Tourism appointee back after becoming Indiana resident

VALPARAISO | Richard Riley resigned from the Porter County tourism board Tuesday only to be reappointed seconds later.

Riley submitted his resignation after The Times discovered the Porter County Board of Commissioners had appointed him earlier this year to the Indiana Dunes Tourism Board of Directors.

At the time, he was registered to vote in Illinois and had a diver's license from that state as well. Members of the nine-member tourism board are required, by state law, to reside in Porter County.

The commissioners accepted Riley's resignation Tuesday and then immediately reappointed him, announcing Riley had changed his residency.

"I think you'll find him to be a valuable member," said Porter County Commissioner President John Evans, R-North.

County attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger said Riley changed his mailing address, drivers license and voter registration to Porter County, and planned to change his vehicle registration as well.

Riley told The Times earlier this month he has a home in Orland Park but said he spends more of his time these days at a home that is part of his Riley's Railhouse bed and breakfast in Chesterton.