MonticelloLive

    Could it be that summer has been launched full-force?  This week has been warm enough.  
     The courthouse was closed last Monday for Memorial Day.  The annual Memorial Day program was held with a great crowd of nearly 100 in spite of the warm temperatures.  Most of the group were veterans and their families.  Veterans were there from service in WWII, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and the Iraqi war to honor those fallen in all wars. 
     I was honored to have been asked to be the speaker for the program.  I spoke about the origin and meaning of the day along with memories of Memorial Days past. 
     I want to express my appreciation to Carole Bulloch for taking time from her day to represent the other government officials.
     I want to express our appreciation for all veterans. Were it not for their sacrifice, we would not be free today – even though we tend to forget that at times. 
     Tuesday began early at the courthouse before going to the shop.  Then I traveled to Selma Collins Road to check work being done there.    
     The rest of the day was spent at the courthouse with office chores, calls and visitors. 
     Wednesday began as usual.  Then I helped move a truck from Plantersville Road, checking work being done in the area, including Stafford Road.
     The rest of the morning was filled with office tasks in the courthouse.
     At noon I attended the monthly Drew Memorial Hospital Board meeting.   
     Afternoon work in the courthouse completed the day.
     Thursday began at the courthouse and shop.  Then I helped deliver a truck from Hwy 133 to Barkada and another from Plantersville to Ladelle.
     Returning to the courthouse I met with David Harmon from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department about some culvert work the state will do on Hwy 278 E.
     Then a meeting was held at the courthouse with the five county judges in this judicial district (Drew, Bradley, Ashley, Desha and Chicot) and the public defender Steven Porch about his budget. 
     Regular office chores filled the rest of the day. 
     Friday I went to the courthouse and shop to make sure everything was okay.  Since I had gotten a call earlier in the week reminding me that the AHTD needed a bond check before their bid-letting, I then decided to hand deliver that check.  (If it happened to get lost or undelivered, we’d be disqualified from bidding.)
     On the way home, I also stopped in at AHTD district headquarters near Pine Bluff to request some sign work and replacements on their highway right-of-way.
     Office work and returning calls filled the rest of the day. 
     The road department did not work last Monday due to the Memorial Day holiday.  Some employees took vacation time the rest of the week.
     Tuesday Selma Collins Road and South 16th Section Road were graded.  Gravel was hauled and spread on Stafford Road.
     Ganderville Road, Ken Lane, Shultz Lane and Brixie Road were bushhogged. 
     Old Troy Road, Firing Range Road, State School Road, Burton Road, Ozment Bluff Road, Ras Pace Road, Green Hill Road, Pumpkin Center Road and Lambert Road were patched.
     Maintenance work was done at the shop.
     On Wednesday Loafers Lane, Puncheon Creek Lane, Darnell Lane, Bain Lane, Shaw Lane, Piney Creek Lane, Loggy Bayou Road, Old Hwy 65, Young Lane and Lindsey Lane were bladed.
     SB2 was hauled to the shop.
     Ables Creek Road, Loggy Bayou Road, and Old Hwy 65 (Tillar) were bushhogged.
     Rose Hill Cutoff Road, Garnett Road, East Mount Zion Road and North Peacock Street (Winchester) were patched. 
     Repair work was done at the shop.   
     Thursday saw Grace Loop, Grace Road, Lephiew Road, 4 Mile Creek Road and Dollar Hill Road graded. 
     Asphalt was hauled to patch Old Warren Road and South Wilmar Road.  
     The broom was run on Old Warren Road. 
     Work was done at the shop.
     On Friday Green Mount Road, Nolen Lane, Simpson Lane, Tara Lane, Ganderville Road, Ken Lane, Schultz Lane, Ethel Lane, Florence Road, Mount Tabor Road and Brixie Road were bladed.
     Dollar Hill Road and Old Military Road were bushhogged.
     A repaired garbage truck was picked up in Little Rock.  
     Maintenance work was done at the shop. 
     Please remember to try to eliminate standing water around your homes to eliminate breeding places for mosquitoes.  Please remember, too, that mosquito dunks are available in my office. 
     Have a great week!!