SALEM – The Washington County Commissioners have reversed an earlier controversial decision, awarding a road repaving contract to the low bidder, C&R Construction, after a previous vote had drawn accusations of “gangster government” and potential state intervention.
On May 6, commissioners initially granted a $1.97 million Community Crossings Grant contract to Temple & Temple Excavating and Paving, despite C&R Construction of Corydon submitting a lower bid of $1.89 million. The May 6 meeting drew over 50 Temple & Temple employees, with company president Ken Temple speaking for an extended period and reportedly chiding Commissioner Tony Cardwell, who had advocated for the lower bid. Commissioner Cardwell publicly decried the situation as “gangster government” at the time. The initial vote was 2-1 in favor of Temple & Temple.
However, during a special meeting held on Tuesday, June 10, the commissioners voted to revoke the contract from Temple & Temple and subsequently awarded it to C&R Construction. Commissioner Phillip Marshall, who had previously voted for Temple & Temple, reluctantly sided with Cardwell, stating, “I have to second that” before both votes, and later explained he “had to vote that way not to lose [the grant].”
This reversal comes after the WHAS11 FOCUS team obtained a letter, dated May 27, 2025, from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to Commissioner Marshall. The letter reportedly instructed the commissioners to award the bid to C&R Construction, warning that failure to do so would constitute a violation of the terms of the annual Community Crossings Grant. While INDOT and the county commissioners’ attorney would not officially confirm the letter’s authenticity, all three commissioners acknowledged during Tuesday’s meeting that the state had contacted them regarding the May 6 vote.
Commissioner Todd Ewen, who had strongly supported keeping the contract with Temple & Temple, argued for prioritizing local businesses and raised concerns about the distance for hauling materials if C&R, from Harrison County, was awarded the bid. He also claimed a precedent in Shoals, Indiana, where a high bidder reportedly received a Community Crossings Grant without state intervention.
Following the vote, Washington County Highway Superintendent Rick Voyles thanked the commissioners for complying with state law. Ken Temple was present at Tuesday’s meeting but declined to speak.
