Porter County's appointee on the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority has told elected officials he won't seek re-appointment and has expressed faith in the South Shore commuter extension.
Gus Olympidis, whose three-year term expires in August, also cautioned that the RDA and member communities must stay vigilant in keeping the RDA politically nonpartisan.
"I believe that moving forward the RDA can benefit by improving its conductivity and communications with the elected officials in Porter County," Olympidis wrote this week in a two-page letter to Porter County commissioners and County Council members.
Olympidis also pointed out that although the Gary/Chicago International Airport has received $20 million in a special state appropriation through the RDA, it has yet to receive any local funding through the RDA.
Olympidis is head of the RDA's airport working group.
The RDA is funded with $14 million per year from Lake County casinos, $3.5 million from Porter County and $10 million per year from the state.
Olympidis' decision not to seek the seat could allow commissioners and council members to appoint someone who is seemingly more in line with their views on the South Shore extension, which a number oppose.
However, when contacted earlier this week, all three commissioners expressed confidence in Olympidis and said they would reappoint him to the board if he sought the post.
"I think he's tried real hard to represent Porter County," said Commissioner Bob Harper. "He's raised some real good questions. He's willing to speak up if he thinks a project doesn't conform to their enabling legislation."
Commissioner Carol Knoblock said Olympidis has been an "honest" broker for the county. Commissioner John Evans said Olympidis has worked "long and hard" for Porter County.
The county commission and council jointly appoint the Porter County representative to the RDA board.
Olympidis wrote that funding for the South Shore extension has to be resolved, but that it will provide multiple benefits for communities if it goes through. Those include job creation, improved air quality, higher property values, and containment of urban sprawl.
Olympidis in his letter also said the RDA board had to make certain the organization's use of consultants doesn't result in it losing control of its policy-setting role and fiduciary responsibility.
He also wants Porter County elected officials to attend RDA meetings and called for a joint session of council members and commissioners along with their RDA appointee.
The Lake County seat on the board also comes up for reappointment this month. Lake County RDA representative Lou Martinez has said he will serve if re-appointed. He seems to have the confidence of council members and commissioners, according to Commissioner Gerry Scheub.
