By PAULENE POPARAD

The Porter Park Board voted 4-0 Tuesday to allow Duneland seniors to continue meeting at the Hawthorne Park community building, but now from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.

The approval is contingent on the town attorney allowing the town’s liability coverage to extend to the senior program or alternate coverage being provided.

“I’m glad it’s going to continue. We’re all thrilled,” said Park Board member Patty Raffin.

The Porter County Council on Aging and Community Services previously operated the Porter senior center for many years with expanded hours and meals but discontinued its services there recently. Tuesday, Pat Bilderback offered, with the help of others, to attempt to develop activities for seniors in the Porter/Chesterton area to maintain their opportunity to socialize and interact with their peers.

Card games, bingo, bunco and other entertainment would be offered. According to Bilderback, “There is abundant evidence that competence in interpersonal skills is vital to the psychological, emotional and physical health of seniors.”

Marion McDougall, a former director of the Council on Aging, urged the Park Board to agree to the proposal. “We really beg you to let us continue.”

Marguerite Domsic thanked board members for use of the community building and made a $100 donation to the Park Department from the Duneland Activity Center seniors.

Town Council president Bill Sexton and member Michele Bollinger, liaison to the park, said they have no problem with the seniors’ request; Bollinger said she would consult the town attorney about the insurance.

In a related matter, because the seniors no longer will be using the community building on Monday and Friday, park administrator Stephanie Miller was given authorization to rent the facility during those days. The Park Board said if the seniors want to add two days again they would have priority, but for a trial six-month period two rentals in the same 24-hour period will be allowed those days as long as the renters coordinate their occupancy closely with Miller.

Miller said she has had requests to rent the community building during the day for luncheons, meetings and seminars. Board members said they want to maximize rental income when possible.

In other business, no one spoke during the public’s opportunity to comment on a planned revision of the Park Department’s five-year master plan. Twenty-seven surveys have been returned by residents and board member Becky Maranto offered to compile the results to be discussed at a future meeting.

2009 festival planned

Members of the Porter Sesquicentennial Committee were present to thank the Park Board for hosting the town’s recent 150th birthday celebration in Hawthorne Park. Committee chair Brenda Brueckheimer said a 2009 community festival is planned for July 2, 3 and 4 at Hawthorne including this year’s popular parade.

Brueckheimer said there were 57 parade units and next year’s goal is 75. Lessons learned from the sesquicentennial will be used to make next year’s event even better. “Our goal will be the same: we want to make as much as possible free so families have some place to go that doesn’t gouge them.”

Among other items, over 800 free glow sticks were given out to children. Park Board member Rondi Wightman said parents were pleased and surprised so many free favors were available.

Committee members said they don’t want a carnival atmosphere with rides, instead favoring local vendors and entertainment in hopes of appealing to a wide range of ages. Brueckheimer said bingo was especially requested. Raffin, who sang the National Anthem for the sesquicentennial, said Porter residents have a wealth of talents and urged them to participate in 2009.

Citing recent Voice of the People letters in the Chesterton Tribune criticizing the town of Chesterton for its lack of July 4 activities, Park Board president Zathoe Sexton said, “It was not our intent to put Chesterton to shame. It was our intent to celebrate our birthday.”

Maranto said she’s lived in Porter 10 years and it made her very proud to see the town showcased. “It’s time to step up even more. Chesterton has quieted down its family functions. It’s our time to shine.”

Z. Sexton thanked Miller and Porter park superintendent Jim Miller for their contributions to the sesquicentennial. She also thanked the Friends of Porter, co-sponsors of the celebration. “Kudos for pulling it off.”

Friends’ member Rita Newman in turn thanked Bill and Zathoe Sexton for organizing a golf outing that kicked off the sesquicentennial’s fundraising. Newman said next year the festival committee needs about 50 additional people to volunteer to work. “Hopefully the momentum will be there.”

Surprise resignation

At the meeting’s conclusion Z. Sexton announced she is submitting her resignation, effective July 31, from the board. “I just have way too much on my plate and can’t balance everything,” she explained. While her board service has been a pleasure, she said it’s taking its toll and she has to resign.

Sexton is a four-year board member. The others were quick to thank her and say she will be missed. Wightman said she appreciated Sexton’s leadership and serving as a role model.

Her resignation goes to the Town Council, which would name a replacement.

In other business, the Park Board voted 4-0 to approve an Aug. 2 wine-tasting at Hawthorne Park in conjunction with the Chesterton Art Fair there. Judy Gregurich of the Chesterton Art Center said Butler Winery has the appropriate state permits for a tasting and to sell bottled wine. The park’s approval was contingent on verification of the permits.

Bill Sexton reminded that Porter has an ordinance banning open alcoholic containers and urged those buying wine not to open it at the park or in their vehicles.

By unanimous vote the Park Board approved a draft 2009 park budget of $159,061 including 3 percent pay raises for employees but no hike in the individual $800 per-person board compensation. The budget is $8,093 more than this year’s still-unapproved budget but the Park Department has to cut $4,000 from it because of an overpayment by Porter County which had to be reimbursed.

Due to cash flow, the Park Department was asked to make only necessary purchases.

Posted 7/16/2008