There is one defining characteristic of many Portage residents that always seems to stand out when you talk to them, and that is of the pride they have for the city they live in.
This week’s Portage Life in the Spotlight, James Hazzard of Samuelson Insurance, one of Porter County’s longest standing businesses, is a reflection of that pride for Portage and an example of someone taking action in helping to build a better community for generations to come.
And for Hazzard, the desire to build a better Portage runs in the family.
“I was born and raised here in Portage,” Hazzard told IIMM. “My family is the Samuelson and Hamstroms, so family ties are part of why I want to get involved with growing Portage.”
Hazzard, a graduate of Portage High School, has been in Portage all of his life sans college and time spent proudly serving our Nation in the Army for ten years. Hazzard said he enjoyed his time in the military, but ultimately knew his calling was back home in Portage.
“My time in the Army was a great experience, and on my last appointment my daughter was born,” Hazzard added. “I knew then I wasn’t ready to leave Portage and came back home to work at Samuelson.”
When Hazzard returned, he saw that Portage had been growing tremendously, but along with this growth came change, and with this change Hazzard felt there was a need for those who have lived in the community their whole lives to get actively involved in helping the city grow while keeping the city’s uniqueness intact.
“We are getting more and more people moving into our city, which is a great thing,” Hazzard said. “People from all different areas and walks of life are coming in, and that’s awesome, but it brings up the challenge of being able to adapt with this change.”
Any way that Hazzard can get involved in making Portage a better city, he wants to be a part of it. Currently, he is involved with the Portage Planning Commission, Board of Zoning, the Utility Service Board, and the Friends of Portage Township Parks, among many others.
Hazzard is also proud to be a part of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, where he can help make a direct impact on the economic future of the city.
“It may sound a little cliche, but to grow our city everything has to come together and everyone has to work together,” Hazzard said about his involvement with the Chamber. “This is why I got involved with the Chamber, to help build on our strong business community and ensure we are working together to pump dollars back into our city.
Because after all, as Hazzard says, Portage is home for him, his wife, and his daughter. The city has given so much to him and his family throughout the years, and anything he can do to help build a better future for his family and the families who are also proud to call Portage home, is a step in the right direction.
“Portage is where I plan to stay, and it’s where I plan to raise my family. I love this city, and I truly believe we need more people who care to get involved, and who want to get involved for the right reasons and help build our city.”