Nominations Sought for Starke County Park Board

Published: August 21, 2014

By: Mary Perren, WKVI

Starke County officials are seeking nominations for volunteers to serve on the county park board. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall and the Starke County Council each have two nominations – one Democrat and one Republican. The Starke County Commissioners will select the fifth member. Political affiliation is not a consideration for the commissioner’s nominee. Potential board members should be Starke County residents with an interest in and knowledge of parks and recreation. The board is charged with promoting parks, public open spaces and recreational activities on county-owned properties. These include the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, Starke County Forest and other lands. The board will develop and implement policies regarding their use, maintenance and development in hopes of increasing their awareness and use.

One of their first challenges will be to address camping guidelines at the Bass Lake Campground. It is owned by the county but contractually managed by Richard Callahan. The county commissioners have opted to let the park board decide whether extended campsite leases will be allowed there after several seasonal campers complained about their proposal to limit camping to 15 days at a time.

Interested nominees for the judicial appointments need to submit letters of interest for consideration to: Judge Kim Hall, Starke County Courthouse, P.O. Box 395, 53 Washington St., Knox, IN 46534 or by email to judgekimhall@co.starke.in.us.

Interested nominees for the council or commissioners appointments may be submitted to: Auditor Kay Chaffins, Starke County Annex Building, 53 East Mound St., Knox, IN 46534 or by email to auditor@co.starke.in.us.

Nominations should be submitted no later than Sept. 12. The initial membership terms will be staggered. As they expire, each new appointment will be for four years.