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http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/inbusiness/f..._medium=twitter

Former Michigan City mayor wins planning award

By Keith Benman keith.benman@nwi.com, (219) 933-3326 | Posted: Sunday, April 22, 2012 6:45 pm

The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission has honored former Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie with its Norman E. Tufford Award for outstanding service to NIRPC and the region.

"It is appropriate that we honor Chuck Oberlie as our first commissioner to receive the award," said NIRPC Chairman Geof Benson at last week's meeting. "He recognizes the value NIRPC brings to his municipality and the region, and he has made a substantial commitment of his time and leadership skills to the accomplishment of our mission."

The Tufford Award was established last year to recognize commissioners and staff of the agency who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to NIRPC and the region.

Tufford was the founding executive director of NIRPC, who served from 1966 until his retirement in 1985. He established the commission's planning program, as well as overseeing the formation of the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, the Kankakee River Development Commission, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and the Lake Michigan Marina Development Commission.

"Norm Tufford was widely recognized for his strong leadership and partnership-building skills and his commitment to improving the quality of life in Northwest Indiana," said John Swanson, NIRPC's current executive director.

The first Tufford Award was bestowed posthumously on Norman E. Tufford at NIRPC's January meeting and was accepted by his son, Jim Tufford.

In presenting the award to Oberlie, Benson cited the former mayor's outstanding record of service to the agency during his eight-year term as a NIRPC commissioner.

In addition to serving as the commission's chairman, Oberlie went on to serve as the chair of the Environmental Management Policy Committee and the 2040 Comprehensive Regional Plan Steering Committee. Oberlie continues to serve on the Pathway to 2040 Implementation Committee.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/inbusiness/f...l#ixzz1ssZx5lZz