County?s new recycling program seems to be working, director says

The new Marion County recycling program for some types of materials may be working.

Rolling Schmidt, who directs the program, told the Marion County commissioners Monday the program appears to be working for the county?s smaller towns and school districts.

More people seem to be bringing recyclables to the containers moved in by Waste Management.

?But it?s really just to early to tell,? he said.

In the meantime, Schmidt, who also oversees the transfer station, said the county continued to haul waste to the landfill at an average cost of $38.78 a ton for the past month at a total cost of $22,950, and a total for the year of $171,540.

Schmidt said the county disposed of 516.5 tons of municipal solid waste, 1.18 tons of special waste, and 0.58 ton of tires for the month.

The commissioners noted that the bond issue payments for purchase and initial upgrading of the transfer station will soon be coming to an end, but they want to continue the $81 annual payment from county residents to upgrade the program as needed.

In the area noxious weed control, Schmidt said infestations of Johnsongrass and sericea lespedeza continue to spread despite efforts to eradicate the two plants. The John?son?grass especially will come back in areas already treated for years, he said.

A noxious weed bid for 25 gallons of Pathway herbicide and 25 gallons of Crossbow herbicide for $1,675 was awarded to Markley Service of Marion over competitive bids of $1,774 from Ag Service Inc. of Hillsboro and $1,825 from Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro.

Commissioner Dan Holub suggested Marion County perhaps should be lobbying and contributing to the campaigns of state legislators because it appeared the only people the legislators were listening to, regarding the TransCanada Keystone oil pipeline being exempted for 10 years for property taxes through counties including Marion, were lobbyists.

Commissioners Holub and Roger Fleming accepted the auditor?s report on the county budget in the absence of Commissioner Randy Dallke. The report cited various procedural problems.

Holub said he plans to personally conduct tours for the public through the second floor of the county health department building from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday so people can see the building?s problems.

Road and Bridge Supervisor Randy Crawford said county crane operators will have to be tested and certified under new federal rules by 2013.

He reported that chip-sealing on Nighthawk should be finished this week.

He said he hopes to take advantage of prices and availability of Buildex road surfacing material to acquire a stockpile of the substance this fall for spring use on 120th (Goessel Road).

The commissioners met in executive session for 10 minutes with Crawford.

The commissioners joined in signing a letter of support with Dickinson and Morris county commissioners for Tri-County Telephone in its bid with the Kansas Corporation Commis?sion and the Federal Communi?ca?tions Commission to supply broadband service to county residents.

Angie Schwerdtfeger, director of public relations for TCT, said the service is opposed by AT&T.

Schwerdtfeger said TCT, like many other small rural companies, is committed to providing service for rural customers despite distance and relative economic advantage.

Teresa Huffman, county economic development director, said she supported TCT?s request and its efforts to help improve life for rural residents.

Huffman met with the commissioners for 15 minutes in executive session to discuss personnel work performance. In public session, she described current work she is doing, such as participating in a Cowley County program on promoting agri-tourism.

The commissioners approved a $3,000 annual program with the Kansas Department of Com?merce for a rural opportunity zone designed to attract new college graduates to the area at a stipend of $1,500 each.

Gayla Ratzlaff, coordinator of the county?s Department on Aging, reported the Peabody Senior Center is still providing meals for Goessel?s senior center, but that may not be necessary in the future because the number of participants at Goessel is growing.

More from Hillsboro Free Press
Bluejay soccer men swept on the road
Tabor College men?s soccer endured a tough road schedule last week, enduring...
Read More