By Jennifer Britt
Director of Tucker County 911, Beverly Cantrell, excitedly addressed the members of the Commissioner’s Board. Cantrell explained that Parsons has now been fully switched from T1 line communication to the microwave form. Cantrell along with Emiel Butcher (Butch), President of MicroLogic, and Dave Eubank have been working together to achieve completion. Cantrell had also been working side by side with Adam Abrogast before his passing. Cantrell said she knew he was jumping up and down along with her when the tower was completed and connection was achieved. “He is truly missed,” stated Cantrell.
The 2013 T1 connection was faulty and could be cut out for periods of time, making it unsafe not only for the local emergency workers but also for the citizens of Tucker County. The new microwave 140 foot tower was constructed and fully funded by MicroLogic. Tucker County 911 center rents a space on the tower allowing better communication for First Responders and Emergency personnel. The tower is designed to work even in the toughest weather conditions, thus making communication extremely more efficient for all.
Brad Moore addressed the Commission regarding needed funds for the Tucker County Culture District to help with the long list of projects the Culture District contributes to in the county. Since 2017 the Culture District has aided with numerous projects. The projects include the new welcome signs at five county entrances, gutters at the old train depot and art placed around the county. A lot of the art can be found in the county court rooms. Moore was asking for $30,000 and increase of $20,000 from the already allotted $10,000 in the commission’s budget. Moore stated in prior years the funding had dwindled because of COVID. The commission responded stating the Culture District’s funding came from the hotel/motel funding they received every year. With 50% of that funding already allocated out to other funds the remaining is spilt with the Culture District. The Commission has no way of knowing what amount of hotel/motel funding there will be until around mid-June of the year. Commissioners requested Moore come back at such time and address the board again.
The Commissioners unanimously voted to approve three new items listed on the agenda. The paving of the 911 parking lot with Diamond K Excavation, LLC being awarded the job. Diamond bid the job at $49,500 to be completed. The Commissioners have accepted a new County Animal Policy for County Buildings. The new policy will help in warding off any further damage done in the past by animals that were in city buildings. Camp Kidd Advisory Board will be receiving a new bank account. The new bank account will allow Camp Kidd to accept and disperse funds as needed. Camp Kidd has a new full-time maintenance employee that is currently cleaning up and getting the camp ready.
The Commissioner’s Board made appointments regarding other boards. Deborah Chapman, Michael Betler, and Jonathan Hicks were all re-appointed to the Parks & Recreation Board for three-year terms. Camp Kidd Advisory Board new members include Daniele Pennington (two-year term), Cindy Harsh (two-year term), Ryan Rosenau (one-year term), and Kevin White (three-year term). Wendy Wolford withdrew her application.
The next Tucker County Commission will meet again on February 23, 2022 at 4 p.m. in the courthouse courtroom at 211 First Street Parsons. The February 9 meeting has been canceled due to other conflicting scheduled events.