Railroad Township Questioned on School Board Appointment Process

Posted on September 8, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI 

The process of appointing North Judson-San Pierre School Board members was discussed during Wednesday’s Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. School officials, as well as local residents, are considering whether the appointed school board should be changed to an elected one.

As part of that process, Larry and Deb Wappel approached the Railroad Township Advisory Board to learn more about how it goes about appointing school board members. Advisory board member Gus Eckert said the process is pretty simple. “We vote on them,” he said. “Basically, when Pat [Goin] came up, there was a recommendation. I forget who even was going out at the time, and then we just voted on them and she was elected. And that’s the last we’ve ever had to do.” He adds that over the past several years, the township has simply reappointed Goin, since no one voiced any objections and no one else expressed interest in the seat.

The Wappels were concerned that the township didn’t do more to notify the public when the position would come up for reappointment. Railroad Township Trustee Mandy Thomason says that will change when the seat is up for reappointment again next year. She says the township will advertise for a school board member, and the public will have a chance to offer input.

However, she adds that state law doesn’t seem to provide much guidance for how appointed school board members may be chosen, other than saying that the decision’s up to the township advisory board. “I’ve not read all of the Indiana codes; we will be following those to the T,” she said. “I don’t know if we can form a committee kind of to pick out three good candidates from a committee and then have the board approve from there. It will be something I’ll be looking into.” Thomason also pointed out that Railroad Township’s school board member also represents Cass Township, even though Cass Township residents have no say over who is elected to the Railroad Township Advisory Board.

While Deb Wappel clarified that she had no complaints about Goin’s service on the board, Wappel was more concerned about the appointment process itself. She says that under the current system, new school board members often end up being chosen by their predecessors on the board.

More information on the appointment process is expected at the October 5 Railroad Township Advisory Board meeting. Meanwhile, the North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will hold a public hearing on an appointed versus elected board Monday at 7 p.m. in the N.J.-S.P. High School auditorium.

Starke Commissioners Looking to Fill Board Vacancies

May 19, 2016AuthorMary Perren, WKVI 

 

The Starke County Commissioners are looking to fill three seats on the Convention and Visitor’s Commission. The board promotes the development and growth of the convention, visitor and tourism industry in the county.

Prospective appointees must reside in Starke County and be (1) “engaged in a convention, visitor, or tourism business; or (2) involved in or promoting conventions, visitor’s, or tourism.  If available and willing to serve, at least two members must be engaged in the business if renting or furnishing rooms, lodging, or accommodations.”

Political balance is required. At this time three Republican and one Democrat seats are available.

The commissioners are also looking to fill an appointment to the Knox City Planning Commission created by the recent death of Mary Bendt. Prospective appointees must live outside the Knox city limits but within the two-mile jurisdiction for zoning purposes. A Republican is preferred in order to ensure political balance, but the commissioners can appoint a Democrat if a Republican does not express an interest. That’s what they did in Bendt’s case.

Interested parties may submit a letter of interest to the Starke County Commissioners, in care of the Starke County Auditor, 53 East Mound Street, Knox, IN  46534.  Contact any commissioner for more information.

Reorganized North Judson Council Approves Contract for Sidewalk Replacement

Published: January 7, 2015
By: Mary Perren, WKVI

The Town of North Judson will be able to leverage grant money for sidewalk and ramp replacement as part of their ADA improvement plan. Town board members approved a contract with consulting firm Fleis and Vandenbrink to assist with that project. The town’s plan calls for sidewalks to be replaced in 2015 and 2016 as funds allow. However, the 80-20 matching grant will allow the town to stretch its resources. The process is in the very early planning stages, and there’s no timeline yet for when work will be done.

In other business, Wendy Hoppe was reelected town council president. Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry swore in recently reelected council members Josh Brown and Justin Davis. Both were appointed to the council when it expanded from a three to a five-member board and were just elected to their first four-year terms.

Council members appointed Jeff Abrams as building inspector. He replaces Tony Benson. By virtue of that position Abrams will also serve on the town’s unsafe building committee. Council members still need to fill two seats on that board. Other appointments include Jill Bejes to a four-year term on the park board and Rich Warner to the railroad advisory committee. Mike Sharkozy and Ken Dolezal were reappointed to the planning commission. Jerry Jernas, Tina Hittle and John Silhavey were reappointed to the BZA. The town still has two positions to fill on that board.

Hoppe will serve as the town’s representative on the Starke County Economic Development Commission Board of Directors and the railroad advisory board. Josh Brown was appointed to the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission and Tim Cummins to the Starke County Solid Waste Board.

Davis was named the town’s liaison for utilities, water and sewer; Brown will work with the police department; and Cummins will serve in that capacity with the town fire department and human resources.