Starke County is now working to find a permanent replacement for Coroner Adam Gray.
He notified Democratic Party officials in Starke County that he would be resigning effective at the end of Monday this week. In a letter to the Party, Gray cited several reasons for the resignation, including: additional opportunities through his full-time job and issues related to his family.
Starke County Democratic Party Chair Kenny Wallace says the process for finding a replacement will take 10 days.
“We will have a caucus on September the 10th at the VFW at our regular meeting,” says Wallace. “Whoever wants to run for it can file with the Clerk’s office, but they have to file 72 hours before the caucus for them to be valid.”
The Starke County Commissioners have been working diligently to find a replacement for Gray. Dr. Andrew Boersma – who is the Jasper County Coroner – has been tapped in the interim. He has roots in Starke County.
Boersma was sworn in at a ceremony on Tuesday in the Starke County Courthouse. There are only a couple of cases in need of review by the office until a permanent replacement can be found, according to the discussion.
Boersma says he will help Starke County in any way possible.
“I have my staff, and I’ve spoken with two of my deputies already, and both of them are willing to assist,” says Boersma.
Boersma says Jasper County will work with any permanent replacement to get them working in the proper direction. One candidate has already filed to run for the office, but the Democratic Party says anyone can run for the office.
There is some schooling that’s required, including a 40-hour class. Passing an externship with a pathologist to aid in the skills needed for the office is also required.
Once the Democratic Party has made their selection, the process of inducting a permanent Coroner into Starke County can begin.
