The Starke County Commissioners could vote tonight to offer highway superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term contract. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis is spearheading the effort to ensure the long-term road repair and bridge maintenance plans for the county are carried out. However, she does not plan to vote on the measure since she is stepping down as commissioner to take a seat on the county council. Commissioner Kathy Norem is in favor of the notion, but Commissioner Kent Danford has expressed reservations about the precedent such an action would set. During a meeting last month he called the offer of a multi-year contract to Ritzler a “test case.” He agreed after that meeting to talk to county attorney Marty Lucas about his concerns. Danford did not attend the Monday, Dec. 1 commissioners meeting, so the matter was reset for this evening. That meeting starts at 7 p.m. CST at the county annex building.
