Commission thanks residents for road patience

Janet Morales, Moberly Mirror

Roads are still at the top of the Randolph County Commission concern list.

Last Thursday, the three commissioners toured a section of the county to check the conditions of county roads and to review some of the work that has been done.

“There are places that are on mud routes – like snow routes – because they can’t get down some of their roads,” said Presiding Commissioner Susan Carter. “We don’t have any of that here.”

Carter said the county’s rotary ditcher has been put to very good use. Commissioner Wayne Wilcox said it should be referred to as a ditch cleaner.

“The ditch cleaner removes sediment and gets the ditch flowing,” said Wilcox. “Wet and sloppy are the ideal conditions for the ditcher.”

“We want to thank everyone for calling with their suggestions and their needs,” said Commissioner Randy Asbury. “Everyone who has called has been very polite. In most cases we have been able to send someone out to take care of any problems.”

In other action, the commissioners met with Sheriff Mark Nichols concerning a new telephone item for the Justice Center.

Generally when jurors are called to potentially serve for a court case, they are required to call beforehand to make sure the case is still going to jury trial since cases are often settled outside court. Currently, jurors call the sheriff’s office to make their inquiries. The new feature will establish a separate line for jurors only and will have a recording to give out the news of cancellations. This will free up a person in the sheriff’s office, making it more efficient.

The statewide tornado drill was conducted last Thursday afternoon as the commission was in session. The commissioners discussed safety procedures in case of an actual tornado or severe storm. Carter said courthouse personnel and visitors would likely go to the basement in case of such an event.

Wilcox is the commission’s representative on the Northeast Missouri Workforce Investment Board which met recently. The board acts as an overseer for 16 counties, including Randolph, and works to improve the readiness of the area’s workforce.

Wilcox said the board rehired its current contractors: Gamm, Inc. and Booneslick RPC. Gamm provides financial assistance and services for job training and Booneslick provides job training and education. Wilcox said the contractors are very competitive and will provide the same services as before we just a few alterations.

“Other boards waited to see what we would do,” said Wilcox. “Other districts are modeling themselves after us. We work real hard to keep costs in line. Some districts have had problems with too many in mid- and upper-management and the dollars weren’t getting to workers that needed assistance. We don’t have that issue here. When Susan (Carter) was on the board, she and the other members had driven a hard bargain.”

　GM is reconsidering the closure of many of its dealerships, which affects Thomas Motors in Moberly. Carter said Thomas Motors asked the commission to draft a letter on their behalf to send to Detroit and the commission complied with this request.

The commissioners continue to talk to groups around the county regarding the need for a full-time prosecutor. Friday, they addressed the Huntsville Rotary Club and fielded questions regarding the proposal which will go before voters April 6.