Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
When asked what he likes best about his 15 years at the Warsaw Department of Public Works, the answer comes easy to David Taggett.
"I like it all," Taggett said.
Which is a good thing. Because, according to Public Works Superintendent Lacy Francis, Taggett has done it all for the department.
"He's done just about everything there is to do in the department," Francis said. "He started out on the back of a garbage truck, worked as a pipe-layer, and has been a foreman and supervisor of street projects. He's a big asset.
"His knowledge is so diversified, he's definitely going to be a big help, that's why I have him in this position," he said.
Francis said Taggett is a tireless worker and always willing to put in the extra effort to accomplish the task at hand. As an example, Francis pointed to the recent snow emergency.
"Dave was putting in 16 to 18 hours a day," he said. "He'd come in and drive a salt spreader, get back in and get in a plow truck and get back out on the road, then come back in and get back in the spreader."
That type of effort is easy to give, Taggett said. He likes what he does and he likes who he does it with.
"I really like this type of work. That's why I've been here so long," he said. "I really understand these guys because I've worked beside them so long.
"The hardest part about the job is having to get up in the middle of the night," he added.
Taggett, a Warsaw native, said he's looking forward to serving as Francis' chief assistant, where he will use his expertise and experience in overseeing the various projects the department is responsible for and allocating the manpower to see that those projects are completed.
"He'll be involved with everything, from formulating the daily worksheet to actually supervising the work being done," Francis said.
Some of the key projects upcoming for Francis and Taggett include a total rehabilitation of Buffalo Street, from Market to Jefferson Street.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to get started by the end of April or the first of May," Francis said. "We'll do the work one block at a time."
