Frankie Schwartz of Schwartz Auto Salvage was informed this week that he won his latest crusade to have a personal copy of a Harvester Edition Bible placed within the Dent County Courthouse. Schwartz lobbied the county commission on Feb. 19. After deliberating over the issue, the commission approved the use of Schwartz’s bible for official courthouse business. This means that going forward folks as diverse as criminals on trial and public officials taking oaths of office will be laying their hands on Frankie Schwartz’s bible. Schwartz himself is not worried though, “before they were politicians they were human beings,” he said. “It don’t matter if you’re a saint or sinner, lost or saved, everyone should have respect for God’s word.”
• Presiding Dent County Commissioner Darrell Skiles reported to the commission on March 5 that he as well as the other two commissioners attended the town hall meeting at Fort Leonard Wood concerning potential drawdowns at the site. Skiles said the meeting was very well attended and the audience included Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt, Governor Jay Nixon, as well as dozens of other state and local officials.
• Skiles reported on March 9 that he will be attending Salem Area Community Betterment Association board meeting Monday as well as a Meramec Community Enhancement board meeting today (Tuesday). The commission will also be meeting with school administrators of Wednesday.
• First District Commissioner Dennis Purcell reported that work crews will be cleaning and washing snow removal equipment as this material received a lot of work over the past month. Crews will also be checking for mud and hazardous tree limbs.
• Second District Commissioner Gary Larson reported that crews will be cleaning and greasing spreader boxes. Crews will also be checking for muddy spots and potentially screening for rock. Larson noted that some roads may be treated for mud sooner than others as it would do more harm than good to take the heavy equipment in those areas in the condition they are in now.
• County Clerk Angie Curley reported to the commission that the deadline to register to vote in the April election is Wednesday. Curley’s office also balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for February.
• Dent County Treasurer Denita Williams visited the commission Monday and reported that the county took in $78,892.24 in revenue for February. This is $407.15 less than February of last year.
