Published: June 24, 2009 10:56 pm      

Scagnoli ready to be moving on

Veteran zoning administrator looks forward to retirement

After 20 years of making sure area properties comply with zoning ordinances, Gary Scagnoli decided it was time to move on to new things.

On the top of his list is enjoying his retirement.

Scagnoli, whose last day is Friday, has served as the zoning administrator for Logansport, Cass County, and Walton, but said he didn’t originally have intentions of staying at the job for so long.

When he was hired on June 7, 1989, Scagnoli was simply looking for something to do after selling the Stanley Steamer business he operated.

At the time, John Davis served as mayor of Logansport. When interviewing for the job, Scagnoli spoke with Sadie Kragh, Eileen Slifer and Bill Champion, who ended up hiring him.

“It’s a thankless job,” Scagnoli said. “Mayor Davis asked me why I wanted to take this job. I said, ‘I had nothing else to do.’ So Bill said, ‘Why don’t take it until you find something else.’ That’s how I got into it.”

Scagnoli had no prior experience, but graduated from Ball State with a degree in general business. During his 20 years of serving the community, Scagnoli had a lot of things to learn and remember.

Since the ordinances weren’t established until 1986, many of the items were not very old. Scagnoli, who served as the second zoning administrator, took over for Bill Moore. After just three days of training, he set out on his own.

“Everything I know, I learned the hard way,” he said.

Working with his co-workers has made the job more bearable, Scagnoli said. Some days are better than others.

“I’m not in the business of making people happy,” Scagnoli said. “You never know who will walk through that door or call on the phone. ... I really have to do a lot of homework when someone walks through the door.”

As zoning administrator, Scagnoli’s duties included checking permits for the entire county and making sure people have the required permits. He is also required to know and understand all the ordinances for his three coverage areas, although he keeps three large bound books in his desk for reference.

“There’s still things I don’t know,” Scagnoli said. “Some of the sections, I don’t have to deal with very often. Some things I thought I knew, I still check in the book.”

He’s also had to send letters out to people informing them what they could and could not do with the property.

“Through the years, I’ve made a lot of people angry,” Scagnoli said. “Most of them came back and said they were glad they talked to me.”

Scagnoli explained he has tried to help people over the years so they don’t run into problems down the road. For example, he said, if a person built a structure too close to a property line and eventually tried to sell the house, they will run into complications when trying to sell.

“I generally tend to help people, but it does dash a lot of dreams,” Scagnoli admitted. “Especially if someone tries to open a business in a garage and I have to tell them no.”

Over the years, Scagnoli said he’s had to even stop some people who went ahead and started doing something they shouldn’t have.

Over the years, Scagnoli has even been chased off people’s property. He feels his personality has assisted him on the job.

“I’m pretty laid back, when it gets down to it,” he said. “I think that helps out a lot.”

In addition to zoning administrator, Scagnoli has served as the flood plain administrator. The job required him to make sure people didn’t make unwise choices and build in a flood plain.

The job was demanding at times and also required Scagnoli to attend several meetings after hours. Some of the meetings he has had to attend include the planning commissions and boards of zoning appeals for Cass County, Walton and Logansport.

The most enjoyable part of the job for Scagnoli has been helping young couples. He has enjoyed when people come to him and ask what they can do and what they need to do.

“A lot of people don’t realize all the rules and ordinances,” Scagnoli added.

He’s always enjoyed working with some of the people from out of town who have come to Logansport to build a new business.

Scagnoli will be replaced by Ryan Shafer, who recently finished schooling in Greenwood.

“It was my recommendation they find someone with schooling and experience,” Scagnoli said.

Scagnoli said one of the biggest motivations to retire was celebrating his 62nd birthday.

“My father passed away at 70,” Scagnoli explained. “I’m 62 now. I want to try and enjoy some of it.”

The zoning administrator admitted he will miss the job and his fellow employees.

“We are like family,” he said.

What’s next for Scagnoli?

Although he plan’s to sit back for awhile and relax, he doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.

“I’ll find a part-time job somewhere,” he smiled. “I’m not one to sit around.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com