By Gary Stuber
The Clay County Commission met Tuesday, Oct. 15, for their first regular meeting of the month. They met on a Tuesday because Monday was a federal holiday. The next meeting will be on Monday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. The Commission also set the time and date for the next Commission meeting in November. They will meet again on Tuesday, Nov. 12, because Monday is a federal holiday, with the time adjusted to 8 a.m. They need to meet early because by law they will be doing a canvas at 10 a.m. of the votes from the General Election taking place on Nov. 5. The Commission reminded those present that early voting begins on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Early voting takes place at the courthouse at the County Clerk’s office and workers will be able to help those unfamiliar with the new voting machines. Weekday hours will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early voting ends on Saturday, Oct. 2.
All three Commissioners were present. It was noted that while Terry Martin was not present he sent word that the Grassy Fork Water Extension was fully funded and details would be forthcoming. The Commission took care of routine county business approving bills and invoices; purchase orders and budget revisions; and probating wills and final estates. They approved the appointment of Frank Land to the Public Service District, and approved the fourth payment for the Clay County Judicial Annex. The Commission had only one snag. They proposed the final payment for the purchase of property from O.V. Smith. This is the old property where RT Sizemore’s IGA and parking lot stood. $110,000 for a prime piece of downtown Clay, and it is contiguous to the Annex and the Courthouse. It could be the perfect place for parking for county workers in both buildings, as well as parking for people doing business at those places.
However. Commissioner Connie Kinder objected. She reminded the Commission that they recently turned down a request for people on Pumpkin Ridge at Procious who wanted water. They were told the Commission was out of money. She said, “Now we have money to buy this property, this is not fair to these citizens.” Commissioner Joyce Johnson argued it was an opportunity with a deadline and others could buy the space the county desperately needed. She said this was ARC funding and some of it was spent to finish the Annex. Both Joyce and Commissioner David Schoolcraft said the Annex is not finished and some money is being reserved. They would address the Pumpkin Ridge water issue when they see what they have left. Connie said it should be put back on the agenda. David countered that they should wait till the Annex is finished. Connie voted no on buying the lot. But the other two Commissioners were the majority and voted to make final payment on the lot.
The Commission then adjourned without asking if any in the room had more business. Magistrate Jeff Boggs, who was sitting in the back, asked to address the Commissioners, and inquired as to if the Commission had consulted with anyone about the windows of the old courthouse. He said the windows were so dirty he cannot see out of them, and they had not been cleaned in many years. Commissioner Johnson said she did not. Commissioner Schoolcraft said, “The last time I checked on cleaning the windows they said they would not as the wooden frames are so fragile they risk the glass coming out.” He said several windows were all boarded up due to this reason. He said they could not help him. The magistrate asked about shrub trimming as well, and was told that shortly a fence will replace the shrubs and it would be a waste to trim them now as they would shortly be dug out. Audience member Jerry Stover then made a comment that the Clay County Historical Society is trying to take possession of this old courthouse to turn it into a Clay County Historical Museum and have thousands of dollars of Clay County historical relics stored there already. Jerry said, “We cannot lose this historical building. The windows are indeed very fragile. They can’t be replaced. This glass is not made anymore. We need to restore these windows before we lose them. We need to fix these frames. I wish the Commission could see what a treasure this is for the residents of this county. We must save it while we still can.”
