Porter County Councilman-elect Robert Poparad has informed County Commission President John Evans that he is resigning his seat on the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority.
Poparad informed the airport authority of his decision at its Monday meeting, saying he wants to devote as much time as possible to the county council job. The Democrat will take up his council seat in January after winning election as an at-large candidate in November.
The largest undertaking at the airport authority during Poparad's time there has been the $166 million expansion of its main runway. Although it was plagued by delays in its early years, Poparad said Tuesday he is confident it can be completed next year as scheduled.
Poparad was appointed to the Gary airport authority in early 2011 as Porter County's representative. He succeeded Evans in the post. He is a Chesterton resident and owner of Pinkerton Oil Co.
The 2005 legislation that created the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority established a single seat for Porter County on the Gary airport authority. The Lake County Commission also appoints one member, as does the governor. The other four are appointed by the mayor of Gary.
The Porter County Commission must now choose Poparad's successor.
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