Pictured, from left, are Wes Stouder and Kristi Plikerd

WARSAW — Wes Stouder was duly sworn in at the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Election of officers for the 2017 year was held. A motion was made for current positions to remain as they are – Kristi Plikerd as president, Jo Paczkowski as vice president and Mark Skibowski as treasurer.  All three will continue to hold their current positions during 2017.

Nate Bosch, director of Center for Lakes and Streams, presented two grant requests. Bosch requested a Northern Indiana Lakes Festival grant for $10,000. Motion was made to approve this grant and the motion was approved. Bosch’s second request, a resubmission of a previous request with changes, was a Lake View book grant for $19,583.03. Stouder felt the board could help by contributing some but not the full amount.  After some discussion, a motion was made to give $15,000 and the motion was approved

Ed Roberts, president of P4C Paddle Club, requested a grant for $7,000 to be used for equipment. A motion was made to approve the full amount and the motion was approved.

Alicia Elder, from the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce, made a request for $3,500 to be used toward costs for various events, including the Heirloom Tomato Festival, the Tomato Festival 5K and general advertising. A motion was made to approve this request and the motion was approved.

Jill Boggs, executive director of the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau, gave an update from CVB and submitted a budget breakdown for the board members to look over.

Other news:

• A request made by Megan McClellan, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails committee, for a grant to cover the cost of a timer for the 8th annual 5K race which will be held in July, was approved.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 8.