By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The 911 Center gained a part-time employee, a rural Hendricks road has a new name, and the county maintenance vehicles will gain a carport during the Tucker County Commission’s meeting.
During the meeting, Michael Simmons, Interim Director of Tucker County 911 petitioned the Commission to hire a new part-time dispatcher for the 911 Center. “We had a lady put in an application a while back,” Simmons said. “Her name is Hailey Tuttle. She is a local girl. She is looking to remain local. She wants to put down permanent roots in the county and get a job started where she can grow it into a career.”
According to Simmons, he interviewed her and feels that she would be a good fit to the center. “She’s willing to pick up shifts, she can work any shifts, and she’s willing to start out part time to get her foot in the door,” Simmons said. Simmons told the commission that the center currently has two part time employees. Of those, one has limited availability and the other is looking to become full time. The center also has eight full time dispatchers according to Simmons.
“I anticipate having an opening here in the near future,” Simmons said. “People move, they want a change of environment. It’s a stressful job.” Simmons said it takes a minimum of 90 days to train a new employee. “In the past, we never took enough foresight,” Simmons said. “We had phones become available, but no one ready to step in and fill the hole…I’d like to avoid that.”
Simmons and the Commission said they were impressed by her work ethic, willingness to be a part of the team and do whatever is needed to help, and her prior work with FFA. “Someone that is looking to stay long term only benefits the county, in my opinion,” Simmons said. The Commissioners approved the part time hire effective May 1.
Also approved at the meeting was funds for an OEM Carport from Coal Severance Funds in an amount not to exceed $10,000. The purpose of the carport is to shelter equipment, including the mobile command trailer and several generators, from the elements.
“Right now, our equipment basically sets out in the weather all winter,” Tucker County Commissioner Mike Rosenau said. Simmons said the equipment included the Mobile Command trailer, several generators, and cargo trailers. “There’s a lot of money wrapped up in that command vehicle. A lot of equipment,” Simmons said.
The Commission also addressed a request by county homeowners to rename their road at the meeting. “We received an application from several homeowners,” Michael Simmons said. “It is an existing road in Hendricks…Current name is King Fisher Road. There are four residents on that road. They’ve all signed and agreed. Their one of preference is Katmandu Blvd. There is no existing Katmandu Blvd in the county currently.”
Rosenau said, “And all the land owners on that road are in agreement that Katmandu Blvd is acceptable.” Simmons said the name was one of a list that the residents had submitted for consideration. According to Simmons, all the proposed names were derived from Bob Seger songs. “If you look at the other names on the list, they are clearly Bob Seger fans, Simmons said. “They are all Bob Seger songs.” The Commission approved the name change. There is no word on when the change will officially take effect.