Family, friends and city and county officials gathered at the former Town Creek Bridge Friday in Benton, to dedicate to former elected official W.J. “Toad” Brien Jr.
Brien was Marshall County’s longest serving elected official having served as County Clerk from 1953-69, Circuit Court Clerk from 1969-94, and Benton city councilman in 1997. During his career, Brien served as president of both the Kentucky County Clerk’s Association and the Kentucky Circuit Clerk’s Association. Brien died in 1997.
Benton City Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution to rename the bridge in his honor at its regular meeting in April and the measure was approved by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.