Tyler Brooks, a Milford third-grader, was recognized this morning by the Kosciusko County Commissioners for his essay on county roads. Brooks won the National County Government Week essay contest for the Northeast District of the Association of Indiana Counties in May, which earned him a $100 prize. Brooks was introduced by Kosciusko County Treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell, who is president of the district. Brooks, the son of Clayton and Mindy Brooks, read his essay, “Counties Moving America Forward: The Keys Are Transportation and Infrastructure,” out loud in front of commissioners. His essay reports that 60 of the county’s 1,200 miles of roads should be paved every year to keep up with the 20-year lifespan of a road, but that right now the county can only afford to maintain 10 miles a year. The commissioners then introduced Brooks to County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden and presented him with a book. Also this morning, commissioners approved a road vacation request pending approval by the Area Plan Commission at its meeting Wednesday. Plan Director Dan Richard expressed confidence that the commission would recommend granting the request to vacate part of Frantz Street in the Shady-Crest Addition in Wayne Township, at the request of Nanette Newland.
