CROWN POINT | Retired businessman Bruno Nover will become Center Township assessor Jan. 1 after being elected by a caucus of Republican precinct committeemen Wednesday night to replace longtime Assessor Martha Wheeler.

Nover's selection came despite Wheeler's concerns about his eligibility.

Center Township includes Crown Point south of Summit Street and Cedar Lake east of Cline Avenue.

While speaking in support of Robert Metz, a current employee of the office who ran against Nover, Wheeler told the 14 precinct committeemen she was concerned that Nover did not have the required assessing certification to take the office, while Metz does. She read an e-mail from an employee of the state's Department of Local Government Finance that said without the certification, Nover would not be allowed to take office.

Nover dismissed the concerns, saying he had the paperwork ready to sign up for the certification classes and tests and was allowed some time to get the certification.

"Why should I have taken the test now," he said. "That would be putting the cart before the horse."

The caucus became even more confusing when the party's secretary questioned the eligibility of two of the committeemen to vote. However, county GOP Chairman John Curley allowed both of their votes to count.

After the vote, Wheeler said she was "upset" and worried that with Nover being elected without certification, the office would go to the county's control until his certification.

Wheeler announced to Lake County Republican Party officials in a letter dated Dec. 1 that her last day in office will be Dec. 31. Wheeler has served as assessor since she was elected by a caucus in 1984 to replace Sue Landske, who had become a state senator.

Wheeler was one of a handful of township assessors who retained her office in November when 31 township assessors' duties were abolished by voters in a referendum to consolidate local government by moving tax assessment authority to county assessors.