There will be a Democrat Caucus tonight to select a replacement for Linda Belork, but the replacement will not be called the Treasurer of Starke County. Linda Belork, with counsel, appeared before Judge Kim Hall yesterday seeking an injunction against a Democrat caucus being held to fill her position by the precinct committeemen.
Judge Hall ruled that because State Statute does not guide him in this motion he would fashion a ruling on the testimony. The judge interviewed Attorney Ethan Lowe as well as Democrat Chairman Ken Wallace. When completed, Judge Hall ruled that a caucus could proceed tonight, but that the person selected would be referred to as the Interim Treasurer. As the Interim Treasurer, the candidate would have the full authority of the Treasurer’s position to make decisions and sign documents.
The person who is selected for the Interim position will be made aware that if Linda Belork’s case in Jasper County is successful she will be reinstated in her position and the interim person will cease filling the duties of Treasurer.
Starke County Democrat Party Chairman Ken Wallace was asked if he was happy with Judge Hall’s ruling.
“I’m glad the way it went,” said Wallace. “We’ll go ahead with the caucus Thursday night, December 1st at 7:00 p.m. at the Knox Community Center. We’ll wait and see how the Jasper County trial goes and go from there.”
Wallace was asked if he thinks the situation with the Treasurer’s office is detrimental to the party.
“As far the injunction, no, but I think that the party has suffered from this. It’s bad for Linda, it’s bad for the county, bad for the party and we’re coming up with another election and if this goes on for another eight months, it’ll make it that much worse. We need to get it behind us.”
