By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Emergency planning is moving to a broader outlook.
Marshall County Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery reported that by June of next year the EMA plans to have in place a District Planning Oversight Committee and a District Planning Council. Emergencies will be responded to by a District task force, made up of elements from all over the district.

Counties in District 2 of which Marshall County is a part are; Elkhart, St. Joseph, Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski and Starke.
Part of the job of the committees will be to decide how grant money is spent in the district and to make up a task force response team to respond to emergencies. The task force would assist incident management teams and would include elements from all over the district such as Marshall County’s mass casualty trailer.
Since the committees also decide how federal grant money will be spent in the district Avery stated that, “It’s very important for whoever is our representative to be actively involved.”
The is also eligible for a grant to purchase amateur radio equipment to act as a back up in case of emergency.
In other commissioner news:
Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck reported that work on the Rightley Ditch project continues. In spite of unforeseen work to place a pipe in the south flowing part of the project currently under construction, Haeck stated the project would likely be finished in a couple of weeks.
The department will begin to “fog seal” streets in the Collins, McQueen’s, Tall Oaks, Oak Crest, and Golf View subdivisions. The process involves a heavy dark oil seal for the streets, similar to the sealant that residents use to seal drive way pavement.
While driving on the seal is not a hindrance to its work, tires can carry the substance leaving black marks. Haeck says that keeping cars off the street for one half hour after its sealing will diminish any problems.
Overflow pipes on Lake Maxinkuckee should be able to last another 10 years according to a report given to Haeck by engineer Mike Strang who also inspects the county bridges. Haeck was asked by the Commissioners to have Strang add the pipes to his bridge inspection list so that the county can keep an eye out for needed repairs.
Jackie Wright, of Older Adult Services, has received two transportation grants. One will purchase a new vehicle and provide money for service – a total of around $38,000. The other will help in promotion of the service, a grant of around $11,000.