VALPARAISO | It looks as though Gus Olympidis will not be leaving the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority Board.

Olympidis, who owns 50 Family Express gas stations in north central and Northwest Indiana, is expected to be reappointed by the Porter County commissioners and council Monday to a second-term on the RDA board, according to county officials.

Among those prepared to make that motion is Porter County Council Member Karen Conover.

"Those would be some pretty big shoes to fill," she said. "He was part of the group that gave birth to the RDA."

Olympidis could not be reached for comment, but it was Conover's understanding he is looking for greater participation and interest in the RDA by county officials. She agrees with that philosophy.

Olympidis had written to council and commissioners July 30 informing them he would not be seeking reappointment to the RDA board.

He said in the letter he believed the RDA would benefit by improving communication with elected officials in Porter County. He called for at least one joint session each year, pointing out the $3.5 million annual investment to the RDA made by county citizens.

Olympidis also said Porter County officials would benefit by regularly attending RDA meetings on a rotating basis and sharing their input with the board.

The reappointment is expected to be taken up during a joint meeting by the council and commissioners at 5 p.m. Monday at the county administration center, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso.