The Pulaski County Commissioners confirmed the dismissal of county highway superintendent Kenny Becker to open their regular meeting Monday night before an overflow crowd at the courthouse in Winamac.

A week earlier the commissioners held an executive session to discuss Becker's work performance evaluation, and then issued a news release announcing that the recently demoted superintendent had been dismissed. 

Several persons spoke on Becker's behalf at Monday night's meeting, including Tom Murray Sr., John Keller and Jim Gould

Following Becker's firing last week, his attorney, Steven Bush of Valparaiso, filed a notice of tort claim against the Pulaski County commissioners, auditor and county attorney on his client's behalf.

The two-month investigation conducted by the commissioners in response to complaints they report having received on operations at the highway department has now also resulted in the dismissal of maintenance supervisor Morry DeMarco and the resignation of administrative assistant Linn Morrison.

The commissioners have acknowledged previoulsly that their investigation, conducted by an outside human resources firm, revealed no criminal misconduct at the highway department, but did reveal some county policy manual violations.

The commissioners were able to work through their entire agenda at Monday night's meeting, unlike a month ago when they adjourned early because of the agitation of the large crowd in attendance because of the highway department matter.