MonticelloLive

Today is Memorial Day.  I trust we remember the reason for the holiday and pause to remember those who gave their “all” in the cause of liberty in the yesterdays and today.
     Last Monday I began early at the courthouse and shop before going to the fire training station for another session on safe schools. 
     Then I went to the local Dept. of Rural Services office where another grant was awarded for the rehabilitation of the Selma Community Center, aka Rosenwald School.  The folks at Selma really appreciate this support of their restoration efforts.
     From there I hurried to Drew Memorial Hospital for a requested meeting with a consultant firm involving energy-saving ideas.
    After lunch I went to check a problem on Hwy 133 before returning to the office for the rest of the day.  Office tasks, calls and final preparations for Quorum Court meeting filled the rest of the day.
     Monday evening the monthly Quorum Court meeting was held.  After the meeting we walked to the library to examine the site to be purchased for parking lot expansion. 
     Tuesday began at the courthouse before delivering a truck to Hwy 133 for a grader operator and checking some roads in the west central part of the county. 
     Office work filled the rest of the morning. 
     That afternoon I went to check work being done on Sanderlin Road before returning to the courthouse and office chores and calls the rest of the day.
     Tuesday evening we returned to the courthouse to help with the election results.  We were trying to get everyone to use the south door to bring the results inside without jamming the narrow back hall and creating mass confusion.
     Congratulations to all the winners and to the democratic process and the rule of the people. 
     Wednesday I met early with Kim Patterson, SEARK Regional Library director, to discuss the forthcoming parking lot.
     Then I hurried to the office to do a few chores before heading to the Senior Citizens Center.  There I was asked to present the annual awards for volunteer hours and service to the center. 
     Wednesday was meatloaf day at the center, but I couldn’t stay for lunch because I had to attend the Intermodal Authority meeting. 
     At the Intermodal meeting a grant was announced and you should soon see increased activity at the site.  I believe the Intermodal Facility is the future of economic development in Drew County.
     After lunch I checked a reported hole on Old Hwy 13 and a pipe installation at the Drew County Fairgrounds. 
     Office work, including a final bid check for the AHTD, filled the rest of the afternoon.
     Thursday I went to the courthouse and shop to make sure the day got off to a good start.  Then I went to the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) in Little Rock to deliver a bid for a road project.  You may remember we can bid on our own road projects (to a point) and get paid by the state to do them.  This makes our money go further.
    Leaving there I came back by the SEAEDD office in Pine Bluff to apply for a grant for a trailer to collect scrap metal for recycling. 
    Returning to the office, I returned calls and had office work to fill the afternoon.
     Thursday evening we attended the graduation exercises for the Adult Education Center students.  The students are to be commended for their efforts.  It takes character to return to school and get a diploma too.  This year there were about 39 students achieving their GED.  Congratulations to the graduates.  
     Friday morning began at the courthouse early before going to the shop.  Then I helped deliver a truck from Garnett Road to Plantersville Road, checking for problems along the way.  (We had received about .11 inches of rain at my house overnight.)
     Returning to the courthouse I administered the oath of office to Monticello businessman Donny Jackson, whom I appointed to the DMH Board. 
     Then I hurried to a meeting with Mayor Rogers and Byron Neal of Delta Environmentals about an increase in garbage rates due to rising fuel costs.  That idea was tabled.
     Office tasks and calls filled the afternoon. 
     I did have one wedding.  Ms Paula Amos became the bride of Mr. Jeff Amos.  Best wishes to the newlyweds!
      Last Monday Pleasant Grove Road, Bowden Loop, Prairie Grove Road, Deal Road, Deal Lane, Slina Road, O. Z. Simpson Road, Carl O’Neal Road, Horn Loop, Prairie Chapel Road, Longview Road, Jones Loop, Ben Loveless Road, Smith Road, Mhoon Road, Boston Road, Sullivan Road, Cottonwood Lane, Mack Hood Road, Faye Lane, Faith Lane, Scott Lane and Rabb Road were graded.
     SB2 was hauled to Old Warren Road and Midway Route for spreading.
     Midway Route, Goose Hollow Road, Valley Junction Road, Wilson Mill Road and Lone Sassafras Road were patched.
     Mammie Martin Road, Dyson Landing Road, Carl O’Neal Road and Prairie Chapel Road were bushhogged. 
     Tuesday saw gravel spread on Wilmar Loop.  Gravel was hauled to the shop, Midway Route for putting in culverts. 
     Garnett Road, Pleasant Springs Road, Dickson Road, Wilmar Loop, Barkada Road and Sanderlin Road were graded.  
     The library grounds, the old hospital grounds and the health department grounds were mowed.
     South Cominto Road, Collins Line Road, Moss Street in Collins and 4 Mile Creek Road were patched. 
     Several pieces of equipment received work at the shop. 
     On Wednesday gravel spreading was finished on Wilmar Loop.  Spreading gravel and pulling ditches was begun on Sanderlin Road.
     Dow Russell Road, Stafford Road, Old Warren Road, Lambert Road, Etheridge Road, Dave Knight Road and South Allis Road were graded.   
     SB2 was hauled to the shop and to stockpiles at Ladelle, Lacey, New Hope, Wilmar and Jose Chapel Road.
     Carpenter Road, Grizzell Lane, N. 16th Section Road, Lucas Lane, Old Military Road, Ables Creek Road, Loggy Bayou Road and Old Hwy 65 (Tillar) were patched.
     Ben Loveless Road, Smith Road, Longview Road, Jones Loop and Lambert Road were bushhogged.
     Thursday Sanderlin Road was ditched and gravel spread. 
      SB2 was hauled to the shop.  Several gravel stockpiles were replenished.  
      A 30’ x 30’ pipe was installed on Old Hwy 13.  A hole was patched on Collins Line Road.    
     Florence Road, Jose Chapel Road, Jose Chapel Cut-off Road and Pleasant Springs Road were patched.
     7th Day Camp Road, Old Troy Road, Drew 22, Old Dermott Road and the south end of Cherry Street were bushhogged.
     On Friday SB2 was hauled and spread on Midway Route and Circle B Road to fix washes. 
    Several roads and culverts on routes were checked.
     W. Mount Zion Road, Plantersville Road, Campground Loop, Rock Springs Road and Hwy 133 were patched.      
     Some maintenance work was done in the shop.
     On Thursday and/or Friday Rabb Road, Old Hwy 13, Garnett Road, Hayden Loop, Pleasant Springs Road, E. Mount Zion Road, West Mount Zion Road, Barkada Road and Old Hwy 13 were bushhogged.    
     Please be aware that the mosquitos “dunks” are again available at my office.  Please remember too that old tires are mosquito hatcheries and haul these to the transfer station.  Please remember to try to eliminate all standing water as these are habitats for mosquitoes.  Predictions say they will be “bad” this year.  Let’s help ourselves by not making life easier for them.
     On Wednesday, June 4, John Wright from U. S. Congressman Mike Ross’ office will be at the courthouse from 2:30 to 3:30.  If you have questions or concerns for Congressman Ross, please come by and share them with Mr. Wright.
     At the Memorial Day ceremony Monday someone left a lawn chair.  It may be picked up at my office.
     Have a great week!!