Dalke challenges candidates to be ‘considerate and cautious’ when conversing with county employees

Marion County Commission Chairman Randy Dallke Monday asked candidates running for election to commissioner positions in November to be more considerate and cautious in how they attempt to talk to county department heads.

Dallke said some department heads feel they are being put in jeopardy by being asked to criticize commissioners they are working for, while other persons might be commissioners in the future.

They should feel free to do their work, Dallke said.

The commissioners agreed with a planning committee decision to leave a Flint Hills terrain area east of U.S. Highway 77, and north of U.S. Highway 50 as open to future wind turbine development.

Wind turbine developer Bruce Barton said granting wind farms was more difficult when there were only two in Kansas, but is more standard now with 25 established in the state.

The commissioners asked Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman to proceed with funding from South Kansas Economic Development for a low to moderate income area by seeking required architectural bidders for planning that involves rubble of the old school building in Florence.

They followed advice from Planning Director Emma Tajchman and the zoning board for reopening of an old rock quarry east of U.S. 77 on 290th.

They allowed division of an existing house location with 1.2 acres to go with the house with the remainder of the five acres required for zoning to go with an adjoining farm waterway, provided there is an easement that would allow future construction of a sewage lagoon to go with the house.

The commissioners allowed another six months for cleanup of salvage materials from lots on First Street in Lincolnville by a person who leases the property, but they want the owners of the property to come see them.

The commissioners accepted a bid of $600 from Robert Morse for purchase of a 1992 Dodge from Marion County Lake over four competitive bids.

Commissioner Lori Lalouette and Dallke favored allowing larger pontoon boats on Marion County Lake in daytime hours until Jan. 1, 2018, with Commissioner Dan Holub contending that the lake was developed for small boats and Marion Reservoir exists for larger crafts.

The commissioners approved a noxious weed chemical bid of $3,674.50 for 50 gallons of Pathway chemical and 50 gallons of Crossbow chemical from CPS Co. over a competitive bid of $3,732.50 from Van Diest.

They also approved a road and bridge transport fuel bid of $13,810 from Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro over a competitive bid of $13,924 from Cardie Oil Inc. of Tampa.

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