Starke County Councilman-Elect Questioned about Residency

Posted on December 19, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The residency of Starke County Republican Councilman-Elect Tom DeCola is in question after the issue was raised during the Starke County Council meeting.

DeCola was elected as the Starke County Council District 4 representative in the General Election gathering 84 votes more than his opponent Democrat Karen Tibbs.

Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem addressed the council Monday night where she claims that DeCola does not reside at the address he put on the application to file for candidacy in the election. She said the address used on the application is 7410 W. 250 S. in North Judson. However, he reportedly doesn’t reside there.

She also said that the Starke County Sheriff’s Department investigated the property who found a barn on that property and the barn is said to be rented by another person. She went on to say that DeCola owns more property at 7310 W. 250 S. where another person occupies the home and rents from DeCola.

There is alleged recorded evidence where DeCola stated that he’s lived outside of the county for about three years.

County Council Vice President Dave Pearman said he spoke with Republican Chairperson Brenda Stanojevic and met with DeCola who said that he is living in the district and that he plans to move forward with his elected position.

DeCola was in attendance during Monday’s meeting where he stated that he has a Certificate of Occupancy at 7410 W. 250 S. in North Judson and lives in one of the barns on the property. He also said that the fact that another person rents the barn and allows him to live there is “misinformation.”

He also reportedly has multiple lawsuits involved in a tax sale in 2013 against the county alleging fraud.

WKVI News verified that the address used on DeCola’s application is 7410 W. 250 S. in North Judson, confirmed by the Starke County Voter Registration officials. Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson told WKVI News that DeCola does not have a Certificate of Occupancy for that property on file in his office. Additionally, there is no file of that sort in the assessor’s office. Stephenson explained that DeCola tore down a house on the property and installed a septic and other infrastructure at the pole barn. Stephenson said he did not issue a Certificate of Occupancy because he wasn’t able to see the infrastructure underneath the structure.

It was also noted that the property is registered in Ronald DeCola’s name.

County officials continue to look into the issue.

Meanwhile, prior to this discussion, the Starke County Council members considered a resolution that outlines the action of the council if a member is in violation of official duty, fails to perform the duties of the member’s office, or expel a member or vacate a member’s seat, as allowed by Indiana code. It also describes code of conduct for members and actions under the council code of conduct while in the elected office of county council. It passed with a unanimous vote.