Valparaiso Vidette-Messenger, Wednesday, 14 October, 1959

Republicans, Independents Seek Ogden Dunes Offices

(EDITOR'S NOTE--Another in series of stories about forthcoming town elections.)
OGDEN DUNES--This year for the first time in its history the residents of Ogden Dunes will stage a contest between the Republican and Independent parties for election of the town board of trustees.

Since the town's incorporation in 1925, it has followed the procedure of presenting a bi-partisan slate drawn up at a town caucus. This year, at the caucus, the Republican party moved to institute a separate slate of nominees for candidates as trustees of the five wards and a clerk-treasurer.

The town, almost completely residential, is an incorporated area of many striking, expensive homes. This is a community of commuters, with 95 percent of its inhabitants working in Chicago, East Gary, East Chicago, and surrounding areas.

Many New Homes
Much new home construction has been done in the past two years, with home costs ranging from about $14,000 to $100,000.

The battle of the ballot box evolves from a dispute among the town residents over debates to pursue legal action against the construction of heavy industry in the area, as opposed to negotiation with the steel companies and other prospective industries on a protection of property rights for the town citizens.

The town's current proposed tax rate is $2.32. Of this amount, no monies are expended for beach or recreational expenses. The Home Association, a privately owned group, supports recreational programs for the town through dues paid by its members. Tax money is used chiefly for road construction, street lights, snow removal and police protection.

The Ogden Dunes Planning commission is made up of town board members and two non-residents. The question of the effectiveness of the town's master plan is in doubt at present since the incorporation of the town of Portage, which includes a two mile fringe area surrounding Ogden Dunes.

Candidates for the Republican party include Charles G. Graves, incumbent town board president, candidate from ward 2. He is chief of design and development in the Railway Car Engineering department of General American Transportation corporation, Chicago.

Julius Milach, candidate for ward 3, is sales representative for Kahn Brothers, Chicago, Jay Grantham, Jr., candidate for ward 1, is president of Gratham Auto corporation, Gary. Joseph Benson, ward 4 nominee, is Control Engineer for Taylor-Forge, Gary.

Other Candidates
Candidate Sydney Young, ward 5 nominee, is Rool Sales Engineer, Blaw-Knox company, East Gary. The nominee for clerk-treasurer is Mrs. Margaret Mueller, housewife. Her husband is the Products Engineer for the General American Transportation corporation, East Chicago.

Candidates for Independent party are Melvin Tracht, ward one; Dr. Melvin Greim, second ward; Paul Van Leuven, third ward; Richard Smith, fourth ward and Richard Bauman, fifth ward. Ralph Collins is candidate for clerk treasurer.

Collins was not available today to supply more information on the Independent candidates.

[photo]
PARTISAN ELECTION FOR FIRST TIME--Ogden Dunes will hold partisan election Nov. 3, for first time in community's history. Residents will vote on candidates nominated by Republican and Independent parties. Cars parked along South Shore railroad at entrance to Ogden Dunes north of US 12, identify town as 'commuter's community.'(V-M Staff Photo)
[continuation under:]

OGDEN DUNES WITNESSING FIRST RACE

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