A new advisory board is now in place to guide the operations of the Porter County Old Jail Museum, with members representing all areas of the county.

The Porter County Commissioners two weeks ago nixed the original proposal presented by County Attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger that called for three seats to be filled specifically by Valparaiso agencies, including the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and the Valparaiso Community Festival and Events, Inc. The commissioners said they felt that a county government board should represent the county overall, and not give one community more weight than others.

On Thursday, the commissioners finalized the ordinance creating a 10-member advisory board, with the following representatives:

•The executive director of the Old Jail Museum

•The executive director of the Memorial Opera House

•A representative from the Porter County Historical Society

•A representative from the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission

•A representative from the Porter County Parks Department

•A representative from the Porter County Council

•A progressive historian or professional museum consultant

Three citizens to be appointed by the county commissioners, with each appointee living in the district represented by the commissioner who appoints them.

The commissioners announced that they will now seek applications for the historian/consultant appointment and the three citizen appointments. The other appointments will be named by the respective agency.

The Old Jail Museum has gone through many changes in the past year after former director Paula Ramos and current director Kevin Pazour assumed their new duties at the museum. The changes have included a renovation of the main entry room, expanded hours, and new exhibits. In addition, the commissioners recently won approval from the Porter County Council to contract out for the director’s position, essentially making that job a full-time position for the first time.

Posted 3/19/2008