A new project has been installed along Erie Trail in the Town of North Judson.
Continue readingStarke Council Approves Change to Innkeeper’s Tax
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Manufactured Homes Ordinance
Starke Commissioners Accept Two Bids for County Work
For the reassessments, four companies submitted timely bids and all were compliant with the county’s requirements. The county received bids from Tyler Technologies of Ohio, Accurate Assessments of Fort Wayne, Nexus Group of Zionsville, and the Appraisal Research Corporation of Ohio. The commissioners approved a motion taking the bids under advisement, and will discuss the matter further at a meeting in April.
Starke Commissioners Approve CSI Maintenance Agreement
Starke County Council to Review Jail Settlement
County attorney Martin Lucas will present a proposed mediation agreement regarding overcrowding conditions at the county jail to the Starke County Council when they meet this evening. Jack Haut and several other inmates sued the county in April of 2011. Their lawsuit claims the cramped conditions violate their civil rights. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office has been sending prisoners to Pulaski County for the past year to alleviate the overcrowding, and the county is moving forward with plans to build a new jail east of Knox on State Road 8 and County Road 550 East.
Starke Commissioners Approve Engineering Work for Bridge 43
Another Starke County bridge is soon to be repaired, as the commissioners this week gave their approval to sign paperwork for the engineering aspect of the repairs on Bridge 43, located near Koontz Lake. Mark Wilson with engineering firm Jones, Petrie, and Rafinski approached the commissioners with paperwork to be signed for the go-ahead on the engineering study.
Decision Reached in Belork Case; Reinstated as Treasurer
A decision has finally been reached in the case against Linda Belork, former Starke County treasurer. The attorney for the Starke County Commissioners, Martin Lucas, told Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter that the commissioners were faced with a serious problem when the funds were reportedly misappropriated in the treasurer’s office according to the State Board of Accounts. He said the commissioners acted according to statute in removing her from office and filing suit against her bond.
Judge Lifts Temporary Restraining Order Against Linda Belork
The restraining order against former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork was removed Wednesday in Jasper Circuit Court after attorney Martin Lucas requested it. Lucas told Judge John Potter that the purpose of the temporary restraining order in the first place was only to prevent any destruction or alteration of public records in the immediate aftermath of the executive order to remove her from the Treasurer’s office.
Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, did not object and the 15 minute court appearance ended. Although a discrepancy of thousands of dollars was initially reported, all funds were eventually accounted for.
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 Council Reorganizes, Makes Appointments
After serving five years as the Starke County Council President, Mark Smith announced before yesterday’s reorganization meeting that he would not stand for reelection. David Pearman was elected the President and Mitch Semans the Vice President. Attorney Martin Lucas was retained as the council attorney.
In appointments:
Mitch Semans accepted both the Starke County Economic Development position and the Council’s seat on the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission.
Tony Radkiewicz was named to the Solid Waste Board.
Judy Benninghoff remained on the Planning Commission.
Ken Wallace was reappointed to the Alcohol Beverage Commission Board.
Linda Belork’s Case Heard in Jasper Court
Jasper County Circuit Court Judge John Potter heard arguments yesterday in a hearing where is was requested that a Temporary Restraining Order be removed to allow Linda Belork to resume her duties as the Starke County Treasurer.
That request was being opposed by the Starke County Commissioners.
In the hearing yesterday, Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, argued that only the State’s Attorney General could remove an elected official from office. He said, “The county commissioners can only “piggy back” on actions brought by the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General’s office has to initiate civil proceedings with the county prosecutor.”
Linda Belork’s Hearing is Today in Jasper County
A hearing will be held in Jasper County today on Linda Belork’s request to have a court-imposed Temporary Restraining Order removed allowing her to return to her duties as the Starke County Treasurer. Belork has been out of the office since August 13th after being removed by the County Commissioners following the issuance of a State Audit showing thousands of dollars in discrepancies.
The money has been found, but Belork has been blocked by the order from returning to office. Objecting to her return are the Starke County Commissioners. Judge John Potter will be seeking pertinent information from Belork’s attorney, Ethan Lowe, and Martin Lucas, attorney for the commissioners, during today’s hearing.
Linda Belork’s Lawsuit Moved to Jasper County
A change of venue has been granted by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall in the lawsuit filed by former Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork. The suit was brought about after Belork’s August 11th dismissal of her duties as treasurer of the county. Belork was relieved of her duties by the County Commissioners after a state audit reported financial discrepancies. According to a later commissioner’s report, some of the discrepancies have been cleared up by the Auditor’s office.
Ethan Lowe, Belork’s attorney, asked for a change of venue from Starke County. Representing the County in the matter is attorney, Martin Lucas.
Treasurer Restraining Order Hearing Rescheduled
A hearing was to have been held today to discuss the temporary restraining order issued by the Starke Circuit Court that relieved Treasurer Linda Belork of her duties. Belork’s attorney Ethan Lowe, of Valparaiso, asked for a change of venue, so the hearing has been rescheduled for Aug. 30.
Lowe and County Attorney Martin Lucas will discuss an acceptable change of venue court for the hearing. Judge Kim Hall indicated he would hold a hearing to help both parties if an acceptable court could not be found.
Belork has been out of the office since Aug. 11, when the commissioners removed her after receiving an audit from the state showing a large number of funding discrepancies.
On another matter, County Attorney Lucas told WKVI Wednesday that a decision has been made by the commissioners to not hold a tax sale this year.
