Pulaski County Highway Department Manager Seeks Clarification

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter

The recent action by Pulaski County commissioners to strip the highway superintendent of his title and make him the manager has raised questions about the chain of command for road repairs. Commissioner Larry Brady is serving as acting superintendent until lingering policy questions are resolved. Meanwhile, Kenny Becker says a couple of roads need to be repaired, including a section of 200 North between 500 and 600 West on his property where a ditch is caving in. Becker told the commissioners if work isn’t done soon, the county may lose the entire road.

“Do I have to come before you anymore and ask about doing any of this stuff like that, or can I go ahead and fix it like it should be, or what, being as I’m not superintendent…” Becker asked.

“Well, you’re still the general manager, so you know how to fix it,” President Tracey Shorter told him.

“Well, yeah, but if I’m not the superintendent that’s not the same thing as a general manager, I’m just supposed to see that the work gets done,” Becker replied.

President of the commissioners Tracey Shorter told Becker to coordinate with Brady and proceed with any repairs he deems necessary. Becker also for and received permission to obtain a price from a Peru-based company to grind old concrete that’s stored behind the county highway garage into gravel to surface a 1.5 mile dirt road on the west side of the county.