Pulaski County Commissioners Face Open Meetings Law Violations

The state agency charged with making sure open meetings laws are followed is investigating a citizen complaint regarding recent actions by the Pulaski County Commissioners. Questions were first raised regarding their compliance with the law when no vote was taken to suspend then-county highway superintendent Kenny Becker and administrator Lin Morrison were suspended with pay. Becker was reinstated as county highway manager during the next commissioners meeting, at which time Commissioner Larry Brady was named interim superintendent. Becker was fired Monday during an executive session meeting for unspecified employee policy handbook violations. Dale Brewer with the Office of the Indiana Public Access Counselor says that action needs to be taken in a public meeting

An executive session is so they can have a closed door so they can discuss things in private that need to be discussed,” Brewer said. “It’s not for final action. Final action needs to be taken in a public forum.”

An opinion from the Public Access Counselor is only advisory and does not carry the weight of law. County attorney Kevin Tankersley says Becker was fired by Brady acting as his supervisor. He adds the commissioners will vote Monday to uphold that termination, as well as that of maintenance supervisor Morry DeMarco, who was also let go Monday night. Brady’s dual roles have also raised questions. Dale Simmons with the Indiana State Election Commission says state law prohibits elected officials from holding offices within the government entity they are elected to represent, regardless of whether they are compensated.