Starke Commissioners Finalize Planning Commission Appointment, Discuss Highway Department Operations

A vacancy on the Starke County Planning Commission has been resolved. It was reported to the county commissioners Monday that the county’s township trustees voted four-to-three to have Oregon Township Trustee Mark Allen fill the trustee’s seat. The commissioners affirmed his appointment with a unanimous vote.

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U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 Planning, Trail Funding Included in Governor’s 2021 Agenda

Gov. Holcomb outlines his 2021 Next Level Agenda in a video released last week.

Upgrades to U.S. 30 and U.S. 31 remain on the governor’s radar, as he sets his goals for the coming years. Governor Eric Holcomb presented his 2021 Next Level Agenda last week, and continuing with long-term planning for the two highways made it onto his list of infrastructure goals, “Making progress on an Indy-to-South Bend ‘cruise control’ U.S. 31 and major corridor improvements on U.S. 30.”

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Starke County Council, Commissioners to Meet Tonight

The Starke County Council members will consider the approval of a job description for a shift supervisor for the Starke County EMS Department when they meet tonight. EMS Director Travis Clary requested support from the commissioners for the four paramedics to oversee operations while he is unable to do so. A $.25 or a $.50 increase for those assuming those duties will also be considered. The council will also determine how to fund two cardiac monitors that were deemed an emergency purchase by commissioners earlier this month. The cost is just over $42,000.

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Starke County Council Tables Payment to U.S. 30 Coalition

The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.

Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.

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Starke County Ahead of Others in Collecting Data for Potential U.S. 30 Upgrade

Starke County is ahead of other entities in preparing for the possible upgrade of U.S. 30 to a freeway. That’s what Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners this week in his report of a recent U.S. 30 Coalition meeting in Warsaw.

“We’ve held public meetings, we have a committee in the county and we’ve done most of our traffic study work that needs to be done,” said Ritzler. “We’re way ahead of all of the other counties to do that. That meeting went well.”

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Starke County Economic Development Foundation Hosts U.S. 30 Upgrade Committee Meeting

The Starke County Economic Development Foundation hosted a meeting last night with various members of the Starke County community who would be impacted by the proposed U.S. 30 Freeway Project.

SCEDF Executive Director Charles Weaver began the meeting and introduced representatives from Appian , a consulting firm that is working with the foundation. President of the organization, Dennis Faulkenberg started by saying that though the project is still very far down the line, they wanted to hear some of the ideas that were circulating within the community.

Faulkenberg advised everyone present that it is imperative to collect data and come up with a concrete plan prior to approaching INDOT. He said that’s the best way to avoid being pressured into doing the most cost effective option at the expense of what is best for the community. Continue reading