MonticelloLive

The weather is so warm that the only thing it’s good for is road work. We’re coming along on that!! We’ve begun chip and sealing Longview Road.
Last Monday began at the courthouse and shop. Then I helped move a truck from the Valley to Ladelle, scanning roads and culverts along the route.
Courthouse work filled the rest of the day, including calls, visitors and preparations for the monthly Quorum Court meeting.
Monday evening the Quorum Court meeting was held.
Tuesday I checked the courthouse and shop early. Then I moved a truck from the Valley to Ladelle for the bushhog operator. I also helped take diesel to a grader and bushhog on Plantersville Road. This gives me an opportunity to look at the roads in that area.
Then I traveled to see the work begun on Longview Road before returning to the office. When I got there, I had to run out to the Rosenwald School to see a contractor about windows.
Office tasks filled the rest of the morning and early afternoon.
Later I was on the Selma Collins Road looking for a water source when we chip it. This is a state aid job and we must have it. Office work finished the day.
That evening I had to catch a gentleman home to get papers signed for a right-of-way to get electricity to the landfill.
We received a pleasant surprise in the form of 1.32 inches of rain later that evening.
Wednesday began as usual. Then I delivered the paperwork to the local Entergy office for the power to the landfill.
Office chores and activities finished the day.
Another one inch of rain surprised us again Wednesday evening.
After the routine chores on Thursday, I traveled to Stafford Road to take diesel to a grader and truck. We had to empty the tank on the truck so the bed could be removed and a new fuel pump installed.
Office chores, calls and visitors finished the morning and most of the afternoon. Late that afternoon I did go back out with Quorum Court member Jimmy Potter to continue searching for a water source for the chip and seal job. This has become a frustrating task.
Friday began early at the courthouse and shop. Then I traveled to the Valley area to see the work being done on Longview Road.
Later I went to the Ark. Assn. of Counties building in Little Rock to get an update on the road seminar and attend the CJA executive board meeting addressing various matters of concern to county judges.
One vital piece of information was presented by an AHTD representative that may affect many of you. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department implied that they will soon place a “ban” on trash/bins or trash containers that are “fixed” along their right-of-ways along state highways. This will eliminate trash containers that stay by the roads. They will insist upon the use of portable containers that may be moved off the roadways on days garbage is not picked up.
The representative showed pictures of the unsightly/ unhealthy containers that have created this problem. Once again, a few untidy people have created a problem for all.
I am just preparing you for the state mandate against “fixed” trash containers. It is forthcoming. This will not affect county roads - just state highways.
Saturday and Sunday I attended another round of Incident Command System classes through ADEM and held at the Fire Training Station on Hwy 278. It was a long weekend!
The road department has been tied up with our chip and seal project on Longview Road for the most part.
Additionally, last Monday Gee’s Landing Road and James Glennon Road were graded and ditched. Class 2 was also hauled to Wilmar.
Ben Loveless Road, Smith Road, Prairie Chapel Road, Longview Road, McManus Road and Ladelle were bushhogged.
Plantersville Road, West Mount Zion Road, East Mount Zion Road and Garnett Road were patched.
Tuesday saw work continue on Longview chip and seal. More Class 2 was hauled to Wilmar.
Lone Sassafras Road, Pleasant Grove Road, Cook Lane, Baker Cemetery Road, New Light Road, Wilson Mill Road and Countryview Lane were bushhogged.
Green Hill Road, Pumpkin Center Road, Lambert Road, Ozment Bluff Road, Ras Pace Road and Green Hill New Hope Road were patched.
On Wednesday chip and seal continued on Longview Road. More class 2 was hauled.
Boston Road, Sullivan Road, McMahon Road, Dow Russell Road, Gardner Road, Dickson Road, Stafford Road and Barkada Road were graded.
Florence Road, Jose Chapel Road, Jose Chapel Cut-off Road and Rose Hill Cut-off Road were bushhogged.
Barnes Road, South Bowser Road and Bowser Road were patched.
Thursday saw work continue on Longview Road.
Bridge signs were installed on Green Hill New Hope Road, Bordeaux Road and North 16th Section Road.
Cottonwood Lane, Avery Road, Mack Hood Road, Faith Lane, Faye Lane, Scott Lane, James Brown Road, Rabb Road and Pleasant Springs Road were graded.
Friday work continued on Longview Road’s chip and seal.
Maintenance work was done around the shop.
Diesel was carried to the Bomag. A hose was repaired on a spray truck.
Friday I also learned that 596 Drew County citizens have not received their Economic Stimulus Checks from the federal government. These people are mostly veterans and Senior citizens who did not file federal tax returns because their income was too low or not subject to federal income taxes.
In order to get their checks, they MUST file a 1040A form by October 15. If they do this they will receive a minimum of $300, but time is running out.
If you are a member of this group and have not received your check, you need to get a 1040A form and file it out and send it to the IRS. You may find the forms at the post office.
Have a great week!!