COUNTY COMMISSION: Smith’s field representative shares updates

No meeting was held Thursday, Feb. 29 due to the commissioners attending an annual County Commissioners Association of Missouri (CCAM) conference.

Jason Smith, US representative for Missouri’s eight congressional district, had field representative Grant Wilson attend the meeting to share a brief, routine legislative updates with the commissioners. Smith was in Jefferson City last Tuesday, Feb. 27, to file for re-election, and he’s back in D.C. “to try to make sure that we can keep the government open,” said Wilson. As of March 4, Wilson reports that there are two opponents running for the eighth congressional district: Randi McCallian and Franklin Delano Roth II. Both are democrats.

During the commissioner’s time at the capital, Larson shared that Ron Copeland said he was not running for re-election, although he has already filed and paid the fee.

Also, at the commission meeting held Feb. 26:

• the business Renodry, with Rachael White and Michael Clancey, came in to visit about eliminating moisture that destroys buildings and foundations. The commission agreed 3-0 for a free assessment and analysis.

• Corky Stack came in with Stack Engineering for a change order of taking off the cost of the $17,000 electrical work of the Courthouse exterior as part of the repair project. The county went with the City of Salem’s proposal for electrical work at a more efficient cost.

• Tommy Shaw with American Muffler came in to ask if a truck crossing sign can be put by his house due to a safety issue of people speeding on the road and trucks going in and out of the approach. The commission agreed to put one up.

Larson shared that all three commissioners attended their training on Wednesday, Feb. 28. On their first day, they heard updates from University of Missouri Extension and Missouri Association of Counties (MAC). They also heard legislative updates – “Some good, some bad,” shared Larson.

Larson reported that he was able to speak with other counties within the same class and share updates on Salem. They were able to meet and speak with other commissioners, as well.

On the second day, from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. they were invited to the capital to visit with legislators. They attended a meeting titled “how to run a meeting” ran by Travis Elliot that was “quite informational”, reported Larson. There was also a discussion held regarding SB190 and its complications. He received information from the Judicial Finance Committee regarding the opioid settlement.

Curley reported that March 6, this coming Wednesday, will be the last day to register to vote for the April 2 municipal election. No excuse absentee voting begins March 19 and continues through April 1. The last day to mail out absentee ballots is March 20. There will be a voter registration drive at Salem High School March 5 (today).

Wilson asked Curley how the presidential caucus went, and Curley reported that there were 71 attendees that signed in and were able to vote in the Dent County caucus. There were two spectators. It was a unanimous vote for Donald Trump. The results for the entire state’s caucus has not been announced.

There were phone bids taken for one thousand gallons of gas for the road department: MFA Oil offered $2.485; Phil Mart, $2.85; and County Fuels, LLC, $2.85. MFA Oil was awarded the bid.

Road reports

District One Commissioner Wes Mobray (Jason Akins) Crews will be grading county roads 5220, 2450, and 5610; and hauling rock to 5610. Larson asked whether there was enough moisture for grading, and Akins reported that it was “getting dry” but crews will manage.

District Two Commissioner Gary Polk

Crews will be grading county roads 2150, 2155, and 2120; cutting brush on 4050; and hauling rock to 2120 and 2150. Crews will be installing signs on county roads 2210 and 3355. One of the signs will be a truck crossing sign.