The Starke County Commissioners took action to reorganize and make appointments during their first meeting of 2025.
A motion was made by Commissioner Don Binkley to appoint Charles Chesak as the president of the commissioners which was seconded by Commissioner Michael VanDeMark. It passed with a unanimous vote. When it came to vice president, Chesak said that Binkley showed interest in being in that position, but thought VanDeMark would be “good in that spot” and he made that motion and VanDeMark seconded the motion. The vote passed with a vote of 2-1 with Binkley opposed.
Binkley will be the liaison of the Starke County Jail and Starke County EMS, while VanDeMark will be the liaison for the Highway Department, and Chesak will remain as the liaison for the Starke County Courthouse, Starke County Annex Buildings and the landfill.
Chesak will remain on the Starke County Drainage Board and Workforce Development Board.
Binkley will be on the Starke County Economic Development Foundation board, K-IRPC, Arrowhead RC&D Board, LEPC Board, and EMA Board.
VanDeMark will be on the Starke County Plan Commission and FEMA Board.
The commissioners unanimously approved the appointment of Eugene Pugh to be on the Starke County BZA. They approved Roberta Lee to be on the Starke County BZA by a vote of 2-1 with Binkley opposed.
They unanimously approved the following appointments: Angie Banks to the Starke County Health Board, Jim Long to the Starke County Aviation Board, Earl Henry and Marty Lucas to the Hospital Community Board, Joseph Pucell to the Alcohol Beverage Board, Victoria Chessor to the P.T.A.B.O.A. Board, Ed Jernas and Charles Chesak to the Starke County Drainage Board, Joanne Bailey to the Starke County Convention and Visitors’ Commission Board, Tom Busch to the Starke County Park Board, and Dan Gumz and Bill Crase to the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission Board.
There are still openings available if Starke County residents would like to apply. One Starke County Library Board member is needed, along with two city Plan Commission members, and three Starke County Convention and Visitors’ Commission members.
