Lights wil shine on CCC statue
Lighting was approved for the newly erected Civilian Conservation Corps statue at Marion County Park and Lake.
Marion County Commission approved the request Monday made by Helen Beckham. The county will pay the monthly electrical service and the CCC committee will be responsible for the installation and necessary equipment.
County clerk Carol Maggard said she had contacted the county's insurance agent, The Insurance Center of Hillsboro, regarding insurance for the statue. When the information is received, Maggard will report at a future meeting.
Maggard said, on behalf of Beckham, the lighting would be similar to lighting at the lake's flag pole.
Commissioner Howard Collett agreed lighting would be advantageous, not just ascetically but may reduce possibility of vandalism.
Dale Snelling, lake director, said the cost would be minimal (less than $100) for an electrical box, pole, and wiring.
Diedre Serene, county health department administrator, reported the county had received 1,500 doses of flu vaccine. However, doctors' offices and nursing homes in the county have not. She discussed a plan of distributing the doses to residents who meet high risk criteria.
Shots will be available for county employees who meet the high risk criteria.
Serene said she had been told this flu season may be severe. Residents who do not meet the high risk criteria may be placed on a waiting list if vaccine is still available.
The commission approved a five-year plan with Kansas Department of Transportation. The agreement addresses road improvements paid with federal funds.
The county's bridge engineer, Milton Lowmaster of Cook, Flatt, and Strobel, presented a report regarding the condition of county bridges.
The annual inspection and report indicated three deficient bridges, eligible for funding assistance.
Since 1980, 14 new bridges have been replaced with federal funds, Lowmaster said.
Lowmaster said he didn't know of any other county with bridges in as "good of shape" as Marion County.
Commissioner Howard Collett asked Lowmaster if replacing 20-foot bridges with two 10-foot boxed culverts was feasible. Lowmaster replied it was and the county had been doing it.
Collett requested Lowmaster provide a study, prioritizing and sizing the bridges for boxed culverts.
A five-minute executive session to discuss personnel was requested by Collett with Jim Herzet, acting road superintendent, Bill Bowen, acting road foreman, and Maggard.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
