Porter Town Council Member Micheal Genger, R-4th, led by God and with his family in hand, is leaving for the Republic of South Korea in January to work in the mission fields.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Genger announced his resignation from the Town Council, effective Sept. 30 or at the election of a successor to his 4th District seat by Republican caucus, whichever comes sooner.

Genger spoke—not without a hitch in his throat—of being “at a crossroads in his life,” of the difficulty in making his decision, but of being prompted finally by His still small voice. “We are truly excited by this opportunity. We are following God’s message.”

Genger thanked God for the opportunity to serve on the Town Council, thanked his wife for her patience when he missed meals, thanked his children for their forbearance when he missed story time, and thanked his colleagues for the chance to serve with them.

“The community has been impacted by this administration is a positive way,” Genger said, then took specific note of the Putting Duneland on the Map award with which the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce honored the town earlier this summer.

“We have truly accomplished something,” Genger said.

President Michelle Bolinger expressed her own gratitude to Genger for his work for the town. The Independence Day fireworks extravaganza at Indiana Dunes State Park—now in its second highly successful year—was Genger’s brain child, she observed, and Genger was also instrumental in securing $20 million in funding from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority for the Ind. 49 gateway project, work on which has begun.

Those in attendance gave Genger a standing ovation at the meeting’s conclusion.

Posted 8/25/2010