MonticelloLive

    It seems that dry weather has returned in time for modern gun deer season.  Please remember not to leave deer carcasses at inappropriate places, such as roadsides and bus turnarounds. Please practice good sense and safety measures too.
     Since next Monday government offices will be closed for Veterans Day, there will be no trash pick-up.  Monday and Tuesday routes will be run Tuesday.  
     Last Monday began at the shop and office.  Then the mayor and I attended an I-69 meeting in Pine Bluff.  A large crowd heard highway officials, legislators and others extol the necessity and plans for the coming interstates.  Funding was also a paramount topic.
     Office work consumed the rest of the day. 
     Tuesday began by carrying fuel to a grader at the Hwy 83/Rabb Road intersection.  Most of the rest of the morning was spent working on an ad for the paper supporting the 1-cent Road Tax renewal.
    (Incidentally the ad was paid for out of my own pocket.  Taxpayers’ money can not be spent on political advertising.  I understand the Quorum Court has an advertisement in the paper this week.  Likewise, that was paid from their own money.
     I appreciate their stepping up to support better roads in Drew County. I also am grateful for the advertisement in support of the tax from Monticello’s four banks.)  
     Tuesday afternoon was busy at the office.  I met with an architectural representative from Clements Associates about our next historic preservation grant for the courthouse. 
     Wednesday began early taking a truck from Ladelle to Baxter for the grader operators.  The rest of the morning was busy at the courthouse. 
     At noon I attended the monthly DMH board meeting.  Later I attended the funeral of a dear friend. 
     The rest of the day was filled with office work and returning calls.
     Thursday began delivering a truck from the shop to Selma.  As I have said before, this also gives me an opportunity to check roads in the area.
     Office work filled the rest of the morning.
     At noon I spoke to the Lion’s Club about the impending 1-cent Road Tax renewal election.
     That afternoon I checked Wilmar Loop and Stafford Road.  I also checked a pipe on Midway Route and went to Enon Deane Road where we used the last of our chip and seal oil. 
     Office work finished the day.  I also wrote a letter of support for Mayor Rogers to help with a “rescue” grant.  
     Friday began at the landfill where we planted grass seed to help with erosion control.  The rest of the day was busy between the office and the shop.  I also had visitors and calls. 
     Please don’t hesitate to call in problems.  New problems can occur overnight.  We may have just missed it, so call and we’ll take care of it as soon as possible.  If you pass a downed tree or something, please don’t assume it’s been reported.  Report it.  We’d rather get several calls than none in like situations.      
     Friday evening we helped set trusses at the Selma pavilion from about 5:00 until dark.  A special thank-you goes to Tommy Hammil of Southeast Arkansas Truss Co. who volunteered his own time to help us get the trusses lined up correctly.  We certainly appreciate Mr. Hammil’s help.
     Saturday began at Selma putting up plywood for the roof on the pavilion.  I’m glad that’s done. Now we have to get it shingled. 
     That afternoon we attended the Pastor Appreciation Banquet for Pastor Michael and Tira Jones at Revival Center Church.  The site was the former Second Baptist Church.  They have really enhanced the building and we felt like we were home.  Congratulations to the Joneses for 10 years in service at the church.
     Saturday evening we attended the annual banquet of local Branch Number 6042 of the NAACP.  A large crowd attended including Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers, Winchester Mayor Merle Jackson, Drew County Sheriff Mark Gober and Raymond Frazier, representing Senator Blanche Lincoln. 
     An article about the banquet is in the paper, but I want to thank the local chapter for honoring me, along with others, this year for our work in public service in Drew County.  I am most grateful and humbled to be honored by such a distinguished group.  Thank you Branch 6042 of the NAACP!
 
     The road department is busy tending to routine chores and fix-ups around the shop and county. 
     On Monday South Allis Road, Wilmar Cutoff Road, Carter Road, Gardner Road, Tennessee Spur Road, Stafford Road and Boston Road were graded. 
     Gravel was spread on Sullivan Road. 
     SB2 was hauled to the shop.     
     Among other mechanical tasks, caution lights were changed on the F350. 
     Tuesday saw Ben Loveless Road, Gee’s Landing Road, James Glennon Road, Dyson Landing Road, Mamie Martin Road, Carl O’ Neal Road, Sullivan Road, James Brown Road, Circle B Farm Road, Faye Lane, Faith Lane, Scott Lane and Rabb Road bladed.
     Caution lights on the backhoe and taillights on the Mack dump truck were changed.
     More SB2 was hauled to the shop.
     On Wednesday Deal Road, Deal Lane, Prairie Grove Road, South Cominto Road, Slina Lane, N. Garnett Road, Pleasant Springs Road, Hayden Loop, Green Mount Road, Nolen Lane, Simpson Road, Ganderville Road, Ken Lane and Schultz Lane were graded.
     Maintenance work continued.
     Thursday Grace Community Road, Grace Loop, Skipper Bridge Road, Tara Lane, Florence Road, Brixie Road and Mount Tabor Road were bladed.
     Part of the landfill was disked and lime was spread.  
     On Friday 4 Mile Creek Road was graded.  Bulloch Headquarters Road and Lake Wallace Road were ditched.
     Rye grass was planted at the landfill to prevent erosion. 
     Maintenance work continued at the shop. 
 
     Please allow me to state again my concerns about safety during the upcoming deer season.  Please be careful out there!  
     Now I will close by reminding you that the special 1-cent County Road Tax is up for renewal by ballot in the November 13th election.  Please remember to go vote and please consider voting FOR the tax.  Early voting started Monday.  If you get to town, vote early just to be sure you are counted.  Remember government offices are closed Monday for Veterans Day.  Please be sure to vote. 
      Everyone hates the dust and mud, including my wife.  We are working as fast as possible to get all our roads hard surfaced.  This year alone we did over 40 miles.  Please allow us to continue surfacing roads and maintaining those we have done.  Let’s get everyone out of the dust!  Please go vote and vote for the 1-cent County Road Tax. 
Have a great week!!