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Doris Portolese Brings Results-Focused Leadership to Penn Township
- Logan Foster
- May 10
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Doris Portolese Brings Results-Focused Leadership to Penn Township
Date: 05/09/25
Author: Logan Foster
Doris Portolese, a Republican and Penn Township Trustee since 2015, has consistently leveraged her leadership to deliver measurable results. This marks the third profile in our series on Republican township trustees, highlighting their impact and vision for their communities.
Portolese is highly regarded by her peers as "results-driven and fiscally responsible," qualities that have led to notable accomplishments throughout Penn Township. Her leadership demonstrates a steadfast dedication to advancing community infrastructure and improving the quality of life for its residents.
Fiscal Responsibility
One of Portolese's key accomplishments is her ability to reduce funds within the township's budget six times during her time in office. By outsourcing payroll services, she has achieved savings of approximately $30,000 annually. “If there’s someone out there doing it faster, better, and more economically, why wouldn’t we consider it?” said Portolese.
Her approach to financial stewardship extends to recovering misappropriated funds. Portolese recovered nearly $50,000 from a prior administration shortly after taking office. "I reached out to my attorney and asked her... can I file a claim against his bond so that the township can be made whole," she recalled.
Community Infrastructure
Portolese’s ability to negotiate and plan has led to visible transformations in the township's physical landscape. Under her leadership, Penn Township constructed a $4.1 million fire station, strategically located near Penn High School to reduce emergency response times.
The station houses a Safe Haven Baby Box, providing a safe and anonymous option for women in crisis to surrender their newborns. Dedicated in memory of U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski, the Baby Box reinforces Portolese’s commitment to fiscal efficiency and profound care for the community. “The Baby Box cost roughly $12,000, but we secured $10,000 through a grant,” she shared.
Further cementing her commitment to emergency services, Portolese described her role in saving thousands when purchasing a new ambulance for $465,000. She avoided paying an additional $25,000 fee tied to impending regulatory changes by negotiating a plan to buy the chassis ahead of production.
Supporting Those In Need
Portolese’s efforts to improve the daily lives of her most vulnerable constituents shine through the township’s partnership with the Mishawaka Food Pantry. This initiative provides residents access to fresh produce, hot meals, and daily showers. The food pantry operates like a small grocery store, where residents select items they need in a dignified shopping experience. "We didn’t want to hand out boxes filled with things people wouldn’t use,” Portolese noted.
The pantry also offers hot meals through a partnership with Cultivate, a local nonprofit that uses surplus food from significant events to assemble wholesome, flash-frozen dinners. “Imagine food leftover from area events now feeding families in need,” Portolese said.
Adding to these efforts, the City of Mishawaka and Portolese championed the creation of community gardens. Initially, a contaminated lot, the site was remediated and now provides fresh vegetables for pantry clients and township residents. The property was recently deeded to the township for just one dollar.
Bridging Partnerships for Long-Term Solutions
Another success story involves Portolese’s negotiation with the Penn-Harris-Madison School (PHM) Corporation to secure over three acres of land for just one dollar per month, allowing Township Fire Station #13 to expand and support its mission. This agreement saved the township and the fire department approximately $300,000 (based on other land acquisitions). Looking back, Doris shares: "Every June, I send (PHM) $12, and I make sure I write Dr. Thacker (PHM Superintendent) a nice little thank you note, and we try to keep him posted on what we're doing."
Looking Ahead
Portolese, now serving her third term, has no plans of slowing down. With her unique combination of fiscal conservatism and community focus, Doris Portolese continues to lead with purpose, delivering real results for the people of Penn Township.
For more information about Penn Township assistance and programs, residents can reach Doris Portolese at the Penn Township Website.