The White County Board and Carmi Township both held meetings last night. We didn’t have enough reporters available to cover the township meeting, but we’ll be following up with Pam Deig, the Township Supervisor to hopefully gain some insight as to any noteworthy action during that meeting.
The White County Board meeting was set to be covered last night, but due to an event beyond the reporters control, he wasn’t able to be there. We have heard that Charlie Mick has been hired as the County’s new White County Animal Control Officer as it was labeled on their agenda. Many had hoped Wayne Spicer, who had been contracted as the White County Animal Control Officer, would be hired back. Several folks jumped on social media following the meeting seemingly upset. However others who know Mick personally, quickly popped back in Charlie’s defense. Board member Ken Usery said he interviewed 4 total candidates and was the member to make the recommendation. McAnulty made the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Of note, it doesn’t appear Mr. Mick is on social media including facebook.
County Clerk Beth Sell reported she’d mailed out nearly 10,000 Voter ID cards to county residents. Doing so helps the Clerk get more updated addresses and to ensure residents are voting in the correct precincts. It also serves to inform the Clerk if folks have moved out of the county.
Ambulance Director Adam Allen reported that the Ambulance Service was forced to make a yearly payment for software at an investment of $8,900. Allen says it’s one of the larger payments they make annually. That expense was behind the Ambulance Service coming up in the red by an amount of $5,580.21 for July. Furthermore, Allen says the service has been operating with two crews throughout the week and have been able to pull in some transfers which he says helps offset the cost.
Highway Engineer Brian Ray says crews have been busy with projects since the weather was more cooperative during the month of July. Some of the work involved placing a box culvert on CR 2000 North and they’ve finished paving the south 3 ½ miles of Bel Air Road. Another patching contract with O’Daniel Trucking should be getting underway by the end of August. Additionally, Ray expects to be installing another box culvert on Broughton Road near Norris City and crews are also working on a bridge in Gray Township. Ray says he expects the dump truck should be in working order by winter.
County Board member Clint Spencer was nominated to sit on the committee for the Harmony Way Bridge once the President, Governors of Indiana and Illinois, and other elected officials sign off on the paperwork and are ready to get committees set up.
Chairman Donnie Puckett, who represents District 4, Ken Usery, of District 3 and the District 2 Board member Ron McAnulty will all be up for re-election if they seek it next year. We’ve heard reports that Puckett has decided against seeking another term.
