Marquez to vote on joining ESD #3

Commissioner Joey Sullivan presided over last week’s commissioner’s court since Judge Byron Ryder was lobbying in Washington. Van’Go’photo Commissioner Joey Sullivan presided over a brief meeting of the Leon County Commissioners on Wednesday morning, February 24. Judge Byron Ryder was in Washington, DC lobbying for some grant monies. The opening ceremonies included a prayer by Jim Grable of North Creek Baptist Church.

Elections administrator Robin Shafer notified the commissioners that the City of Marquez is beginning the process to hold an election to join themselves to ESD #3. When the emergency services district was originally created, the citizens of Marquez had voted against it and now find themselves "an island with no ambulance service". A petition is now being circulated to allow them to vote on the issue again.

Sheriff Jerry Wakefield handed out a hefty racial profile report. The statistic show that in 2008 there were 127 warnings and 203 citations. In 2009 the department issued 313 warnings and 1232 citations. "Broken down by race, they seem to be in line and meet all require- ments showing that we are not racially profiling any certain race." Sheriff Wakefield summed up. The report was accepted.

Looking down the road toward the creation of the Leon County Expo Center project, the court granted permission for the Auditors' office to begin negotiations with Apex Geoscience, Inc. to do soil sampling in the proposed area.

Auditor Susan Pugh presented a request from the Sheriff's office for her to apply for a Criminal Justice Division Funds grant. $91,350 is available and would be designated primarily for the purchase of patrol vehicles, video cameras and radar units. The commissioners pointed out that grants are a way to steadily improve the department and keep the staff in safe vehicles without using local funds, then voted to authorize Pugh to pursue the grant.

Financial matters including the approval of line item transfers totalling $17,900+. Commissioner Dean Player proposed selling one Mack tractor and purchasing two used tractors for Precinct 4.

Other routine action taken by the commissioners included: - approving a request from the Nichols family for the use of the old Courthouse, grounds and gazebo for a wedding in July; - approving the use of the courthouse square for a fish fry benefitting Relay for Life, hosted by the Cowboy Church on March 27; - approving the use of the Old Courthouse' courtroom for a "meet the candidate" forum on February 25. - approved a road use agreement with Ellis Timber for CR 114 in Precinct #1.

Before closing, Commissioner Player publically commended the dispatchers at the sheriff's office for the job they were doing, which has been especially stressful during the recent winter storms. Also referring to the storms, Commissioner Sullivan asked for residents' patience as the county crews try to fix the problems on local roads. "This ice has made a lob-lolly of several good roads. We'll be working on it, but every time it gets dry enough and warm enough TO work on 'em, it rains again!" he pointed out.