PRESTONSBURG — Third- and fourth-grade students at Prestonsburg Elementary got a lesson in county government Tuesday, and it came in a package they could take home.
County Judge-Executive R.D. “Doc” Marshall, Kentucky Association of County Deputy Director Brian Roy and illustrator Mark Wayne Adams talked to a packed auditorium of students about the various offices of county government and the roles those officials fill.
Marshall told the students about his role as judge-executive and then fielded questions, which ranged from why he chose to get involved with government to whether he uses a gavel in his job.
To the latter, Marshall said, “I do. Sometimes I have to bang it to get people to be quiet.”
Marshall also talked about the challenges and rewards of being a public official.
“It is time-consuming and, yes, very difficult,” Marshall said. “But it is very enjoyable when I can come out and speak to people like you, who are just starting out in life.”
Each student received a copy of a children’s book explaining the structure and function of county government. Roy said KACo chose to have the book published because students often do not know exactly how government touches their lives.
“It’s good for the kids to know the different levels of county government,” Roy said. “It’s good for them to know the parts of county government they access every day, without even knowing it.”
Following the civics lesson, Adams stole the show, as he explained in animated fashion how he came to be a professional illustrator.












