Commissioners Honor Eagle Scouts And Good Samaritan
Posted
Amanda Bridgman-
Recognition of community members was the theme of Tuesday’s Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting.
Not only was a veteran of the month honored, but so were two local youth who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and a man who rendered lifesaving aid to another.
Megan Harris and Charles Sexton were presented with an Eagle Scout recognition plaque from the commissioners Tuesday. Commissioners President Bob Conley applauded the children and acknowledged their hard work and effort they put in, saying they’re an asset to the community. Conley also acknowledged their parents and adults who helped them reach the Eagle Scout goal.
Also recognized by the commissioners was Cory Black, who they declared an “outstanding American and citizen of Kosciusko County.”
Conley introduced Black and Joshua Parker.
“The next recognition is one that happened in a split second with no notice at all and it was life-saving and life-threatening at the same time,” Conley said, then recounted a crash that happened in Leesburg on June 18, 2020.
Conley said Parker was driving a motorcycle on Ind. 15 in Leesburg when a vehicle crossed his path, sending Parker over the dashboard of the motorcycle. Parker broke several limbs and ruptured multiple arteries, Conley said.
Black, who had been trained through his military service, happened to be in the area and immediately went to Parker’s aid.
“Cory’s quick thinking, he applied a tourniquet and stopped the bleeding and saved his life,” Conley said.
Black said he was happy he could help and put his training to use, and an emotional Parker thanked Black for saving his life.
Also recognized Tuesday was the work of the Kosciusko County Health and Wellness Program, which recently was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award. Those on the committee are Commissioner Cary Groninger, County Administrator Marsha McSherry, Amy Irwin, Anita Alcorn, Darron Longenecker, Deb Winger, Jackie Franks, Jeanne DeWilde and Mike Kissinger.
The program began in January 2019 and consists of workshops and classes to educate county employees and their families about stree management, brain and social connections and healthy eating.
The county also awarded incentives for participation, and over the first six months of the program, 75% of employees were participating.
After all of the awards Tuesday, commissioners got down to usual business and approved the following:
• County Computer System Administrator Bob Momeyer’s request to commit to a three-year contract with Google Business Plus for the county’s email service through Daston Corp. for $30,240.
• County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock’s request to apply for a $16,000 state grant for a cybersecurity subscription service for up to three years.
• McSherry’s request to hire Precision Concrete Cutting to fix uneven sidewalks and other concrete on county property that poses tripping hazards at a cost of $6,931.13.
• County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty’s recommendation to accept a paving bid from Phend & Brown for $785,234.70 to pave five miles of roadway as part of a Community Crossings Grant project.
• Area Plan Director Dan Richard’s request to rezone 1.27 acres of Robert and Phyllis Swanson’s property at 6008 W. Old 30, Warsaw, from agriculture to agriculture II.
The next Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting is 9 a.m. March 30 at the courthouse.
