Railroad Township Volunteer Firefighters are apparently back on the job. At about 7:30 Thursday evening, Fire Chief Trask Darabaris told WKVI News that the department was back in service, after questions about insurance coverage were resolved. He said the reason his department had temporarily stopped responding to calls was that firefighters did not know which members were covered by the township’s insurance and which were not, if someone were to be injured while on a call.
Three local fire departments are teaming up to provide temporary coverage to Railroad Township. The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department announced on Facebook Thursday that Chief Joe Leszek, along with the chiefs of the LaCrosse and Medaryville-White Post Township volunteer fire departments, have agreed to cover Railroad Township on a non-contracted basis.
A group of Railroad Township Volunteer Firefighters has apparently walked off the job. In a letter to Township Trustee Mandy Thomason, the firefighters say they’re “unable to respond to any calls for service,” due to what they say is her unwillingness to provide insurance for each member of the department.
The races are set for May’s primary elections. In Starke County, one hotly-contested office is county clerk. Current auditor Kay Chaffins is challenging incumbent Vicki Cooley for the Democratic party nomination. The winner would presumably face Republican Bernadette Welter-Manuel in November’s general election.
A Railroad Township Trustee candidate is now out of the race, but another name has been added. John Harris is officially off the ballot following a pair of challenges against his campaign, according to Starke County Clerk Vicki Cooley. She says the Starke County Election Board reviewed the challenges Friday and determined that Harris was not an eligible candidate for the May primary.
The Railroad Township Trustee’s race is already generating some controversy. Tomorrow, the Starke County Election Board will consider two challenges against John Harris. He’s running against incumbent Mandy Thomason for the Republican Party nomination in the May primary.
Railroad Township appears to have a new township board member. Roger Chaffins Sr. has been appointed to the position by Starke County Democratic Party Chair Kenny Wallace. Chaffins replaces Board President Gus Eckert, who resigned.
Indiana’s public access counselor has been asked to weigh in on a dispute over public documents in Railroad Township. According to an advisory opinion issued by Public Access Counselor Luke H. Britt, Megan Korous filed a complaint with his office back in June, alleging that Township Trustee Mandy Thomason violated the Access to Public Records Act.
Railroad Township officials will keep the same salaries for another year. A 2018 salary resolution was approved last week by the township board.
Applications for the appointed Railroad Township seat on the North Judson-San Pierre School Board are now being accepted. Prospective candidates must live within the appropriate school corporation boundaries, which include Railroad Township in Starke County and part of Cass Township in Pulaski County. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are being asked to weigh in on an issue affecting the newly established Railroad Township Volunteer Fire Department. Continue reading
