Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch has replaced former hotel executive Bill Wellman, a longtime South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority board member, with Andy Qunell, treasurer of the Lake County Republican Party.
The move comes on the heels of a several tumultuous meetings where Qunell, formerly Griffith’s appointment to the board and the body’s chairman, said the contract of Speros Batistatos, president and CEO, would not be renewed when it expires Dec. 31.
During that time the board also hired a new attorney, Scott McClure, to replace its longtime attorney Kopka Pinkus and Dolan after the firm unexpectedly resigned. The resignation was disputed by some board members who claimed the firm was asked to resign after a disagreement over the legality of the board’s use of Payroll Protection Plan money to fund a new grant program providing $20,000 to cities and towns in the name of promoting tourism.
Wellman said he was disappointed to not be reappointed. He had submitted a letter to the Crouch indicating his desire to stay on the board but was not sure if it was received prior to a decision being made to seat Qunell.
A fundraising dinner for Crouch has been scheduled July 27 at Bank-quet in Griffith by the Friends of Suzanne Crouch. Crouch cannot seek reelection due to term limits. It is unclear which office she intends to seek.
Wellman said the shifting membership of the board appears to be motivated by the Batistatos contract renewal process and ongoing concerns by some about the CEO’s pay and compensation. Wellman said board members should not fault Batistatos for his current contract. Each time the contract has come up for renewal, a committee has worked to negotiate the deal with Batistatos and then bring the final product before the board.
“Every time it is OK’d, it has been OK’d through committee and everything was OK’d by the board,” Wellman said. Officials have had the chance to vote for or against all contract deals.
“Everybody wants that job. Everybody thinks it is easy to do. It is an organization job, a promotion job. He has done it well,” Wellman said.
Qunell was not available for comment prior to press time.
The shift in membership has created a board that appears hostile to Batistatos.
The 19-member board includes Qunell, who is the lieutenant governor’s appointment. His term expires June 30, 2024. Taryl Bonds, with the Gary Housing Authority, was tapped to replace Jahnae Erpenbach from Spectacle Entertainment as the Gary Common Council appointment. Merrillville Town Manager Patrick Reardon was tapped to replace Bridget Stack as the Merrillville Town Council appointment. Sal Espino, business manager for Plumbers Local 210 replaced Kyle Ropac from Up Your Alley as the Lake County Council Democratic appointment.
Terry Velligan, with United Bridge Partners, replaced Matt Schuffert from the Hard Rock Casino as East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland’s appointment. Schuffert was tapped by Griffith to fill the spot vacated by Qunell. Peter Kilderis, owner of Theo’s Dining Group, replaced Ed Welch from Welch’s Stop and Shop as the town of St. John’s appointment.
The Hammond City Council appointment is Bernard Grisiola. Dyer’s appointment is Brent Brashier from Doc’s Smokehouse. Christine Cash, with Ramada and Dynasty Banquets, is Highland’s appointment. Nikki Lopez, Hobart’s events director, is Mayor Brian Snedacor’s appointment. Doug Spencer is the Lake County Council Republican appointee. Attorney Darnell Lyles is Gary Mayor Jerome Prince’s appointment. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.’s appointment is Tom Dabertin. Chariece White is the city of Crown Point’s appointment.
Pete Schroeder is the Lake County Commissioners’ Republican appointment. Fred Koegal is the commissioners’ Democratic appointment, replacing Chris Rich who was not reseated after registering in the past couple primary elections as a Republican.
Carrie Napoleon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
