Staff writer
Marion County Road and Bridge Department experienced a shake-up at the top Monday. The county commission hired a new road and bridge superintendent minutes after the interim superintendent resigned.
The commission met in closed session for 60 minutes to review applicants for the position. They then met in closed session with interim superintendent John Summerville for 10 minutes. Upon return to open session, Summerville announced his immediate resignation from all duties, which the commission accepted.
The commission then met in closed session for another 20 minutes alone, then for 20 minutes with interim road and bridge foreman Bud Druse. When the commission meeting opened to the public again, the commission announced the hiring of Randy Crawford of Hillsboro as superintendent, effective Sept. 6. Druse will be the interim superintendent until then.
In other business:
- County Attorney Susan Robson met with the commission in closed session for 20 minutes to discuss personnel matters, with no action taken upon return to open session.
- Gillett Construction of Marion will build a permanent awning on the Marion County Health Department building for $3,675. Wiebe Siding of Hillsboro bid $5,325.
- The county doesn’t have to fill a vacancy on the regional community corrections board left by Bob Maxwell’s resignation, because Rose Vinduska also serves on the board, County Clerk Carol Maggard said. However, Maxwell and Vinduska both suggest filling the vacancy to prevent the board from becoming all about Geary County, commissioner Dan Holub said.
- The commissioners retroactively approved a fireworks display by the Maloney family of rural Florence. They had fireworks to celebrate the return of a family member from Iraq, but they forgot to seek county permission before the homecoming. Maggard said they spoke with each of the commissioners individually before the event. The commissioners were OK with it, as long as they kept safety in mind and informed their neighbors.
- Maggard met with the commission in closed session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.
- Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman said she received a lot of positive feedback about a tourism presentation by Richard Smalley. She is working with organizers on an Art and Music Stroll in Marion and harvest festival in Goessel.
The next scheduled commission meeting is this morning.