It was announced during a Kosciusko County Democrat meeting Monday night at the organization’s headquarters that the Winona Avenue location is closing effective Sept. 30. Democrat party members also received a newsletter informing them of the headquarters closing. The Times-Union reported the closure in the newspaper Tuesday after receiving a phone call from Steve Haines, Democrat member, Monday morning informing the newspaper that the headquarters would be closing. Arthur Brown, Democrat party communications and media director, e-mailed the party’s newsletter that discusses the headquarters closure to the Times-Union following the meeting Monday night. John Bonitati, Kosciusko County Democrat chair, was out of town when it was announced by Lee Ann Brown, Democrat vice chair, during the monthly Kosciusko County Democrat meeting Monday night that the headquarters would close. Bonitati said this morning that Haines and Brown did not have the authority to speak on behalf of the party unless approved. Bonitati also said he will work on a press protocol with the Democrat officers for an improved press interaction process. Bonitati sent a press release to the Times-Union this morning that states, “The Kosciusko County Democrats are moving out of their headquarters, located on Winona Avenue in Warsaw effective the end of September.” Bonitati states that a “change in strategic focus to concentrate finances on the 2014 elections for local incumbents and new candidates necessitated the closing. “The county's party office was very important in attracting new members, registering voters and providing information to the public during the recent elections. Therefore, re-establishment of the Democratic Party headquarters will be a priority as we move forward and work to expand our base. “There will be future activates directed toward a permanent headquarters, although the timing for a new office has not yet been established.” Bonitati also apologized to the 35 people that showed up at the Kosciusko County Democratic office Tuesday for the Passenger Rail Service Presentation that was cancelled. Through the local press, the Democrats’ website and social media, announcements were made about the cancellation of the event. He said he truly regretted the inconvenience caused for those that made the effort to attend and were not reached by the communication. The Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association will be making a presentation to the Warsaw City Council Oct. 8. The council meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m. The presentation will include a brief history of the project and discussion regarding feasibility of the project. Funding will also be discussed including a request by NIPRA for local support of a preliminary planning study. The community is invited to attend this presentation. The meeting will be held in the Warsaw City Hall Council Chamber. “I hope that the public and everyone that showed up for the Sept. 10 meeting will attend this very important meeting on Oct. 8 to learn about the many positive economic and environmental benefits of this project for our community,” he concluded.
