The Town of Winamac is keeping much of its leadership the same for another year, but a few uncertainties remain. During the first town council meeting of 2021 Monday, members reappointed Mike Buchanan as chief of police.
He came out of retirement last year to lead the department temporarily, and Council President Tom Murray said he doesn’t want to stay for another whole year. “But he said he’d go six or eight months, whatever we needed to do until we kind of get it figured out of what we’re going to do to get a chief,” Murray explained.
There was also some discussion about the park manager position. Dave DeLorenzo was ultimately reappointed, but Council Member Alvin Parish stressed that that could change in 2022, if he doesn’t meet the expectations outlined by the town council. “Maybe he ought to be told that this is a probationary year,” Parish said. “He’s on the hot seat for a year. Tell him right upfront that he’s got it for the next year, but after that – “
Town Manager Brad Zellers and a number of other officials were all reappointed. Murray was reelected council president, while Parish takes over as vice-president.
Meanwhile, the Winamac Park Board will get a couple new members. The town council chose Renee Calabrese to replace Jon Chapman, who did not seek reappointment. The Pulaski County Public Library Board will appoint one of its members to replace Pat Bawcum.
Newly-elected council member Larry Weaver will replace former council member Jim Watkins on the Winamac Plan Commission. Council members hoped that Calabrese would fill a vacancy there, as well.
Council Member Parish agreed to serve on the Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District Board, and Council Member Judy Heater was appointed to the Community Wellness Center Board. Council President Murray will represent the council on the board of a new nonprofit organization, Galbreath Family Charities.
