings and ties with Whiting. This about all of the people who come from all over the United States to visit Whiting especially during the famous Peirogi Fest (sp.?). Please take all of this into consideration before you make a decision that will affect, in the long run, a MILLION people. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Melissa Shebish

i dont think i could tell my little boy that we dont have a home town any more. PLEASE SAVE WHITING!!!!!!!

I haven't lived in Whiting for over 10 years now. But when anyone asks me where I am from I say Whiting, Ind. I still have family and friends that live there and I visit as often as I can. Whiting holds all of my childhood memories and it would be a shame if I couldn't share those memories with my children. For the sake of the people who still live there and those of us who still visit....HELP SAVE WHITING!

I was born & raised in Whiting. My family still lives there and I visit annually. I love Whiting Park, 119th St. and everything The Little City on the Lake has to offer, the small town where everybody knows your name. I moved 10 years ago to AZ. but Whiting will always be home.

I've been in the Whiting/Robertsdale community my whole life. Being a minister in Whiting it's been my priviledge to be a part of an amazing city. It's rare when a city backs churches like our city. My family plans to live and retire here in Whiting. I have so many stories to tell it would take a lifetime to share them. God is good and if we keep him in our city we will keep our city. I will continue to pray that all works out for this wonderful city.

I have never lived in Whiting, but I was there all the time because my dad grew up there and my grandparents lived there all of their adult lives (after my grandpa came to the U.S. in the 1920\'s from Slovakia). They lived on Lake Ave. I have an aunt and uncle who still are living there right now. We went to my grandma\'s house many, many Sundays for dinner, and all the holidays - every year, for my entire life. Whiting is my second home. We used to go down to the lake and feed the ducks. I learned to skate on Wolf Lake and Lake Michigan in the winter when both were frozen. I went to football games with my cousins at Clark. I attended midnight Mass with my whole family every year at St. Mary\'s. We always went to AugustFest (at Whiting Park, I think). Whiting is a very nice community, and I don\'t want to see it close it\'s doors. Even though I never lived there, my dad\'s entire family did, and it\'s a part of my family and a part of my life.

I love this city. I love that I know my neighbors and we look out for each other. I love that my children are growing up in a good school. I love the fact that even when you see people that you don't even know, you smile. I love our parades, our festivals and our everyday existence. God Bless this small city and everyone of us lucky enough to be in it.

I have lived in Whiting since I was about 6-7. There is no other place that I would want to call \"home.\" This is the place where I have made all my friends and I wouldn\'t want to live without these friendships. Whiting lives for the friday night light games against all different schools but most of all the Clark vs. Whiting game. I am a sophomore at Whiting High School and I don\'t want to go anywhere else. I have played on the volleyball team here at Whiting for 2 years now. And its awesome how many new friends I\'ve made. Even though we might get into little fights here and there we stick together. We\'re a TEAM. The whole town of Whiting is a TEAM. Whiting is our HOME. Just because we are not as big as Chicago or as famous as New York, this is still our home. We all care about this little town and everyone in it. Even though we have a small school we still learn a lot and its a great experience. The Whiting Little League wouldn\'t be the same. I played for Whiting Little League T-ball through Junior League Softball. Those were the best years of my life. Playing softball with people I loved hanging out with and Coaches who taught me a lot. Especially staying after night games sitting around talking on the bleachers talking with friends is what made it special. Without living here in Whiting I would not be who I am today. Please don\'t take away my home or anyone else\'s. SAVE WHITING!

Go Whiting!!! Don\'t give up, never give up!!! Jimmie \"V\"

Thank you Robertsdale Resident, we it comes down to it, we our all family, long live Whiting and Robersdale!!!!

as of 5pm today the indy star claims" negotiators reach property tax deal" but the caps would not apply to lake and st.joe counties, so what does that mean for us??? will we still get a property tax break??? for lake county??

Whiting is the Pioneers vs. the Oilers, that feeling of security, clean streets, next door neighbors, generations of memories, laughter, unity, the Chicago skyline. The City of Whiting Indiana has impacted more than just it's Whiting residents. Robertsdale has your back, sister! Robertsdale residents... help save Whiting!!!

What makes whiting a special place to live is the people and Mayor Joe Stahura\'s team - they truly care about the future of this city, they have my full support.

Im jande ocampo im 12 years old and ive been living here for 7 years exactly it has been really hard knowing that i migh probably have to live my hometown i love whiting i never thought this can happen its a great city it would be sad to see it be treated like that after we took care of whiting and lived here for so many years. i love whiting and my whiting oilers. PLEASE SAVE OUR CITY OF WHITING!!

Whiting is a place that still has a 4th of July parade attended by nearly everyone in town - long after other towns have stopped their parades. Whiting is old-fashioned Indiana values and people who meet each other uptown, something other towns don't have. Whiting is a city where everyone can still walk to anywhere in town, Whiting is the Pierogi Fest and the lake. Whiting is a great place to live.

Dear Save Whiting, This little town's pride will never be taken away! Go Whiting!

I have lived in Whiting for the short life I have lived so far. My grandfather ran The Zavesky Movers....not many people remember this.I am a proud graduate of St. John the Baptist in Whiting. I have always had the best time at the 4th of July parades, Pierogi Fest, walking around this very safe town with my friends, riding my bike with my dad near the beach and seeing the beautiful view of the Chicago skyline, sledding in the park with my grandpa before he passed away about 2 years ago, seeing his Zavesky Movers trucks in the 4th of July Parade, and countless other things. I have made sooo many friendships I would love to keep for the rest of my life! I would just hate for it to not be saved because I have had sooo many memories in the city of Whiting! Whiting High School's very good football team would become nothing. Think about the residents that have and still live here! Imagine the summer with no symphonies in the park. Whiting vs. Clark football games, or just any football games on Friday nights. Whiting Little League would be nothing. I had so much fun playing little league softball and making friendships I have kept ever since. That would all be lost. With Chicago just over the border, many people come here-for the Pierogi Fest or just whatever. They all want to save Whiting! my great-grandfather built the house that my grandfather and my father had lived in. I hope to raise my family here in Whiting and I can only do that if we save it.I know sooo many people that REALLY want to save Whiting, so help all the residents that are and have lived here save Whiting!!! Whiting's residents all know each other, or at least many of them. When I am driving around with my dad or walking around, he says hello to everyone going past. He has lived here his whole life and has made so many friendships. Whiting what I call my home! HELP SAVE THE LITTLE CITY ON THE LAKE!!

When I ventured out to buy my first home, the first place I thought to look was Whiting. I lived in Chicago all of my life and felt that I needed a change and my children needed a chance at a "childhood." This is exactly what we found here in Whiting. My children have grown accustomed to all the wonderful things Whiting has to offer. We look forward to all the celebrations each year. We love the schools here. The teachers are great and the academics are beyond measure. Whiting is the only place I can see calling home. I couldn't imagine living any where else. I love the feel of the small community. When walking down the streets of Whiting you get a real sense of the tightness this community shares. I would hate to lose this. It took me so long to venture out and purchase a home and so much longer to find a place to call home. I hope to see this community flourish rather than diminish. If HOME is where the HEART IS than my home is called WHITING!!!!

My Grandmother, Agnes Portman, lived at the corner of White Oak and Steiber for over 60 years. My most treasured memories are visiting her every holidaymost especially on the 4th of July. The parade in Whiting was and is still a family tradition that I have passed on to my own childen. Whiting Park is my favorite community park. "The Little Town On the Lake" is one of NWI's greatest treasures. My grandma passed several years ago, but Whiting is still very special to me and I go back as often as possible. GO WHITING!!!!!

Tho no longer a resident, I have fondest memories -- my father Paul Sr., an auxiliary policeman, volunteer SOCO firefigher plus as BSA leader; my own GSA troop/leader outings, marching in 4th of July Parades as GRC Drum Majorette, Whiting Park fireworks (my Dad supervised), Saturday matinees with free pass prizes at the Hoosier cinema, St.John the Baptist school education; and Whiting's great Public Library - a second home! My relatives live in Whiting still and hopefully will be able to continue to so do. It was a grand place in which to grow up!

Whiting is the 4th of July, the beach, 119th street, football games, uptown, White Castles, the candy store, Millies, Perogi fest, trick-r-treating, jock block, family dollar, the library, symphony in the park, fireworks, the theater, community center, the scoop shop, Shermans, video zone...but most of all its HOME!!!!

Whiting is a tight knit community that takes pride in what it has come to be. Its quaint town is made of beauty shops, floral shops, eyecare, lawyers... and one of a kind stores. Many of these are located within a four block range. The Community Center offers activities for the young and old at heart. Basketball, swimming, bowling, aerobics... just to name a few. This is where friends get together and just have fun. In the summer, Whiting Park offers everyone the opportunity to spend an evening in the park listening to a variety of music. The Park has always been a pleasurable spot for me from barbecuing, swimming, and spending quality time with family and friends. The Pierogi Fest entices neighbors near and far to be spectators of the parade, taste its' towns specialities and view the arts and crafts... Whiting will continue to be a proud town that takes pride in serving its and other communities.

I looked up contact information on the NBC site after reading Marisa's post. In the 'contact us' section it states: "To reach producers, anchors and correspondents"... the following email addresses are given. For Today Show: Today@NBCUNI.com, for Nightly News: Nightly@NBC.com, for Dateline: Dateline@NBCUNI.com I've sent them a link to this website.

I just recieved a response from ABC..they read my e-mail and saw the link about Whiting. I wrote to John Stossel and Maxim Lott from the Stossel Unit responed. He wasn't sure if there was anything they could do. Think of Extreme Home Makeover... this is an entire town with 5000 residents. We need NATIONAL COVERAGE!!! Everyone write to ABC.TV.Stossel.Reporting@abc.com and try to get the network toair our story. The Indiana Legislature will have to answer up to this fiasco and hopefully save Whiting!

I love Whiting! This place is the best city that I ever lived in my 20yrs. Now I have kids, and I plan to raise my kids here. It's great to raise your family, so that's my opinion. I've never felt more safe in this area then any other place. Trust me I've been everywhere. LOL! The schools are great, and no matter what you need everything is all right there. You don't have to go that far. All I'm saying is Whiting is a great city don't fix something that isn't broken.

I moved away 11 years ago and still call Whiting home (helps that my family is still there of course). It made me sad to receive this message and to think about all that my grandparents and uncle did to make Whiting more than just a "dot on the map". Whiting is home and although the people and faces have changed since I have lived there, it is still rich in history and character and should remain that way for many years to come. I support Mayor Stahura and all that he is trying to do to help save Whiting. My grandparents lived long enough to see their children’s children enjoy Whiting and I would like for my mom to have that same opportunity!

I was born, raised, and I am a graduate of WHS. After high school I went away to college but returned home to give back to the community that has given back to me tenfold. I work at The Whiting Library and I am a School Board Trustee. This town is a historic landmark and it would be a huge mistake to see it destroyed.

Wow...I remember marching in Whiting Centennial 4th of July parade in 1989. Half of the reason I had such a happy childhood was because of Whiting! What other city has a beach, an extremely nice park, access to a major city, a nationally-known food festival, a love for the working class, and an old-time small-town feel? None other than Whiting! I agree with the guy who said it sounds like somethin\' fishy\'s goin\' on here...I know for a FACT that Whiting folks are very good at speaking their minds. Let\'s open our big Whiting mouths and not let this happen!

My grandmother lived in Whiting my entire childhood. My mother always brought us here to see my grandmother, see a movie or go shopping. I grew up at the beach here ~ swimming, playing in the playground and hearing my echo under the bridge in the park. I moved to Whiting about a year ago, and if feels like home again. Everything is still right where it should be. Don't let anyone take that from you ~ this small town is built on memories from past, present and future generations. The school system is soooo much more than what's offered in Hammond, we dont want our children to miss out of an education, because that is exactly what would happen in a hammond school ! We have our own reputation and stand strong in the convictions of whiting ~ lets not let anyone take that away !

I have lived in Whiting/Robetsdale for many years. It is a beautiful community to live, raise children, and grow old in. I do enjoy all the festivals every year, and the ability to walk wherever I choose, be Wolf Lake, George Lake, Whiting Park etc and enjoy the area safely. Our "Little City By the Lake" is famous for its small town atmosphere. Please don't let us be destroyed. Let us remain as we are into the future

Growing up in Whiting is a part of life you will never forget! The State of Indiana has alot to lose if this bill passes & the City of Whiting ceases to exist! The current tax issues have destroyed this beautiful city & caused many to move because they just can\'t afford the astronomical rise in taxes. Kudos to those who have afforded to stay believing Whiting is worth fighting for!!! It is a diamond in the rough & should remain the beautiful Little City by the Lake in which we raise our families for many generations to come! I

I grew up in Whiting and all of my family were Whiting residents. Many fond memories remain of the City by the Lake, where friendly people watched over the kids, providing the extra parenting we all needed. It would be a shame to lose this because of State of Indiana mistakes. Whiting will always be the precious jewel in Indiana's crown.

Hi. Don't be mad everyone, but I'm from just over the border on the East Side, but I've always loved coming to Whiting. When I was young, my mother would take me to the Whiting News Agency, where I could get a little brown paper bag, and fill it full with a dollars worth of candy! It's a great childhood memory. I attend Pierogi Fest every year, and even pay to go to your beach b/c it's so much nicer than Cal. I've been enjoying all that your little town has to offer my entire life, and it would be a shame to see anything bad happen to such a great place! Good Luck residents of Whiting!

I was raised in Whiting IN, but even after the last 11 years living in Tampa, I still think of Whiting as \"Home\". I think everyone should have a chance to live in a town like Whiting atleast once in their life....

The other night I watched several Whiting Police Officers find a little child wandering the streets. They got the child home safely, but not long after they returned to the house with bags of groceries for this little child and her family. It's people like this that make Whiting what it is, Whiting is not just a Little City on the Lake, it's a Community that Cares. Fight for it!

I lived in Whiting up until four year ago when we moved to Dyer.I recently was back in town and went to the post office. I was greeted with a "Where have you been?"" We haven't seen you in awhile."I walked thru downtown and had a police officer roll down his window and yell "hello, did you move I haven't seen you lately." As I walked I have never felt so missed. Only in Whiting!

I was born and raised in Whiting and part of me will always be there. It was and is a great little city and trust me there arn't many like it left in this world.

Mayor Joe is doing an outstanding job. Keep up the good work Joe. Thanks for everything.

I will always call Whiting home. St. John the Baptist, George Rogers Clark, St. Joe's Cal College, Pierrogifest, submarine races at Bobby Beach...;-) Having lived on the west coast, Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, Whiting blends tons of pride, a slice of secure Andy of Mayberry with the Chicago skyline for a nightcap. THINK: What are the real motives to shut Whiting down and deteriorate property values??? So developers can snatch up lakefront property at cents on the dollar? Think about it. Somethng wrong is happening behind the scenes and it must be uncovered. Think of class actions?

I have both friends and family who live in Whiting, and would hate to see this community destroyed by the recent tax laws. Citizens of Whiting be assured that lawmakers across Lake County and Indiana are supporting efforts to amend HB1001 to preserve your social services and government.

As kids, my little brother and I used to ride our bikes to Whiting from East Chicago because we loved it so much here. Now I have had the pleasure of working in Whiting for over 8 years, coming here reminds me of some of the good times we had growing up. The people in this town and generations before them worked so hard to make this city what it is, give credit where credit is due, please!

My great-great grandparents emigrated from Austria-Hungary to this area, eventually settling into this community. I was third generation born and raised in Whiting. I moved out of state some years ago, but I've always been so proud to say I grew up in Whiting. It will always be my hometown. Those generations of families that still live and work in the city deserve to keep their hometown. The history and culture of Whiting should always remain. It would be an incredibly sad moment , and indescribably unfair, for this crazy and wonderful place to be no more. The state made the problem; the state should have no choice but to fix the situation for all those who live and work in this little city full of pride. Not to mention the blood, sweat and tears of so many generations before.

I cannot imagine life without Whiting. I grew up in Whiting and will always call it home. I have traveled all over this country - from San Diego, CA to Durham, NC and just about everywhere in between and there is truly no place like Whiting. And people across the country know about Whiting too ... I no longer have to say, "Northwest Indiana" when telling someone from Denver where I am from - they know Whiting. For nearly 120 years this city has made it through the ups and downs of the region and the world - and to pull the plug in this day and age would be a slap in the face to all of those who have worked tirelessly to make this city what it is. Our grandparents and great-grandparents chose to leave everything they knew in "the old country" to come to this city - to come to Whiting ... let's make sure it's still here for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Whiting is always a place to call home, no matter if you live here or not. We are a community who still value the little things about life - whether it's an early morning walk on a Saturday or going to a football game on Friday night. This is what makes a town like Whiting special. We take pride in our blue-collar work ethic. Our fathers and grand fathers worked in the mills and the refinary; they have given their lives so that their children could live in Whiting... why do people want to take that away? To them, Whiting may just be a name, but to us, it's a way of life.

My grandparents emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Whiting. My husband and I had no trouble deciding to stay in Whiting when we married. It is a great place to raise children. I always say that people who never lived in Whiting "don't get it". It has so much to offer and such a rich history. People in Chicago pay dearly to live so close to the lakefront. We have fought many times before to save our city...we must do it again!

I think those whom have involved themselves in this struggle for Whiting realize that what we are seeing from the general assembly is our state being run like a corporate entity. The sad truth is that today big business is leading the reins, they have the attention of the assembly and are guiding legislation very effectively. We need to help our state realize that Whiting is not a resource for big business; it is a resource for the residents of the state of Indiana. We need to show that the comm

I LOVE Whiting. I am SO proud to tell people where I'm from. While sitting in my Sociology class 2 semesters ago, I was very surprised to hear my professor say she didn't know her neighbors. Everyone knows everyone here. Thats part of the charm! When I was in Fort Wayne, I brought several friends home with me and they were AMAZED at how cute and quaint and homey Whiting felt. I can't imagine living anywhere else and I hope they don't take away my home.

I lived in Whiting for the first 23 years of my life, and these were some of the best years. I can remember sledding in the park, watching the trains, and school shopping at McCrory's downtown. Whiting always had a small town feel that made it feel like home, and nowhere I've been since ever felt like home. Whiting means different things to different people, but those that know it love it.

Whiting has been a GREAT place to raise my children with an awesome school system, a very real sense of community, a place where you actually know your neighbors (often rare in this day and age!), where you make friends easily and know that others are watching out for you. This "Little City on the Lake" is a diamond in the rough with so much more potential that if our future is taken from us, it would ruin countless lives and families....please consider all the options, variables and potentia

Losing Whiting would be an indescribable loss for Indiana. Whiting is a rich jewel that deseves to shine. I happy to call Whiting my hometown.

We grew up in Whiting and consider ourselves lucky to be part of such a great community. Even though we've moved away, we're still in Whiting just about every week. If my Aunt Mariane was still alive, she would be furious that this is even an issue. Please save our memories and the City of Whiting!!!!!

I have lived in whiting for 24 years of my life! My father is a city worker and two of my sibling there are tons of city workers in this city that if all this goes through will lose their jobs, how are we going to be able to keep our apartment on the salary of two people when we basically need the salary that we are getting now? I dont see how people do not wanna help save this city which is a wonderful city to live in

I am planning to move to Whiting this spring. The reason for us taking the trip out of Chicago is for safer streets and better schools. We have spent alot of time in this wonderful town. And to hear of the possibility of Whiting being no more is very moving. Myself a person who is just about to begin a life here in Whiting cannot imagine the feelings long-time residents of this wonderful community are facing. I found a great place for my family it is called Whiting... and it must and will be sav

What will happen to Perogi Fest? I love Whiting its still a great town.

Why would the state want to sink Whiting? Well, since we let them lease the Toll Road for Indy's pet projects, now they want to bring a refinery into their sphere of influence. I think everyone here needs to send Mini-Mitch back under the rock he crawled out from! Tell Indy "hands off!" Here's to the 51st State in the Union, Whiting, USA!!!!

I have lived in Whiting for the short life I have lived so far. I have always had the best time at the 4th of July parades, Pierogi Fest,and countless other things. I would just hate for it to not be saved because I have had sooo many memories in the city of Whiting! Whiting High School's very good football team would become nothing. Think about the residents that have and still live here! They all want to save Whiting!

I'm 8 years old, my parents moved to Whiting when I was a baby to raise me in a safe neighborhood with great schools, a wonderful library and beautiful parks. PLEASE don\'t take that away from me.

Whiting is where I was born and raised, a city with meaning and history, a city where I will raise my own family!! Save Whiting!!!!

I just wrote a letter and sent this link to a major news program. Hopefully it will gain national attention and we will be able to save Whiting!

we are the whiting news for over 100 years, but the times has been difficult lately. the 3% cap of our value would help us , but why does bp a foreign company also have a 3% cap on their value like us, and they assesed their property