Gary city council interviews boards and commissions candidates
The Gary City Council heard from 22 Gary residents who had submitted applications to fill vacancies on the city’s boards and commissions.
The council’s process to fill the vacancies is like the hiring process in the private world. A notice was published that 9 positions needed to be filled on six boards and commissions. Applicants were asked to submit a letter of interest and a resume.
The Monday, April 21 meeting of the council’s Boards and Commissions Committee, chaired by 5th District Councilwoman Linda Barnes-Caldwell, was the oral interview part of the process. This was the committee’s chance to meet face-to-face with those who, if selected, will help run city government.
Public boards and commissions allow citizens to participate in shaping public policy and decisions, contributing their expertise and experience.
Ivan Ursery applied to fill the vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the Gary Community School Corporation.
When the Gary school district was in the process of returning to local control in 2023, state law mandated a 5-member appointed school board. Three were appointed that year by the Indiana Secretary of Education and 1 each by the Gary mayor and the city council. Those 2 members serve 2-year terms.
This year, the council can reappoint Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud to the school board or replace her. The school board term ends on June 30.
Ursery told the committee his vision for the school district that included a trade school, an abstinence and marriage course, a bible class, and martial arts. “I’d like to see Gary’s elementary schools consolidated into 1 or 2 schools,” Ursery said.
The Gary school district has 5 elementary schools.
Applicants could apply for more than board. The most sought after was the vacancy on the Gary school board, with 11 applicants.
The oral interviews can be seen on the video of the council’s Boards and Commission’s April 21st meeting.
Listed below are the applicants in order of their appearance.
Economic Development
Commission – 1 Vacancy
Mary Cossey
Tom Olson also applied for the Redevelopment Commission board
Will Miller also applied for Redevelopment Commission
Redevelopment
Commission – 2 Vacancies
Joe L. White also applied for the GCSC Board of School Trustees
Raymond Davis also applied for Gary Public Transportation Board, Police Civil Service Commission, Fire Civil Service Commission, and GCSC Board of School Trustees
Robert Buggs also applied for Police Civil Service Commission, GCSC Board of School Trustees, and Gary Public Transportation Board
Fire Civil Service Commission – 1 Vacancy Republican
Charles Smith seeking reappointment; serves as chairman of the Commission
Eric Baker also applied for Police Civil Service Commission
Police Civil Service Commission – 2 Vacancies Democrat & Republican
Linda Peterson
Oliver Gilliam seeking reappointment; serves as chairman of the Commission
Cliff Caldwell
Gary Public
Transportation Corporation – 2 Vacancies Democrat & Republican
Anthony Manuel seeking reappointment, also applied for GCSC Board of School Trustees
Bruce McKenzie
Preston Ruby
Sharon Levels seeking reappointment
Gary Community School Corporation Board of School Trustees – 1 Vacancy
Angela Lockett
Danielle McClain
Vanessa Allen-McCloud seeking reappointment
Ivan Ursery
LaTasha Hall
Roy Hamilton
Teshezia George
Barnes-Caldwell said all the applicants will be notified of the decisions. The selected candidates will be announced and voted on at an upcoming council meeting.