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MONDAY MARCH 28 MITCHELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

 

Mitchell County Commissioners

Monday, March 28
by Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their regular business meeting at the County Courthouse on Monday morning March 28. All Commissioners as well as the County Clerk were present for the meeting.

After the meeting was called to order, a discussion of the grass fires in Barber County was conducted. Larry Heidrick, Fire Chief for one of the Rural Fire Districts, took a crew of 6 men to help contain the fire. They left Thursday afternoon with one of the Rapid Response fire trucks and returned late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Also on site in Barber County was Rick Horn, Mitchell County Emergency Management Director. Heidrick will attend next Monday’s meeting to tell the Commissioners about his experience fighting one of the largest grass fires in recent Kansas history.

The fire was so intense that it melted the paint off road signs which made it difficult to direct emergency workers unfamiliar with the area. Eventually some of the local crew members accompanied the visiting fire crews and this helped with communication and direction.

Larry Emerson, Public Works Superintendent, presented bids for road oil for the Commissioners approval. The road crews use three different types of oil for road work. The bids this year are all under $1.90 per gallon. Last year the bids on all three types of oil exceeded $2.10 per gallon. This should result in saving for the County.

Emerson reported that the rocking and graveling of the Hunter road was completed. He commented, “We’ll see how it holds up.”

The bridge crews are making good progress on the Tipton Bridge. He said they were struggling with water and mud all the time. They had to buy a new pump because the old one gave out under the load.

Next week, according to Emerson, the engineers form Schwab Easton will be on hand to update the Commissioners on new rules and regulations relating to the engineering work done for the County.

Emerson requested a twenty minute executive session with the Commissioners to discuss non-elected personnel. When the regular meeting resumed it was announced no action was taken as a result of the closed session.

Carol Miller, Director of the North Central Kansas CASA organization was on hand to review the activities of her organization. The Court Appointed Special Advocate program provides an adult to work with minor children in court cases. The job of a CASA volunteer is to be and advocate for children through the process. Currently a class of nine CASA volunteers is going through the training. The completion date for the class in April 4th.

Accompanying Miller were Crystal Paredes (Pah-rah-dez), Diane Price, and Julie Snavely.

Miller said the current emphasis is on prevention of abuse rather that dealing with it after it has happened. She acknowledged there will always be a need for care and treatment of abused children.

A local “Friends of CASA” group is active in the Beloit community. They are raising both money and awareness to assist the CASA program.

The Commissioner voted to sign a Proclamation to declare April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Mitchell County.

 

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA