Commissioners switch long-distance providers

Written by by Brian Huxman Tuesday, 08 February 2000 18:00

Marion County commissioners were offered a long-distance deal they couldn’t refuse at their Monday meeting. Aaron Marion County commissioners were offered a long-distance deal they couldn’t refuse at their Monday meeting. Aaron Bowyer of CGI Long Distance Service offered the county a flat rate of 6.6 cents per minute with no additional fees or set-up charges. Commissioners quickly compared the offer with one from a local business, then voted 3-0 to change the county’s long-distance service to CGI. “I think this sounds like a deal that is too good to refuse,” Commissioner Bob Hein said. The deal is expected to cut phone costs by more than $500 per month from the current deal through AT&T. The rate is guaranteed for at least three years, and can go down but not up. Billing will be broken down by department, which should make bookkeeping easier for county clerk Carol Maggard. In other action from the meeting: -- Lee Becker was sworn in as the new sheriff of Marion County. Following the ceremony, a short coffee-and-doughnut reception was held in the lobby of the courthouse. -- Commissioners took a 10-minute executive session to discuss legal issues with county attorney Dan Baldwin, but no action was taken when the public session resumed. -- Maggard introduced commissioners to the new keg tags and forms which will be required by businesses selling kegs in Marion County. -- Preferred Health told the county it will introduce new health insurance rates to the commission in the near future. It was also announced Blue Cross will present their rates to commissioners. Their plan will include a dental plan for the county at comparable rates. -- Sanitarian and Planning/Zoning Director David Brazil said the dump site he had earlier expressed concerns about had already been cleaned up by the Road and Bridge Department. He also requested the county begin working on updating its subdivision and landuse plan. He offered reports for the past year on zoning permits issued for construction. Those included housing (27), storage (9), garages (8), additions (6), sheds (5), fencing (2) and a school (1). Twelve agricultural exemptions were issued in 1999. Clint Anderson said his county appraisal department needed a new computer. A bid of $1,470 was approved for new system. -- County parks director Dale Snelling reported he has not received any bids on his electrical project. Snelling also said he would be open to the idea of organizing fireworks at the county lake for Fourth of July celebrations as long as those celebrations did not interfere with those at Peabody. “We have places fireworks can take place,” Snelling said. “I think it would be an interesting endeavor.” Snelling also reported that some individuals have been illegally snagging fish this winter, although nothing has currently been proven. -- Mark Tajchman, Route 3, Marion, complained about the County Road and Bridge Department’s work as it pertained to his property. He also cited what he considered to be a dangerous intersection on a half-mile road near his property. “My road should be closed the last fourth of a mile,” he said. “I could go 20 miles per hour down there, and if it is even a little icy, you go right on through. It’s just a terrible intersection.” He also claimed the Road and Bridge Department clipped bushes along his road without consent and left brush on his property. Gerald Kelsey, road and bridge director, denied the accusations but also said he would have the brush cleaned up if Tajchman wanted him to. -- Kris and Ellen Telford complained about how they were approached by Anderson for a final assessment on their property. “He needs to hold that like a final assessment should be held,” Peterson said. The commission said it would request Anderson redo the review with the couple present.