Public speakers press commissioners to seek Indiana ATC review of county appointee

At the opening of the LaPorte County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 20, multiple residents urged the board to pursue an administrative review of a county appointee to the local Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Doug Newland, speaking for the Friends of La Porte County PAC, said vehicles carrying political mobile advertising were harassed this election season and that the conduct of a county appointee, Rodney McCormick, should be examined. "I just think that the conduct of this person should come into play as to whether he should hold that position," Newland said during public comment.

McCormick, who later identified himself as a state employee and addressed the meeting, defended his speech rights and disputed allegations of intimidation. "I have the absolute right to protest ignorance, I have the absolute right to tell you I don't like you," he told the board, and said anyone who objects can file a complaint with the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Board.

Several speakers described confrontations they said involved McCormick. County employee Angie Henzman told the board she was accosted while entering a meeting and said the sheriff had to intervene. Jody Slabaugh asked commissioners to stop defending a May 6 action he described as taken without jurisdiction and urged that a complaint be filed with the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) so the state agency can hold a hearing.

The commissioners and County Attorney Guy DiMartino cautioned that state law limits local authority. DiMartino explained the legal path: the ATC is the body that hears charges against ATC appointees and can remove or discipline them; the county itself lacks unilateral removal power. Commissioners encouraged people with specific complaints to put them in writing and suggested taking statements to the prosecutor or forwarding them to the ATC so the matter can be formally reviewed.

The meeting transcript records heated exchanges and profanity during public comment; the county attorney repeatedly urged decorum and reminded speakers this was the public‑comment portion of the meeting. Commissioners said they would reach out to the state contact to clarify next steps and encouraged residents to submit written statements for the record.

Next steps: Commissioners asked anyone with complaints or statements to provide them in writing to the commissioners' office so those materials can be forwarded to the appropriate prosecutorial or state administrative authorities for review.