Former Porter County treasurer and council member Mike Bucko recalled as bipartisan mentor
He died Friday, June 27, according to a Facebook post from his family, in which he was remembered for his community commitment and hard work.
'Dad's work ethic was unmatched and his desire to serve his community was admirable. From the Boy Scouts to holding county political offices to the American Heart Association, he enjoyed helping and serving others,' the post stated.
Bucko was first elected treasurer in 2008 and served eight years on the council in an at-large seat and three years representing District 4. He was also on the Porter Township Board, where he served two terms as president and represented Hebron on the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission for two years, according to Post-Tribune archives.
The Democrat retired as treasurer mid-term in July 2014 and told The Post-Tribune then that he had accomplished what he set out to do to bring the treasurer's office into the 21st century with such advancements as online payment abilities, internet access for taxpayers, and improved escrow payments.
Former Porter County Auditor Bob Wichlinski launched the county's Total Quality Management Program with Bucko. He said all the county offices wanted to modernize and he and Bucko had computer backgrounds. Bucko was the former PR/government affairs manager and business office manager for Nitco.
'I was the young whipper snapper, but Mike was the seasoned professional,' he said. 'He was a mentor. He was a friend. He was a colleague and he was a big-time Democrat, by the way.'
Porter County Auditor Karen Martin said Bucko's bipartisan spirit was one of his most prominent traits. She was on the county council with him for four years. 'He was probably the easiest and most honest town council member I've dealt with,' she said. 'It was never about politics. It was always about what was best for the people of Porter County.'
She recalled one budget session when she was president of the County Council and Bucko was vice president and they got the budgets done in 13 ½ hours. Martin and Bucko's time on the council together spanned the cost-cutting years following the closing of Bethlehem Steel.
'He was very honest and entertaining. He was a positive person. He always had a smile,' Martin remembered.
Former County Councilwoman Sylvia Graham agreed. She met him when she was campaigning before the election for her first term on the council in 2008. 'He was like the professor to me, but always smiling. The smiling professor,' she said of his mentorship of her.
Graham said Bucko was always a calm and reassuring voice. 'When you first join, you want to change the world. He was a calming voice,' she said.
When Bucko cared enough about an issue, he would travel down to Indianapolis to try and affect outcomes to help the people, Graham said. She also said he was friendly to everyone, not just those he worked closely with, greeting people in the halls of county government and asking them how they were.
'He really wanted to know. He meant it,' she said. 'It's an honor to even talk about Mike because he was such a great person and so helpful in public service.'
When Porter County Board of Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, came to county government in the early '90s, he worked with Bucko. 'Mike was stoic,' he recalled. 'He didn't excite easily. He didn't rattle easily.'
Biggs said Bucko seemed like a very kind man and was very easy to work with. 'He's going to be missed,' he said.
Bucko was married to the late Carolyn Bucko, who passed away in March. They raised two children together, Steven and Elizabeth, in Hebron and had retired to the Evensville area; according to her obituary, the two met while they were students at Calumet High School.
Alexander Funeral Home West Chapel at 2100 West Illinois St. in Evansville is handling funeral arrangements that will be finalized next week.
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