The Starke County Council has a new member. The Democratic Party recently selected Nancy Dembowski to serve the remaining two years of the late Jennifer Davis’ term. Continue reading
Democrats Tap Dembowski for Vacant Council Seat
Ted Hayes Remembers His Friend, Jennifer Davis
A Memorial Mass is scheduled tomorrow for a Starke County native and longtime public servant. Ted Hayes will deliver the eulogy for his friend, Jennifer Davis, and was kind enough to share a few thoughts with us.
A gathering of friends will take place this evening from 4 until 8 p.m. at O’Donnell Funeral Home in North Judson, with a 4 p.m. Rosary Service. Tomorrow’s Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. at S.S. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in North Judson.
Davis Presides Over Final Commissioners Meeting, Cowen Honored
Jennifer Davis has presided over her final meeting as president of the Starke County Commissioners. Instead of seeking reelection to that body, Davis opted instead to run for a seat on the Starke County Council.
“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to serve,” Davis said at the conclusion of Monday’s county commissioners meeting. Democrat Don Binkley is taking her place.
Davis attended yesterday’s reception at the Starke County Sheriff’s Department in honor of Sheriff Oscar Cowen. He’s held that office for eight years and is stepping down due to term limits. Democrat Bill Dulin will take over as sheriff in January.
Starke County Commissioners Clarify Campground Storage Policy
Seasonal camping is allowed at Bass Lake, but year-round storage of campers and other equipment is not. That’s the clarification Starke County Park Board President Marcia Bedrock got from the county commissioners during their meeting yesterday. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Contract for Highway Superintendent
A philosophical disconnect between the Starke County Commissioners may keep them from offering county highway superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term employment contract. His is one of the jobs appointed each year by the commissioners. President of the Commissioners Jennifer Davis would like to change that.
“This is to our advantage to have a contract with our current highway superintendent, because of the job that he has demonstrated that he has done. I hope that we will be able to consider that at our next meeting,” Davis said during the Monday, Nov. 3 Starke County Commissioners meeting.
That will require a unanimous vote. Commissioner Kathy Norem supports the notion, but Commissioner Kent Danford does not. Continue reading
Starke County Council Establishes Park Board
Starke County now has a parks and recreation board. The Starke County Council established the body to oversee amenities like the Bass Lake Beach and Campground, Starke County Forest and other county-owned recreational areas. Continue reading
Binkley Beats Dembowski in Commissioners Primary
Former Knox Mayor and state representative Nancy Dembowski will not be making a political comeback as a member of the Starke County Board of Commissioners. She lost to fellow Democrat Donald Binkley by 126 votes in the primary.
“It’s just important, I think, for everyone to work together on the county level to make certain we have one goal in mind, and that’s the benefit of the people who live in Starke County,” Dembowski said.
So far Binkley is unopposed in the November 4th General Election. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Proclaim Correctional Employees Week
The Starke County Commissioners have proclaimed May 4-10 Correctional Employees Week.
Todd Willis chairs the Starke County Community Corrections Board of Directors. He says keeping the community safe is just part of what the agency does.
Starke County Council Makes Loan to General Fund
Starke Commissioners Table CEDIT Appropriations
The Starke County Commissioners on Monday morning were forced to table a discussion item until the next meeting because Commissioner Kent Danford was absent, and Commissioner Jennifer Davis could not act on the item due to a possible conflict of interest.
Charles Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, approached the commissioners requesting they authorize the annual CEDIT appropriations to be submitted to the county council. Weaver said half of the CEDIT funds will go toward bridges, one-eighth will go to the commissioners and three-eighths will go to the Economic Development Fund.
IU Health Starke Hospital Interim Director Answers Asset Questions
Starke County Commissioners Approve 2014 Holiday Schedule
Public Health Forum Held Last Night in Knox
Community Health Meetings Scheduled in Starke County
County Officials Unhappy with IU Health’s Hospital Plan
North Judson Town Council Praised for Norwayne Field Lights
Starke County Commissioner Jennifer Davis attended the most recent meeting of the North Judson Town Council to express, on behalf of the commissioners, their thanks to the North Judson Park Board, Council, and anyone else that had anything to do with the Christmas light display at Norwayne Field. Davis said the lights were spectacular and a fine representation of the community and Starke County.
Starke County Jail Committee Answers Questions From the Community
Thursday’s public information meeting regarding the progress of the Starke County Jail Committee answered a number of questions from the community.
One question asked was whether or not prisoners could be used to clean up roads and do other work for the county, and committee member Dave Pearman said that is one possibility that is being considered. However, Pearman pointed out that prisoners need to be supervised at all times, and they also have to factor in the cost of transportation and the chance of escape.
Starke County Commissioners Reorganize
In the first meeting of the new year, the Starke County Commissioners reorganized and made appointments to several boards. Kathy Norem was elected as the President of the Board of Commissioners with Dan Bridegroom as Vice President and Jennifer Davis as Secretary. The vote for commissioner Norem was unanimous, and she thanked her predecessor, Dan Bridegroom, for his three years of service as Board President. Martin Lucas was retained as the county attorney.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Ambulance
Councilman David Pearman commented on the issue that when county begins making ALS runs, that is going to open up a new revenue source, but at the same time there will be more activity for the rigs. Pearman also noted that there are many municipalities that are privatizing their ambulance service, so there as some quality used rigs available if they can just be found.
Commissioner Dan Bridegroom said that the ambulances the county currently owns need to be thoroughly checked for issues, but it’s hard to take them out of service to do so. Another issue is that with the older rigs, parts are not always available.
A motion was made to seek the transfer of the money for the purchase of the new rig or two used ones by Commissioner Jennifer Davis. The motion was approved unanimously.
Starke County Council Discusses and Approves Proposed Starke County Library Project
The Starke County Council approved a proposal by the Starke County Library Board to finance an expansion-renovation project. A representative from Umbaugh and Associates told the council members that the bonds would not exceed $1,785,000 and would cost the taxpayers 17 cents per $1,000 in assessed valuation.
