Becker resigns top police post
NWI Times
Dec 07, 2011
PORTAGE | What likely would have been a routine City Council meeting Tuesday night gave way to farewells.
In a letter read by Mayor Olga Velazquez, Police Chief Mark Becker announced he would resign his post effective Dec. 17.
Becker told Velazquez in the letter that incoming Mayor James Snyder had informed him Nov. 28 that Becker would not be a candidate for police chief in Snyder's administration.
Becker, a former FBI agent, was out of town Tuesday and did not attend the meeting. Assistant Chief Larry Jolley was appointed interim chief effective Dec. 17.
Tuesday likely was the final council meeting for Velazquez, longtime City Council members Ed Gottschling and Richard Turnak and one-term councilman Steve Sonaty. Gottschling and Turnak were defeated in the May primary, and Sonaty was defeated last month in the general election.
"I want to thank the residents and citizens," Velazquez said. "We accomplished some great things."
Velazquez, who presented plaques to outgoing councilmen and outgoing Clerk-Treasurer Donna Pappas, said the job as mayor has been "extremely rewarding." Velazquez defeated Pappas in the May mayoral primary.
Director of Public Works Craig Hendrix, who will not continue with the Snyder administration, also gave his goodbye.
"I'm really proud of what we've done and what this administration has done," he said.
Velazquez, who choked back tears, said, "I commend you for the dedication to this city. I thank you for the partnership. It has been wonderful."
Turnak, who served 20 years on the council, and Gottschling, who served 16 years, said their tenure and service to residents had been a privilege.
"Mayor Olga has done more for this city than we had done in a long, long time," said Turnak, adding he will be back.
"I may stop by once in a while because I'm a citizen now," he said.
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