(La Porte County, IN) - A La Porte County official bid farewell last night after many years of public service.

 

Commissioner Rich Mrozinski cited a host of achievements during his two terms on the county council and later two terms as county commissioner. Among the accomplishments he mentioned was playing a role in starting a program that issues medals to veterans from La Porte County annually, since 2004, and helping with the decision to expand and renovate the courthouse in Michigan City. Mrozinski also mentioned his involvement in things like establishing an ambulance base in Rolling Prairie with help from former La Porte County government attorney Shaw Friedman.

 

“It took a lot of work but it was worth it,” he said.

 

Also ranking high on his list of achievements was helping to bring major rail service to the Kingsbury Industrial Park where a second major railroad is expected to begin serving the park sometime in the near future. Mrozinski said he also played a key role in other matters such as extending sewer service to Rolling Prairie, which made construction of the new library possible in the community.

 

With several members of his family in attendance, he said the extreme political infighting over the past four years made what used to be a fun job no longer enjoyable. He also thanked his wife, Beverly, for being there during the good times and, more recently, the bad times.

 

“She’s been there for all of the other stuff, too, all of the back stabbing and lying.  She’s been my rock to get us through that,” he said.

 

He also said being an elected official was a great experience, which allowed him to meet and work with a lot of good, dedicated people.

 

Mrozinski, a lifelong resident of Rolling Prairie, is a military veteran who saw combat duty in the Vietnam War.  He also represented local veterans in an official capacity that included visits with lawmakers in  Washington D.C. about the needs of retired military servicemen.