Tom DeCola’s 2019 removal from the Starke County Council has been upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals. He was elected in November of 2018 and voted off by council members the following February.
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The Starke County Commissioners received information on a request to vacate property submitted by Tom DeCola of Argento, LLC Monday night.
Continue readingThe Starke County Commissioners did not act on a request to vacate property submitted by Tom DeCola of Argento, LLC as a procedure needs to be completed before the commissioners will take action on it.
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The owner of three undeveloped parcels in North Judson will have more control over the land, following action by the town council last week. The three parcels off of Simmons Street owned by Tom DeCola were separated by what were technically alleys, even though the entire site was undeveloped, according to Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe.
Continue readingThe North Judson Town Council will take comments on an alley vacation request tonight. Tom DeCola owns three parcels of land off of Simmons Street, but they’re separated by what are technically alleys. During the previous council meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe said DeCola’s request only appears to apply to the alleys between those parcels, not to those bordering any other properties.
Continue readingSeveral lots in San Pierre will not be vacated following a decision by the Starke County Commissioners Monday morning.
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The Starke County Election Board members heard a challenge Wednesday morning from Tom DeCola about the candidacy of Lauri Anne Manns Venckus as a Republican candidate for Starke County Treasurer on the May Primary ballot.
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The Starke County Election Board heard evidence from witnesses Wednesday morning challenging the address of residency of Tom DeCola as it appears on his candidacy paperwork as a Republican candidate for Starke County Treasurer.
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The lawsuit filed by Tom DeCola against the Starke County Council continues to move through the legal system.
Continue readingTom DeCola filed papers in the Starke County Clerk’s Office on April 2 formally suing the Starke County Council.
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The Starke County Republican Party has chosen a new District 4 Starke County Council member.
Continue readingThe Starke County Council members took action Monday night to reaffirm the expulsion of Tom DeCola who formerly held the District 4 seat on the Starke County Council
Continue readingThe Starke County Council members recently received a Notice of Claim from Tom DeCola who was expelled from his seat on the Starke County Council on Feb. 18.
DeCola claims that he was not given the full 30 days to respond to allegations of disorderly conduct and public intoxication during a “social event hosted by the Indiana Association of Counties” in Indianapolis. He stated that the deadline was technically Feb. 21 and he was asked to provide an explanation during the council’s meeting on Feb. 18. During that meeting DeCola had this comment, “After reviewing the paperwork that was handed to me, I read it and decided that it was my in persona civil cause of action and that it wasn’t an authoritative official cause of action. So, I decided it’s not even worthy to respond to it.”
DeCola also claims the Starke County Council wrongfully expelled him for allegations that were outside his term. He took office on Jan. 1, 2019 and the allegations occurred on Dec. 12, 2018. He said he wasn’t acting under any type of official duty and has not been criminally charged. He also claims the witnesses who gave statements were unreliable.
DeCola’s oath of office was filed on Dec. 7. Witnesses at the conference in Indianapolis stated he introduced himself as a Starke County Councilman.
Starke County Attorney Marty Lucas said the claim is currently under review.
In a press release, Starke County Council President Dave Pearman said the fiscal body may, by state statute, “(1) expel any member for violation of an official duty; (2) declare the seat of any member vacant if the member is unable or fails to perform the duties of the member’s office; and (3) adopt its own rules to govern proceedings under this section, but a two-thirds ( 2/3 ) vote is required to expel a member or vacate a member’s seat.”
Pearman stated that DeCola’s Notice of Claim will be discussed during the council’s next meeting on Monday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. CT in the meeting room in the Starke County Annex Building No. 1 at 53 E. Mound Street in Knox.
After deciding not to respond to allegations against him in an incident in Indianapolis, the Starke County Council voted by a majority to expel Tom DeCola from his seat on the council.
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