Commission works on roads, departments tighten belts

By Janet Morales

More help is on the way for the ravaged roads of Randolph County.

Last week, the Randolph County Commission approved the bid from Altorfer in the amount of $4,250 for a Balderson Scarifier. The scarifier is a front mount attachment that has big teeth to dig up potholes. Commissioner Wayne Wilcox said it will mount on all the road graders the county owns. This makes the second scarifier of its type for the county. A third scarifier which the county owns is designed with smaller teeth to work on small holes, rough spots and “washboard” roads, said Wilcox.

The commissioners are also looking into renting a reclaimer as they did in June 2008. A reclaimer is road machinery that reestablishes the sub-base of gravel roads. The commissioners were very pleased with the way the reclaimer improved the roads where it was used, primarily in the Cairo area, but were unable to purchase it due to budget constraints. They are on a list to use the reclaimer in late spring, depending on the weather and condition of the roads.

Commissioners met with the county elected officials last week to go over the budget. Presiding Commissioner Susan Carter said the cuts the state is proposing could have quite an impact on the county.

“We asked them (officials) to please watch your pennies,” said Carter.

Carter said this is something they have never had to worry about with the departments always turning in budgets as lean as possible while still maintaining services and equipment to serve the residents of Randolph County.

“They are such a great group,” said Carter, “so fiscally responsible. The meeting was mainly so they would be mentally prepared for what might be coming.”

The commissioners have traveled the county speaking to various organizations and government entities regarding the fulltime prosecutor position. Carter spoke to the Huntsville City Council last Thursday providing information about the issue and asking for their support.

Carter spoke of the law enforcement system of the county.

“We have a wonderful sheriff,” said Carter to the council. “We have a court system that wins awards. We need to develop further all the wonderful things in the county.”

Carter told the council that having the prosecutor’s position fulltime would make the prosecutor more accessible for court dates since, by statute, a fulltime prosecutor cannot have any private practice. She said it would reduce the amount paid in fees and would allow more cases to be filed.

The issue of the fulltime prosecutor will be decided in the April 6 election.

The Commissioners and other county officials will speak to area high school students today (March 24) at the American Legion as part of County Government Day. Following a tour of the Justice Center, Moberly Courthouse, Moberly City Hall, Moberly Police and Fire Departments, students will gather at the Legion for lunch and will hear about the various county offices. The event will conclude with a program by Circuit Judge Scott Hayes.