The Starke County Park Board continues to hear from people interested in operating the Bass Lake Beach. The entire beach and campground is currently run by Callahan Development, LLC, which leases it from Starke County. But the company said it may be willing to give up control of the beach itself, to allow it to focus on the profitable campground and pier slots.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Park Board President Roger Chaffins said a couple more responses have come in over the past two weeks. One of those who expressed interest was Tabitha Dillner. She told board members she’d be willing to work with the various parties involved. “I left mine very vague and general on purpose because I don’t know exactly what he would like and us to get together and work out something that works for both ends,” she explained. “I don’t want to say, ‘This is it.'”
At this point, Chaffins said he’s passing along the proposals to Larry Clarich, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the beach and campground. “I’ll also tell you that I had a phone call yesterday from another person,” Chaffins said. “I gave them Larry’s phone number, and I said you might as well figure it out because I said what it is, we’re just trying to decide what to do, and tell us what you can do or what you’d be able to do with it.”
At this point, Clarich appears to be serving as an intermediary. Potential beach operators discuss their proposals with him. He, in turn, will negotiate with lessee Richard Callahan and Callahan’s attorney.
It still remains to be determined how exactly the operations would be split up. Complicating matters is the fact that any arrangement would have to be beneficial for at least three different parties: Callahan, Starke County, and the potential operator.
