MonticelloLive

Today felt like “blackberry winter”!!  However, it is still just the middle of April! At least we aren’t plagued with flooding and its aftermath.
     Last Monday began at the courthouse checking the heat before going to the shop.  Then I helped move a truck from Plantersville Road to Hwy 133 before returning to the office for the rest of the morning.
     After lunch I went to Wilson Mill Road to check a pipe installation.  The rest of the afternoon was filled with office work.
     Tuesday began with the usual routine.  Then I took diesel to a road grader before traveling to Jerome to check drainage problems.
     Hurrying back to Monticello, I attended the Friends of the Library meeting at the library. 
     That afternoon I went to check progress on the Old Warren Road project before returning to the courthouse.  The company hired to cut some trees along the right-of-way has been detained because of some cleanup work after recent tornadoes in other areas.
     The rest of the afternoon was busy in the office with calls and routine office tasks.
     That evening I attended a meeting at the Selma Community Center.
Wednesday began at the courthouse and then the shop. Then office work filled the rest of the morning.
     That afternoon I attended the Cornerstone Coalition meeting.  After reports and routine business was conducted, a special discussion/program was presented by Joel Tolefree, Bradley Co. Chamber of Commerce, and Pat Webb, Lincoln Co. board member. 
     They had arranged to say Kim Williams, travel writer for Ark. Parks and Tourism, and a gentleman from the state park system give presentations about the profitability of heritage tourism.  Their subject was “Tourism and the Quality of Life in the Cornerstone Region”.  It was interesting.  
     When I got back to the courthouse, I checked messages and returned some calls. 
     Thursday began at the courthouse and out on Deal Road checking some drainage problems.  Then it was back to the office to handle routine chores.   
     Later I attended the Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District (SEAEDD) meeting in Sheridan.  It was fairly routine with general business matters and staff reports.
     A report from the GIF grant review committee and unemployment statistics in the area concluded the agenda. 
     There was no follow-up meeting of the Solid Waste Board due to Chairman Sonny Cox’s absence.  He was dealing with flooding in Arkansas County that day. 
     Returning to the office, I checked messages and made a few calls.
     Thursday evening I attended the Drew County Fair Board monthly meeting.
     Friday morning I checked drainage on several roads near the Saline River because it has risen quite a bit. 
     Later I attended a historic preservation meeting in Little Rock in lieu of another grant for courthouse restoration. 
     When I got back to the courthouse, I checked and returned several calls. 
     Last Monday Selma Collins Road, Barnard Road, Lindsey Lane, S.16th Section Road, Enon Deane Road, Ott Pace Road, Rash Crossing Road, N. Cominto Road, S. Cominto Road, Buddy Beaty Road, Collins Lacey Road, Pleasant Grove Road, Drew County Line Road, Boston Road, Sullivan Road, Sanderlin Road, Barkada Road, Wilmar Loop, Old Warren Road and Dave Knight Road were graded.
     Work continued on widening the eastern end of Old Warren Road.
     SB2 was hauled.           
     The old hospital lot on North Main was mowed.
     Valley Junction Road, Midway Route and Old Troy Road were patched.
     On Tuesday Grace Loop, Grace Road, 4 Mile Creek Road, New Light Road, Countryview Road, Seventh Day Camp Road, Old Troy Road, Webb Road, Huskey Trail Road, Mhoon Road, Ozment Bluff Access Road, Ben Loveless Road, Jones Loop, Gee’s Landing Road, Slina Road, Carter Road, Gardner Road, Etheridge Road, S. Allis Road, Green Mount Road, Lynn Acres Road, Dickson Road and Stafford Road were bladed.
     Work continued on Old Warren Road.  Trees were marked for removal and poles for relocation. 
     Wednesday saw Bain Lane, Shaw Lane, Piney Creek Road, Loafer’s Lane, Puncheon Creek Road, Darnell Lane, Bowden Loop, Friendship Lane, O. Z. Simpson Road, Connie Veasey Road, Ponderosa Lane, Van Cruce Road, Wilmar Cutoff Road, Avery Road, West Avery Road, Cottonwood Lane and Mack Hood Road bladed.
     “Bad spots” were dug out on Lacey New Hope Road and gravel was hauled to fill them.  A hole in a bridge was fixed.   
     SB2 was also hauled to the shop.      
     Thursday roads were checked on several routes after the rains. 
     SB2 was hauled to the shop.
     Ditches were cleaned on Deal Road.
     Patching was done on Wilmar Loop, Old Warren Road, Green Hill New Hope Road, Ozment Bluff Road and Lacey New Hope Road.
     On Friday roads and culverts were checked on road routes.
     Longview Road was ditched.
     More SB2 was hauled and work was done on Lacey New Hope Road. 
     Patching was done on Garnett Road, Bill Henry Road and Lacey New Hope Road. 
     Maintenance work was done at the shop.
     I want to recognize and thank the good folks at Green Hill and Rock Springs who have been working on their own to keep their communities and roadways clean by picking up litter.   Thank you!  We appreciate your efforts!!
     That finishes this week’s report.  Hopefully, this week will remain dry for all of Arkansas and our neighbors can begin to dry out!
     Have a great week!