By KEVIN NEVERS

The Town of Chesterton’s loss could also be its gain.

That’s the opinion of Chesterton Town Council President Jim Ton, R-1st, on hearing the news of Town Economic Development Coordinator Dwayne Williams’ resignation, effective on Friday.

Williams announced his resignation at Monday’s meeting of the council, and Ton promptly took the opportunity to suggest reserving Williams’ salary—around $40,000 per year—and begin the process of hiring a town manager.

Ton noted that Williams’ salary would probably not alone be enough to compensate a qualified candidate and that “a little bit” would need to be added to it, but that the “hang-up” in the matter of a town manager has always been the manager.

In fact there were always two “hang-ups.” The money was one. The other was the fact that the issue of town manager emerged in the last year and a half of the previous council’s term and members at the time supposed that no candidate for the position would accept a job offer knowing that the composition of the council would likely change—and therefore possibly his or her employment status—in the municipal election in November 2007.

“We need a point person for the town,” Ton said. “We need to generate economic activity and get investment in Chesterton. It’s time to start looking around and put it out on the Web. . . . Now is the time to fish or cut bait.”

Member Jeff Trout, R-2nd—who last year campaigned for his seat on the council partially on the need to hire a town manager—agreed with Ton. “I would concur whole-heartedly,” he said. “Whatever it takes to move this along.”

Member Sharon Darnell, D-2nd, however, attempted to pump the brakes somewhat. The council can’t hire anyone, she noted, until it determines an appropriate salary.

For her part Clerk-Treasurer Gayle Polakowski reminded members that they need to craft something on the order of a “concise” job description.

Time, in other words, for a special workshop. By consensus members agreed to hold one at 5 p.m. April 28, four days after the economic students at Chesterton High School are scheduled to present their findings on the feasibility and desirability of hiring a town manager, their special project this year.

Members did bid Williams well. “Thank you for your time and effort,” Ton told him. “May the future bring you only the best.”

“I hate to see you go,” Trout added, “but I’m sure you’re going to do well.”

“I really enjoyed the town allowing me to be a public servant for the last four and a half years,” Williams said. “I will always speak of Chesterton very highly.”

Williams said before the meeting that he has accepted a position with the City of East Chicago.

Posted 4/15/2008