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Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert recognized two officers during Tuesday’s county commissioners meeting for their life-saving efforts in the county jail.
Goshert presented officer Daisha Dove and Cpl. Kyle Cooper with plaques for their effort in saving an inmate who attempted suicide by hanging. Goshert didn’t give any specific details about the incident, but had high praise for those who work at the jail.
“They’re on the front line every day. They are making sure the inmates are safe and that their medical needs are being met,” Goshert said. “They deal with 300 inmates every day and there are only six or seven of them per shift. They are the ones who are forgotten and are probably the most important ones – they’re taking care of our inmates. It’s a huge job that they undertake.
“Because of their heroic efforts, they saved a life.”
In other business, the commissioners approved a bid from D&D Electric of Etna Green for preventative maintenance at the justice building and courthouse. The company will, among other things, use thermal imaging to check for loose connections as well as look at transformers and electrical panels. The bid was presented by Marsha McSherry, county administrator, and the cost is not to exceed $2,500.
Commissioners also approved an addition to the county’s off-road vehicle ordinance. Chad Miner, county attorney, said the move to cap the number of passengers in such vehicles to manufacturers’ suggested limits will put the county in line with most counties in the state.
Two people addressed the commissioners to oppose the sewer district being formed to serve Tippecanoe and Chapman lakes.
Kevin Edmonds, who lives north of Chapman Lake on East CR 450N, asked commissioners to recall similar sewer system installation efforts from nine years ago. He referred to Ken Jones, of the engineering firm of Jones, Petry Rafinski, as “a sewer salesman.”
“From what I understand, the culprit is Mr. Jones, an outsider representing a company wanting to sell a sewer system. It’s disturbing when he makes the claim that the majority of the people are for it. I attended the first meeting and only two people said they were for it,” Edmonds said.
“The sewer salesman said he is shooting for a fee of $70 per month, but our life experience tells us a salesman will always lowball the cost if he’s not going to be held to it,” Edmonds stated. “What if families can’t afford the hook-up fees and the monthly fees? Do you really want this to be your legacy as commissioners – putting many, maybe hundreds, of families out of their houses?”
He said commissioners should explore its options “before allowing a sewer salesman to try to ramrod the system down our throats to line his pockets with our money.”
Miner made Jones’ job clear, and said “part of the purpose of his study is to see what the best options are. I just want to clarify that.”
Jennifer Kiser said she owns a home in Hawthorn Estates, and most of the homes there are less than 10 years old. Most of the residents there have no need for a sewer system.
Commissioners Bob Conley and Brad Jackson thanked the two for taking the time to comment on the record. Commissioner Cary Groninger was not present at the meeting.
Goshert told the commissioners the sheriff’s department traded in a pair of vehicles well past their prime.
The commissioners also approved their 2019 meeting and holiday calendar.
The next county commission meeting is 9 a.m. July 10.
