MonticelloLive

Christmas Day 2007 is history! Obviously it wasn’t a white one.  That’s okay by me!
Last Monday began at the courthouse and then the shop.  Then I took a truck to have a flat fixed.  We were a bit shorthanded this week because some employees had vacation time due them. 
     Later I met with Sheriff Gober about the location of some Leyland cypresses planted in front of the detention facility and in the mini-park.  These will enhance the appearance of the facility.
     The rest of the morning was filled with regular office tasks and calls.
      That afternoon I had the privilege of swearing Monticello High School principal Kenny Pennington onto the Arkansas Pygmalion Commission on Nontraditional Education.  This commission’s work relates to alternative learning environments for students. 
     The rest of the afternoon was busy with office chores. 
     Monday night the regular monthly meeting of the Drew County Quorum Court was held.
     Tuesday began by taking a truck from the shop to Selma for the grader operators.  I checked the take-off ditches on Selma- Collins Road while I was in the area.  Later I checked Wilmar Loop and Sanderlin Road. 
     Office chores, calls and visitors consumed the rest of the day.
     Wednesday began at the office and shop early.  Then I went to check N. 16th Section Road, S. 16th Section Road, Ganderville Road, Loggy Bayou Road and Old Hwy 65 before returning to the office.
     Back in town, I had an interesting meeting with Monticello Superintendent Bobby Harper. 
     Later the mayor and I attended a brief meeting with the Intermodal Authority before returning to Monticello for holiday luncheons at the city warehouse and courthouse respectively. 
     Office work, calls and visitors finished the day.  
     On Thursday I began the day by flagging for a pipe on South 16th Section Road.  Office work filled the rest of the morning. 
     At noon I was privileged to be invited to Christmas “dinner” at Monticello Senior Citizens Center.  The food was delicious and the company great! 
     That afternoon I checked Pumpkin Center Road before finishing the rest of the day at the office.
     Thursday evening we attended the annual Christmas Banquet held by the sheriff’s department.  The food and the company were great there too!
     Friday my secretary was out.  She went to Kessler Air Force Base near Biloxi, Mississippi, to pick up her son for Christmas.  I was busy at the office most of the day with routine office work and calls.
     We did have a great Christmas dinner at the shop at noon. 
     As I stated earlier the road department was a tad shorthanded last week.  However, they managed to keep things caught up.
    Last Monday Ott Pace Road, Rash Crossing Road, Pleasant Grove Road, South Cominto Road and 5th and 6th streets, Michigan Avenue and Missouri Avenue in Ladelle were graded.  Other roads were checked.  
     Ladelle Road, McManus Road and Valley Junction Road were patched.
     Rocks were pushed up on Barkada Road while the bomag machine was moved from Green Hill Road to the shop. 
     A pipe was installed on Ozment Bluff Road.
     SB2 was hauled to the shop. 
     On Tuesday Grace Loop Road, Grace Community Road, 4 Mile Creek Road, New Light Road, Countryview Road, 7th Day Adventist Road, Old Troy Road, Transfer Station Road, Webb Road and Landfill Road were graded.
     SB2 was hauled to Collins Cemetery Road and Garnett Road. Red gravel was hauled to Garnett Road and Ozment Bluff Road for culverts. 
     Cracks were filled on Valley Junction Road.  A grader received some attention.
     Wednesday saw Deal Road, Deal Lane, Connie Veasey Road, Huskey Trail Road, South Allis Road, Dave Knight Road, Old Warren Road, Lambert Road, Mhoon Road, Thomas Lane, Van Cruce Road, ½ of Sid Caperton Road, Selma Collins Road and Brixie Road bladed.
    On Thursday SB2 was hauled to the shop.  Work was done around the shop. Routes were checked. 
    Friday saw maintenance work and repairs done around the shop.  Blades were changed on the graders.  Routes were checked.
     9-1-1 signs were installed on Cottonwood Lane and Seven Devil’s Lake Road. 
     Ditches were repaired on Pumpkin Center Road.   
     Work was done to clean up around the shop.
     I do want to tell you that I have applied to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) for another grant for the courthouse.  This one will provide for cleaning and a general “facelift” for the front of the building.  We will eventually clean and regrout stonework on all four sides.  We just think it best to do one at a time and we chose to start with the front portion.  
     Please be aware that county offices and services will be closed on December 31, New Year’s Eve, and January 1, New Year’s Day. Trash WILL NOT be picked up Monday and Tuesday.  However, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday routes WILL be picked up on Wednesday.
    We trust everyone had a safe, Merry Christmas and wish each of you a safe, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
     See you next year!!