Emergency responders thanked for ice-storm work

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 19 December 2007 07:57

Commission Chairman Randy Dallke officially commended emergency personnel and volunteers at the Marion County Commission meeting Monday for their actions in last week’s ice storm that he said left 800 electric poles down, affecting the northern part of the county.

The commissioners also discussed the community building in Lincolnville still in use as a place for people to get warm, eat and use restrooms, with much of that area still without electricity.

Dallke had Sheriff Lee Becker and Communications and Emergency Management Director Michelle Abbott-Becker come in for the public commendation that he said often included going door-to-door to make sure people were OK.

Dallke said, “I’d just like to thank these two for the kind...

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Marion council approves shelterhouse for city park

Written by Jerry Engler Wednesday, 19 December 2007 07:52

The Marion City Council Monday approved building a new shelterhouse in Central Park with memorial funds for Mark Applegate designated by his family for that purpose.

City Administrator David Mayfield said the shelterhouse would be the first one for the north end of the park, setting northeast of the gazebo near the horseshoe pits. He said that would make it family friendly with close access to playground equipment.

With the family’s permission, Mayfield said he would put the $15,000 in memorial funds into the city’s capital improvement fund to use city non-tax status for the improvement.

He hopes to raise the remaining portion of the $19,820 building through a grant for wheelchair accessibility.

The council once more gave Davey...

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Commissioners consider future projects on the horizon

Written by Jerry Engler Thursday, 13 December 2007 02:49

The Marion County Commis­sion Monday seemed to move toward a new era for 2008 with discussions on proposed cabins at Marion County Lake, different solid waste practices and possible county-wide building codes.

Holub reported that private investors likely will spend $8,500 to $15,000 each on about 10 cabins to begin with. He said Corps of Engineers standards offering 25 years lease of public land for such investors is necessary to help them come out on investments.

Investors could be offered lease renewals at 17 to 18 years to give time to work out any disagreements, he said.

Holub described the wooden cabins as built on cement slabs with accommodations anywhere from queen-sized beds with bunk beds to those including kitchens to camp...

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Property owner appears for condemned-building hearing

Written by Michelle Avis Thursday, 13 December 2007 02:46

The Florence City Council held a special meeting before the regular Dec. 3 meeting for the condemnation hearing of the 1885 Hill School and the former high school buildings.

A few public comments were heard. People said the buildings have been broken into, fires have been started and the Hill School flooring was rotted and had collapsed in some areas.

“I hate to see us lose a landmark, but I don’t see any alternatives,” said Judy Creamer of the Florence Ambulance Depart­ment.

The council decided the buildings should be officially condemned, giving the city legal authority to compel the owner to take responsibility for the repair or demolition.

Property owner Karen Hastings of El Dorado had been served notice of the meeting by...

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