MonticelloLive

Hopefully things can get back to “normal” this week.  Even the temperatures seem to be a little “off”!  
     Last Monday, December 31, began at the courthouse checking the heat.  Then I went to the shop to check with everybody. 
     The rest of the morning I was busy helping the mayor and MEDC director gather supplies for the appreciation dinner for the troops held Thursday night. 
     The afternoon was busy in the office with routine office work and calls to return from the morning. 
     Tuesday was New Years Day, so the courthouse and road department were closed.
     Wednesday began at the courthouse followed by a trip to the Bowden Loop area to check some pipes.  The rest of the morning was spent in the office checking arrangements for Thursday night.
     Wednesday afternoon the mayor, Truman Hamilton and I went to Pine Bluff to pick up chicken for Thursday night.
     Thursday began at the courthouse.  Then I took a truck to the Lone Sassafras area for a grader operator.  I also checked roads around Ladelle before heading west to check roads around South Allis Road and Pumpkin Center Road.
     Most of the afternoon was spent with office work, calls and visitors.  I did check on final preparations for the dinner that night. 
     Thursday night I helped serve the troops at the appreciation diner.  It was an honor to do so.
     Glenda Bolin and her helpers had decorated 44 tables for six and I believe nearly all were filled.  Counting the servers and kitchen help, I’d estimate well over 325 people attended the event. 
     I want to say “Thank you” to everyone who came out and cooked, served, decorated, and helped in any way.  I know the soldiers appreciated it too.  It’s great when a community comes together.  I hope we will give them a big sendoff Tuesday (January 8).  
     Friday began with brief visits to the office and shop before attending the County Judge’s Assn. board meeting in Little Rock.
     Several important items were presented to the group, including discussions on “pooling” county resources, new fire codes, weight limits on county roads, ADEM updates on continuity in government in the event of a disaster, insurance for jail inmates, and broadband internet services for rural areas.
    The topic of most importance for most of you however was a presentation from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department.  The gist of their remarks dealt with trash bins along state highways.  You should be aware that a ban on such “permanent” trash receptacles as the wire cages and wooden boxes is inevitable.  The highway department contends they are unsightly, unsanitary and make mowing unnecessarily difficult.  This is just a matter for you to about because they will probably be banned in the near future.
     Friday afternoon I returned to the office to return calls and greet visitors. 
     Last Monday began early for the Road Department.  Smith Road, Longview Road, Mammie Martin Road, Ben Loveless Road, Jones Loop Road, Gee’s Landing Road, James Glennon Road, Prairie Chapel Road and Dyson Landing Road were bladed.
     Midway Route and South Wilmar Road were patched.
     Tuesday the shop was closed for the 1st.
     Wednesday roads were checked on some routes.  Etheridge Road, Dave Knight Road, South Allis Road, Old Warren Road, Ozment Bluff Access Road, Lambert Road, Sid Caperton Road, Van Cruce Road, Selma Collins Road, North 16th Section Road, Mt. Tabor Road, Brixie Road and Shultz Lane were graded. 
     Valley Junction Road was bushhogged.  Ditches were cleaned on South Allis Road
     Campground Road, Plantersville Road, Rock Springs Road, Drew 133 Road, Barkada Road, Sanderlin Road, Pumpkin Center Road, Lambert Road and Ozment Bluff Road were patched
     Thursday saw Florence Road, Ganderville Road, Loggy Bayou Road, Old Hwy 65, Young Lane, Slina Road, Carl O’Neal Road, Horn Loop, O. Z. Simpson Road, Deal Road, streets of Ladelle, Bowden Loop, Prairie Grove, Prairie Corner and Pleasant Grove Road bladed. 
     SB2 was hauled to the shop.  A tree was removed from Sullivan Road.
     Ditches were cleaned on Deal Road.
     Streets – Bryan St., Peacock St., South Peacock St., Hodges St., Curry St., Morris St. and Bayou Road – were patched in Winchester.
     On Friday Cook Lane, New Light Road, Countryview Road, Seventh Day Adventist Road, Troy Road, Webb Road, Landfill Road, Wheeler Lane, Dream’s End Road, Grace Loop, Grace Community Road, 4 Mile Creek Road and Dollar Hill Road were graded.
     Gravel was hauled to Florence Road and the hospital property. 
     Deal Lane, Ladelle Road, McManus Road and Lone Sassafras Road were bushhogged.
     Ditches were cleaned on Gardner Road.
     Old Warren Road, Lambert Road and Drew County 133 were patched. 
     I trust a good crowd will turn out tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3:00 p.m. to see our local National Guard unit off.
     Have a great week!