The Pulaski County Commissioners yesterday approved a scaled-back tourism marketing campaign. CDC Executive Director Nathan P. Origer has clashed with the county executives for several weeks over their reluctance to purchase cable television advertising in the Chicago market. He started his presentation to the commissioners with an apology for storming out of their last meeting. Continue reading
Residents Ask Pulaski County to Pave 700 South
Residents of Pulaski County Road 700 South say they’re tired of living on a gravel road. Continue reading
Lack of Action on Tourism Advertising Frustrates Pulaski County CDC
Tourism advertising has been tabled for a third time by the Pulaski County Commissioners. The issue appeared to be put to rest at their last meeting, when they opted not to act on the Community Development Commission’s proposal to run advertising on Comcast cable systems in the Chicago area. However, the topic was brought back to the commissioners Monday by CDC Executive Director Nathan Origer, only to have it tabled once again. Continue reading
Pulaski Commissioners Shoot Down Advertising Proposal
Chicago-area television viewers will not be learning about Pulaski County’s recreational offerings in advance of the summer vacation season. There’s money in the CDC budget for advertising, but the county commissioners balked at the request to spend it. They previously suggested the county could use the internet for advertising and promotion. Continue reading
Pulaski Commissioners Voice Opposition to TV Ads, Draw Criticism from CDC Executive Director
Pulaski County may not be returning to television to bring in tourists. The county commissioners appear to be ready to deny the Community Development Commission’s request to buy additional TV advertising. Continue reading
Pulaski Commissioners Undecided on TV Tourism Ads
The Pulaski County Commissioners will take a bit more time to decide whether to try more TV advertising. On Tuesday, they tabled a request from the Community Development Commission to spend $22,000 to run tourism ads on Comcast cable systems in the Chicago area. Continue reading
Pulaski Commissioners Reorganize, Reverse Previous Board’s Decisions
Pulaski County’s two new commissioners wasted little time getting to work. Kenny Becker and Jerry Locke took their seats on the board for the first time Tuesday. Continue reading
Pulaski County Officials Thank Constituents, County Employees, Before Leaving Office
Last week’s Pulaski County Commissioners meeting was the final one for several elected officials. The terms of commissioners Terry Young and Larry Brady and Auditor Shelia Garling all expire at the end of the week. Continue reading
Court Filing Seeks Release of Names of Kenny Becker’s Accusers
The legal battle over longtime Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker’s firing continues. He was reappointed by the county commissioners on January 7th, suspended with pay on January 22nd so allegations raised by a current and a former employee could be looked into and reinstated as highway manager on February 4th following an investigation by an outside consultant. Commissioner Larry Brady served as interim superintendent, and Becker was subsequently fired by the commissioners on March 4th. He’s since hired an attorney and filed a $500,000 notice of tort claim against the county commissioners for slander and defamation of character.
Pulaski County attorney Kevin Tankersley reluctantly released a copy of the consultant’s investigation report after being ordered to do so by the state Public Access Counselor’s office but redacted the names of Becker’s accusers. The new filing seeks to force the release of that information, noting “the Commissioners have failed to comply fully with the requirements of the Open Door Law.” It also states the names are necessary for possible legal action by Becker for slander and defamation of character.
Pulaski County Commissioners Name New Highway Superintendent
A veteran Pulaski County Highway Department employee is the new county highway superintendent. Commissioners voted unanimously during last night’s regularly-scheduled meeting to hire Mark Fox. He’s worked the past nine years under Kenny Becker, who was fired by the commissioners last month after his controversial paid suspension in January and subsequent reinstatement as county highway manager under the supervision of commissioner and interim highway superintendent Larry Brady. Fox was one of four applicants interviewed by the commissioners. Before voting to hire him, commissioners also voted to change the work week for county highway employees to Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Brady voted against Commissioner Terry Young’s motion, leaving president Tracey Shorter to cast the tiebreaking vote.
Pulaski County Commissioners Ratify Terminations
Pulaski County Commissioners plan to interview candidates for the vacant highway superintendent and maintenance supervisor positions Friday. They ratified the terminations of highway manager Kenny Becker and maintenance supervisor Morry DeMarco during a tense public meeting last night. Both were fired during an executive session a week ago. That action has raised questions about whether open meetings law violations occurred. Formal complaints filed by outraged citizens are still pending before Indiana Public Access Counselor Joe Hoage. Additionally, Becker has filed a $500,000 notice of tort claim against the commissioners, county attorney and auditor. They were all served copies of the proceeding prior to the start of last night’s meeting and now have 90 days to respond. Stay tuned to WKVI throughout the day for more on this story, and watch for updates on our website at www.wkvi.com.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Ratify Terminations
Pulaski County Commissioners Face Open Meetings Law Violations
Attorney Anticipates Filing Tort Claim Notice Against Pulaski County Officials
Pulaski County Commissioners fire highway superintendent, maintenance supervisor in executive session
Embattled highway superintendent Kenny Becker and longtime maintenance supervisor Morry DeMarco were both fired over violations of the employee policy manual. Becker was suspended with pay last month in response to complaints about how the department is run from sources who have been allowed to remain anonymous. An investigation by the commissioners found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, and Becker was reinstated as county highway manager on Feb. 4 under the supervision of commissioner Larry Brady.
“ Mr. Becker was commended on his role in helping with some of the positive changes at the Highway Department in the last three weeks. Mr. Becker was presented with new policy violations that have been observed by Commissioner Brady since his oversight. The issue of Mr. Becker’s Knowledge of the policy book and his observance of it were discussed. Commissioner Brady as acting department head informed Mr. Becker of his removal as general manager and termination of his employment with the county. This is in no way a negative reflection on Mr. Becker as a good moral person. Mr. Becker has proved to be a hard working individual with a good deal of specialized ability,” the release states.
Calls to the commissioners seeking comment were not immediately returned. They have previously refused to answer any questions and have directed all inquires be made in writing to county attorney Kevin Tankersley.
Becker defends employee time clock actions
Former Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker says the employees who were leaving 15 minutes early each day were still on the clock even though they were no longer on the county’s property. He said they were driving snow plows home due to the threat of inclement weather, and they could not drive county vehicles on their own time due to liability concerns. County commissioners learned of the practice after Becker’s suspension last month and voted Monday to dock each of the employees 15 minutes of time in order to balance the books. Becker was reinstated to full pay eight days after his suspension but is working as “manager” of the department under the supervision of commissioner Larry Brady. Commissioners discussed the matter at length during Tuesday’s heated meeting. Brady said he’s checked with the county’s insurance agent, and the employees are covered even when they are not on the clock. He says the coverage follows the vehicle, and not the employee. Commissioners acknowledged their investigation found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Pulaski County Highway Department Manager Seeks Clarification
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.
Highway department saga dominates Pulaski Commissioners meeting
Information is slowly emerging about the recent suspensions with pay of longtime Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker and office manager Lin Morrison and subsequent investigation by the county commissioners. Both are back to work, although Becker has not been restored to the superintendent’s job. He’s handling the day-to-day duties and reporting to commissioner Larry Brady. Continue reading
Highway department saga dominates Pulaski Commissioners meeting
Information is slowly emerging about the recent suspensions with pay of longtime Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Kenny Becker and office manager Lin Morrison and subsequent investigation by the county commissioners. Both are back to work, although Becker has not been restored to the superintendent’s job. He’s handling the day-to-day duties and reporting to commissioner Larry Brady. The suspensions occurred after commissioners received reports of criminal activity, which county attorney Kevin Tankersley acknowledges were unfounded. Continue reading
Attorney anticipates filing in Pulaski County Highway saga
The attorney for two Pulaski County Highway employees who were suspended last month by the commissioners pending an investigation into unspecified complaints anticipates taking legal action against the county within days.
Former highway superintendent Kenny Becker and administrative assistant Lin Morrison have both retained Valparaiso attorney Steven Bush. He’s preparing a tort claim notice to be filed against the commissioners, county attorney and auditor for defamation of character, among other things. County officials have yet to provide any specifics about the nature of the investigation or give Becker or Morrison a copy of their findings. Bush says their stonewalling is “offensive” to his clients and to the dozens of people who packed the commissioners room and spilled over into the hallway prior to the Feb. 4 commissioners meeting. Visit https://www.contant-law.com/ to get a lawyer.
