Bruner’s return brings commission to full strength

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BRENDA CONYERS
For the first time in several months, all three seats were filled when the Marion County Commission met for its weekly meeting Monday.



Jack Bruner, commissioner from Burns, had been absent for several weeks recovering from a stroke he suffered last summer.



In the midst of one vote during the course of the meeting, Commission Chair Linda Peterson said, “3-0…. It’s been a long time since I said that, and it’s pretty nice.”



The commission, after consideration, decided to turn George Gore’s request for a temporary land use permit back to the planning and zoning committee. It will be on the agenda this Thursday night.



Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker presented his weekly report to the commission and said things were “going well.”



Becker said the deputy staff was full, but there are currently two deputies in the academy, a dog in training and the only opening was for a jailer.



The sheriff explained the department had not actively looked for a jailer because a male dispatcher had been interested in the position. However, the dispatcher had just recently accepted a full time position as a Peabody police officer.



In other business, Maggard asked the commissioners what they wanted to do about retirement pins.



The pins were 14K gold with the county outline. At one time there were safety-pin-type clasps on the back, but those had been changed to a tie-tack back.



At this time, only one pin remains, and it will go Cliff Roberts, who retires this week.



Maggard had contacted the business from which the pins were purchased some years ago. But they have a “two year” rule which states if nothing more is ordered after two years, the original die cast will be destroyed.



Maggard then contacted Western Associates in Marion, who quoted a price of $625 for the new cast, and would need a minimum order of 25 pins at the cost of $20 per pin.



Commissioner Hein said, “I think we ought to continue this,” and made the motion. The motion carried.



The commission has received three letters of agreement to extend the existing contract with KC Development through the end of next year. Hillsboro, Marion and Durham have responded.



The city mayor and commissioner meeting is set for Nov. 28 at the Marion Senior Center.



One application for the Local Emergency Planning Committee was received from “Our Rescue Consultants” of Manhattan. Their proposal would cost $4,900 and the plan would not be completed until Sept. 30, 2001.



Peterson said the offer from Jacob Kovel, of University of Kansas, was a much more feasible offer. The professor had offered to oversee two graduate students as they wrote out the safety plan for a graduate project.



The project would begin at the beginning of the spring semester in January and be completed by May as their final project.



According to Peterson, Kovel would only charge for expenses, which might come to $1,000.



The commission agreed the graduate study offer would be more cost efficient and timely.

More from article archives
SIDELINE SLANTS
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JOE KLEINSASSER Larry Eustachy is a role model, and so...
Read More