MonticelloLive

I trust everyone had a merry Christmas and will have a happy new year in 2008.  The holidays have gotten everything off schedule and it is sometimes difficult to keep the days straight.  With the holidays and people trying to get in vacation days, our routine has been interrupted.  
The courthouse was closed Monday through Wednesday for Christmas last week.  When we did return on Thursday, wet weather and rain hampered our road grading. We will get caught up this week if the weather permits. 
The courthouse WAS open Monday, December 31, and we closed January 1st.  We are up and running today (Wednesday) and I am eager to get everything back on schedule.  Please be patient as we hurry to get things back in shape. 
I did take the opportunity to take some time Wednesday, the day after Christmas, to ride some roads looking for trouble spots. 
     Last Thursday morning I began at the office and then the shop where a new pressure washer was delivered and demonstrated.  Most of the rest of the day was busy in the office.  My secretary was out, but we still had to get “things back in order” after Christmas.  Some paperwork waits for no one.  
     Friday began at the office.  Then I went to check Dave Knight Road and South Allis Road. Later I took a truck to Florence to a grader operator. 
     Then I attended a planning meeting at the MEDC offices in preparation for a dinner being planned to honor our National Guard troops who are being deployed to Iraq.  They will be leaving the 8th. 
     The day they pull out, we want well-wishers to show their support by lining the highway, waving them goodbye and wishing them a safe return soon.  You’ll hear more about that in the paper and on the radio in a day or two.  
     After lunch I attended a “bond signing” for the proposed Center for Youth and Families being built west of Drew Memorial Hospital.
     When I returned to the office, I held a wedding ceremony.  Ms Candice Brooks became the bride of Mr. Bryan Kaiser.  Congratulations to the newlyweds! 
     As I said earlier, the Road Department was shorthanded during this 2-day week because some were taking accumulated vacation time.  Rain also kept them off the roads except in emergency situations. 
     The crew on hand spent their time with regular maintenance work to get equipment ready to roll on Monday.  Some also did some pick-up, cleanup chores around the shop.
     2007 was a very good year for the Road Department.  We managed to get folks out of the dust on approximately 40 more miles of our county roads.   
     We did this while continuing to maintain and/or improve the other 560 miles of county roads – the graveled and the hard surfaced. 
     We graveled; we ditched; we patched; we cut trees off roadways; we did whatever wherever we could to better the roads and byways of Drew County for public (your) use.
     Other highlights for the year include, but are not limited to the following:
     This year we also acquired 70+ acres adjoining the present landfill for future landfill expansion; Drew County should be well set in that area for the next 60 years. 
     We completed the renovation of the front “porch” of the courthouse using grant funds and not local money.  A sought-after 2008 grant will clean and restore the front “face” of the75-year-old building.
     The Center for Youth and Families was secured this year and should be completed by mid-July, weather permitting.
     Lastly, and maybe of greatest importance, the voters of Drew County renewed the 1-cent Special Road Tax.  Without this tax we would not be able to maintain the roads to the extent we are doing and we certainly couldn’t hard surface new roads.  I certainly appreciate the faith the voters demonstrated by their overwhelming support.  I felt like the voters had given themselves and me an early Christmas present.  Again I want to thank all of you.    
     We anticipate more road construction this year.  If we have not gotten to you yet, please be patient.  Your time is coming!  I understand your feelings.  We still live on a graveled road too!
      We wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year – and for Drew County we also wish new industry and new jobs!
     Have a great week!