"There is no debate." Actually there is a debate, according to other readers who responded to my column last week attempting to define the geographical limits of "Da Region." (Read it at NWI.
com .) I asked, is it spreading across Northwest Indiana like urban sprawl, or will it forever be the same geographical spot on any map? "The region grows as public corruption spreads to south Lake County and now Portage," Jim H. wrote to me.
Other readers outlined three "acceptable zones" within a regional hierarchy: "Region Prime," north of Interstate 94 and west of Interstate 65; "Zone Two," north of U.S. 30 and west of Indiana 49; and "Zone Three," north of Route 2 and west of Route 421.
"Anyone who is outside these areas doesn't count, and any Colts fan — regardless of their zone — is at the bottom of the hierarchy," Jack F. said. How about Michigan City? Dyer? Chesterton? Valparaiso? Lowell? Crown Point? The list goes on.
Perception is reality for most outsiders. "I have given this topic a lot of thought over the years," Gary B. wrote.
"The Region is not Porter County. And who in their right mind could claim Michigan City, Chesterton and Valpo are part of the Region? Delusional. While all of these communities now have many residents who left the Region for greener pastures, once you leave, you are out of the club.
Same for south Lake County." Do you agree? "When I attended Purdue in West Lafayette in '78, from Valparaiso, I was labeled a Region Rat," Ray Oznola said. "If the res.