Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
After approximately 6-1/2 years, Tom Sherron has resigned as the Kosciusko Area Bus Service general manager, effective May 18.
Sherron is leaving KABS for employment elsewhere.
At the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Randy Hall, Cardinal Center vice president and Sherron's supervisor, told the commissioners, "We're really sad to see him go."
"I really enjoyed working here and working with this community. This community has been great," Sherron said.
He said he will miss the passengers but is happy Rita Baker will take over his position.
Hall presented Baker as the recommended replacement for Sherron. She was unanimously approved by the commissioners.
Baker has been with the Cardinal Center since 1988 and was the transportation supervisor with KABS since 1996. Hall said they believe Baker is the most qualified candidate of those interviewed and she understands the operations of KABS and the Cardinal Center. A group of bus drivers and mechanics interviewed Baker and they support her as Sherron's replacement, Hall said. Sherron also is supportive of Baker.
"I really hate to see you go," commissioner president Brad Jackson told Sherron.
Hall said Sherron turned the KABS department around and KABS is now one of the Cardinal Center's smoothest-running departments.
"I want to thank my mentor, Tom," said Baker upon being approved as the new general manager for KABS.
In other business:
• The commissioners approved the capital and operational claims and vouchers for KABS.
• Kosciusko Superior Court II Judge James Jarrett asked the commissioners to give their permission for the Kosciusko County Highway Department to provide trucks to help with the community service program again this year. The request was approved.
He also requested that when the older part of the Justice Building is demolished for the expansion, the justice's bench and jury box from Kosciusko Circuit Court III Judge Joe Sutton's court be salvaged. He also wants some of the paneling be saved for possible future use.
• Randy Moore, Arrowhead RC&D, presented the commissioners with the board's annual report.
• Bob Baker, the county's group alternative insurance consultant, presented information on the county's insurance renewal. No action was taken.
• The Lakeland Landfill agreement was approved.
According to commissioners' attorney Mike Miner, with the landfill, the county has possible liability, and the agreement will settle the liability.
The county agreed to provide a place for the landfill to get dirt but won't be responsible for delivering the dirt to the landfill. Any damage done to roads from the trucks hauling dirt will be the responsibility of the county.
The county also will have to provide mowing at the landfill a few times a year.
To replace a wetland, an alternative wetland will be set up. After five years, the county will have to help maintain the wetland.
• Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson reported the Old Order of the German Baptist Church, Packerton Road, will have a conference June 2-6. In case of rain, they will not be able to park in the field and asked for permission to park alongside the road.
Aaron Rovenstine, county sheriff, said it is great for Kosciusko County that the conference is being held here. "We are going to supply them with uniformed officers for traffic control," he said.
The request to park alongside the road in case of rain was approved.
• The employer contribution for the public employer retirement fund was approved by the commissioners at 4.25 percent.
• Continued a request by the North Indiana Conference United Methodist Church to vacate two undeveloped roads and Pell Trail and 10th Street in Epworth Forest, North Webster, until June 5.
Members of the Kosciusko County Commissioners are: president Brad Jackson, vice president Avis Gunter and Ron Truex. They meet at 9 a.m. in the Kosciusko County courthouse, Warsaw, every other Tuesday.
