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Conover resigns from county drug coalition
Saturday, August 11, 2007 12:42 AM CDT
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BY PHIL WIELAND
pwieland@nwitimes.com 219.548.4352
Saying it is time for reinvigoration, Karen Conover has resigned from the Community Action Drug Coalition, which she helped found 10 years ago.
"What we initially set out to do has been accomplished, although the mission will never be complete," Conover said. "We've opened awareness and been behind the scenes in doing some meaningful work.
"There's always going to be more that needs to be done, but 10 years is a long time and we need an infusion of new ideas and new blood."
Conover, who was on the Porter County Council at the time, served as the coalition's first president.
The group's accomplishments during its first 10 years include the creation of an outpatient treatment program for county jail inmates, the start of a drug court and the campaign to open a Pathways Family Center in the county, she said.
For Conover and her husband Chuck, the Center Township trustee, the coalition meant much more because of their son's battle with drugs.
"It helped us get through the worst time of our life, and we developed some lifetime friendships because of our work with the board," she said. "If they ask me, I will still be involved in fundraising or special projects."
Conover's resignation is the fourth in the last six months and reduces the coalition's board to just 11 members, board President Dr. Mann Spitler said. Paul Ulrich retired from the Drug Enforcement Administration and moved out of the area, and Christine Pouch, formerly with the Boys and Girls Club, also moved away.
Gus Brown, of Chesterton, resigned to spend more time with his family and because he received a promotion at his job at BP's Whiting Refinery. He and Dr. Spitler are on the board for the new Pathway center. Brown's wife, Julie, is still on the coalition's board.
"Karen is to be especially commended because of the longevity of her contributions, and she was one of the first," Spitler said. "I have a lot of respect for her and the energy and commitment she brought to the board.
"Christine and I always looked to her as one of the hardest workers I've ever known. She was always there and more than willing to do the grunt work."
Spitler said the coalition's bylaws allow for board membership to range from 10 to 18. He called the recent resignations part of the normal ebb and flow of any board.
"It's not absolutely necessary at this time to add anyone, but we will be discussing it at future meetings to decide how aggressive we want to be in filling those spots," he said.
Spitler said anyone interested in serving on the board can contact him.
