"When asked what Northwest Indiana supporters of the Kernan-Shepard recommendations can do to promote his plans, Daniels' said, "Make noise, please."
Daniels' push for implementing the recommendations of the Kernan-Shepard commission came just days after Senate legislation to enact the reforms was amended to exclude Lake County from a key provision to replace county commissioners with a single county executive." From the Times
Howard Fink's responsibilities in Merrillville will increase starting Monday, but Fink said he is ready for the opportunity.
Fink, who has served as the town's community development director since 2006, was named town administrator Tuesday.
The Town Council decided to promote Fink about a week after a second town manager candidate declined the job.
Fink said he was honored to accept the position and happy town leaders have "trust and faith" that he can handle the administrative duties.
Town officials said the town administrator position has many of the same responsibilities of a town manager, but not as much authority as a town manager would have.
Some of Fink's new responsibilities include overseeing the town's daily operations, making sure the town is following proper rules and procedures and being a person residents can contact regarding town topics.
"I will work hard to meet the needs of Merrillville citizens," Fink said.
Fink is familiar with working with Merrillville residents. He led several informational meetings regarding stormwater management fees and also fielded several calls when the town decided to reduce to a single waste hauler.
Fink said he will still take care of the community development director responsibilities while working as town administrator. He said it's important to continue economic development work even with a slow economy.
Town Councilman Shawn Pettit, who is chairman of the Personnel Policy and Employee Benefits Committee, said Fink's promotion doesn't come with an increase in pay. Fink's current annual salary is above $50,000.
If Fink proves he can handle his added responsibilities, the Town Council could later offer him the town manager position. Fink said he would be interested in the job if given the opportunity.
"I wouldn't have taken this role if I wasn't interested," Fink said.
Town Councilman Richard Hardaway said he is confident in the decision to promote Fink. He said Fink has been a loyal town employee who will be able to lead the town in the right direction.
PORTER TOWNSHIP | The Porter Township School Corp. board on Monday gave Superintendent Nick Brown approval to seek tax anticipation warrants if necessary to maintain the district's cash flow. (Source: NWI Times)
The borrowing is a normal annual occurrence as school corporations await payment of state and county tax monies.
The state approved the district's 2008 budget last week, Brown told the board, freeing the way for payment of state tuition support funds. But when those funds would arrive was uncertain, Brown said, prompting him to seek borrowing power if necessary.
Brown said he would probably know by midweek how much the district might need to borrow from the Indiana Bond Bank and at what interest rate that would be.
Tax revenue payments from the county were not expected until late in the year, which would also factor into the district's borrowing needs, Brown said. Semiannual county tax payments have been delayed in recent years, prompting many school districts to seek a second round of tax anticipation warrants in a year to pay bills until the funding comes in.
Brown said he didn't feel the nation's financial crisis would affect the district's ability to obtain a loan, but he was unsure whether it would have an effect on interest rates.
