MonticelloLive

   Today has felt as though the Dog Days of Summer are here.  Last Monday began at the courthouse and shop.  Then I helped move a truck from the shop to Wilmar and from Plantersville Road to Green Hill for the bushhog operators.  I flagged for a pipe on N. Grace Loop Road before returning to the courthouse.  Office work filled the rest of the day.
     Part of those duties included swearing in Carole Bulloch to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission after her appointment by Governor Beebe. Congratulations to Mrs. Bulloch!
     Tuesday also began at the courthouse and the shop.  Then I went to check progress on the bridge replacements being done on Florence Road.  I later took a truck from Wilmar to the Landfill for the bushhog operator before returning to office chores the rest of the morning.      
     At noon I attended a substance abuse meeting in Warren.  Office work finished the day. Public Defender Steven Porch stopped by for a visit.   
     I also had the privilege of uniting Ms Kristen Koone and Mr. Chris Bussell in marriage.  Congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple!!
     That evening I went out to Florence Road to check on the new bridges and found one completed.  The guys did a fine job on it.
     Wednesday began as usual.  I then checked roads in the area of the bridge work on Florence Road before returning to the office.  At noon I attended the regular monthly MEDC meeting. 
     The rest of the day was busy in the office with calls, office work, etc.  I did have the honor of officiating at another wedding.
     Ms Latresa Jackson wedded Mr. Tarvis Tatum.  Congratulations to the newlyweds!
     Thursday morning began at the courthouse.  Then I went to see the bridgework done on Florence Road.  Both bridges were completely replaced and the crew finished a day early!  
     I went to the Arkansas Forestry Commission office near the college to complete paperwork for obtaining trees to plant at the landfill site before returning to office chores for the rest of the day. 
     I did have another wedding ceremony Thursday afternoon.  Ms Lakisha Everett became the bride of Mr. Ralph D. Walter.  Best wishes to the happy couple!!
     Friday was the Fourth of July and the courthouse and road department were closed in celebration.  We did receive .6 inches of rain Friday at my house.
     The weekend was pretty quiet.  I did get a call and went out Sunday afternoon to check a hole in a road in the southeastern part of the county.  It turned out that the road is a state highway and it is almost in Chicot County.  I did notify the Arkansas Highway Department for the folks. 
     Last Monday grader operators graded Grace Road, Four Mile Creek Road, Dollar Hill Road and Lephiew Road.  Gravel was spread on Grace Road.
     Roads on other routes were checked.
     Valley Junction Road was patched.
     Half of Webb Road was bushhogged.
     Work began on the bridges on Florence Road.
     On Tuesday Loggy Bayou Road, Old Hwy 65 (Tillar) and Young Lane were graded. Others on routes were checked.
     Bordeaux Road, South 16th Section Road, N. 16th Section Road, Lucas Lane, Ables Creek Road, Loggy Bayou Road and Old Hwy 65 (Tillar) were patched.
     Half of Webb Road, Old Warren Road, Pumpkin Center Road and Lambert Road were bushogged.
     Bridge work continued.
     Wednesday saw Selma Collins Road, Barnard Road, S. 16th Section Road, Longview Road, Prairie Chapel Road, Ozment Bluff Access Road, Webb Road, Huskey Trail Road and Countryview Lane graded.
     Etheridge Road, Green Hill Road and Barnes Road were bushhogged.
     Thursday grader operators checked their routes.
     Burton Road and Bowser Road were bushhogged. 
     A-stone was hauled to the shop. 
     Maintenance work was done on equipment at the shop. 
     I want to thank the folks on Florence Road for their patience last week while we were replacing those two bridges.  We regret the inconveniences, but the work had to be done.
    If you live out that way and saw those pipes you saw how big they were.  They were a good eight feet in diameter.  I could stand in them with lots of headroom.  We used five (5) for the two bridges. 
     The courthouse and road department were closed Friday for the 4th of July holiday.  Please call if you have any large (bulk) garbage pickup for this Saturday, the 12th.
     Have a great week!