MonticelloLive

Our weather ran through the seasons last week!  The snow was pretty, but I am glad it came and went quickly. 
    Last Monday began at the courthouse checking the heat.  Then I went to check roads in the areas near Goose Hollow Road, Valley Junction Road, Bowden Loop, and S. Allis Road. 
     The rest of the day was busy with office chores at the courthouse.
     At noon I did file for re-election as county judge.  I appreciate your confidence in me in that the filing period has passed and I will have no opposition.  Thank you.  I will always do my best to represent your best interest in all matters.  I look forward to another busy, successful road paving season too.
     Tuesday morning I checked the heat and checked in at the shop before leaving to join the MEDC delegation to Washington to visit with Arkansas’ congressional delegation about some of our financial needs in the area.  (We left in snow in central Arkansas and arrived there in thunderstorms and humid weather.)
     The delegation presented a packet of 8 needs for our region; including more funding of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center at UAM, the Regional Intermodal Facility, the new North-South bypass, completion of I-530 and the I-69 connector; a county wide early warning system and upgrading technology support for the library, hospital and the school district.
     Wednesday was a day of running between their respective offices, but we visited all of our congressmen and senators offices and got good responses for their support.  It may be a time before we get hard cash.  However, last year’s trip brought money to UAM and nearly a half-million to the hospital.  Sometimes you need to look a person in the eye and ask – to receive. 
     Thursday we spent the day trying to get home ahead of the bad weather heading to Arkansas even though it was warm and humid in Washington. 
     We sat over two hours on the tarmac in Washington because of a malfunctioning air conditioning system that involved air pressure in the plane.  This caused us to miss our flight in Atlanta and we spent another frustrating two hours on standby for the next flight to Little Rock.  Luckily we were able to catch the next flight and got into Little Rock ahead of the bad weather.
     Friday began at the courthouse and shop.  Then I went to flag for pipes.  I also checked roads in the Gardner Road and Lacey Collins Road areas.
     The rest of the day was busy in the office with regular office work.  I closed the courthouse about 2:30 because of the snowfall, but County Clerk Lyna Gulledge and I stayed until 4:30 p.m. to keep the offices open for persons filing for elective offices.
     Although I live about 10 miles north of town, it took 35 minutes of slow driving to get home.  The snow was so deep on my road I couldn’t tell “road” from “ditch”.  I felt like a trailblazer.  We were fortunate not to lose our electricity. 
     Saturday morning several from the road department were out early clearing trees from many roadways. I drove some roads too, looking for downed trees to report to them.  
     Last Monday the graders bladed Loggy Bayou Road, Old Hwy 65, Young Lane, Peacock Road (Winchester), McMahon Road, Boston Road, Sullivan Road and County Line Road.  Other roads were checked. 
     SB2 was hauled to the stockpile.  Pipes were flagged for Huskey Trail Road.
     Three (3) pipes were hauled and installed in Winchester.  One 18 x 24 pipe was installed on South Allis Road and an 18 x 20 on Green Hill-New Hope Road.
     Shultz Lane, Ganderville Road, Ken Lane and Brixie Road were bushhogged.
     Midway Route and Valley Junction Road were patched.
     Tuesday saw roads checked along routes for washouts and stopped pipes.
     Silver Mount Church Road was ditched.
     SB2 was hauled to the stockpile. Signs were replaced or straightened around the county.
     A tree was cut from Goose Hollow Road.  
     Maintenance work was done at the shop.
     On Wednesday Collins Line Road was graded.  Other roads were checked.
     More SB2 was hauled for the city. 
     An 18 x 20 pipe was installed near Wilmar.  Their rockpile was pushed up.
     Florence Road, Jose Chapel Cut-off Road and Mt. Tabor Road were bushhogged.
     Valley Junction Road, Wilson Mill Road, South Bowser Road, Green Hill Road and Barkada Road were patched.
     Thursday Selma Collins Road, Brixie Road, Shultz Lane, Webb Road and Landfill Road were graded. 
     More SB2 was hauled.
     Three 18 x 20 pipes were installed on Selma Collins Road.
     Drew 22 Road, Carpenter Road and Old Warren Road were bushhogged.
     More of Barkada Road, Sanderlin Road, Drew County 133 and South Wilmar Road were patched.
    Once again on Friday roads were checked and culverts cleaned.SB2 was hauled for the city, to Skipper Bridge Road and to Grace Loop.
     Five (5) 18 x 30 pipes were installed – 2 on Panther Break Road and one (1) each on Grace Loop, Collins Line Road and in Jerome. 
     On Saturday several worked much of the day blading snow off roads and moving trees from the roadways, particularly on Valley Junction Road, Lacey New Hope Road, Beulah Road, Lambert Road and Rabb Road.  Thankfully not much real damage was done.   
     I want to extend a request and an invitation.  On Thursday, March 27, Congressman Mike Ross will host a Bio-fuels Forum at UAM.  He will be bringing guests and he and I would like to invite you to come and listen and learn.  We would like to have a substantial crowd in the audience.  Congressman Ross always represents us to the best of his abilities.  He works for us and asks our support.  I hope to see you there. 
     Further information is pending.  Watch this column and the Advance.    
     Have a great week!!