Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, April 3, 2018
(BEDFORD) - The Lawrence County commissioners honored the hard work and dedication of county and city dispatchers Tuesday morning.
"They don't get enough credit for what they do behind the scenes," says Sheriff Mike Branham. "I would put our dispatchers up against any in the state."
Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer read a proclamation honoring the county and city 911 dispatchers declaring the week of April 8-14 National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
"The general public don't realize how important dispatchers are until they need one," Luchauer says. "These dispatchers are not into this for the pay, but because they care."
Police Chief Dennis Parsley says dispatchers do more than just answer phones.
"From a police officers stand point they are our lifeline," he added. "They find out what we're going into and then alert us with updates making it safer for the officer when entering a situation."
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The commissioners also honored astronaut Gus Grissom and the contributions he made to Lawrence County and the nation. Today is Grissom's birthday.
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Lawrence County Highway Superintendent David Holmes told the commissioners the county received $552,240 in federal transportation funds. Those funds will be used to replace road signs to meet the latest federal retro-reflective standards set by the Federal Highway Administration. Signs will be replaced in District 1. These funds will not replace road name signs.
The commissioners approved all 4 paving bids that were open at the last commissioners meeting.
Highway crews continue to patch potholes - when the weather cooperates.
"There was a big mud slide on Boone Hollow Road due to the rain and we have been dumping shot rock and making repairs in that area," Holmes added.
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The commissioners approved hiring Comprehensive Financial Consultants to be the vendor of record for county employee's retirement plans. There will be no change to employee's current plans.
"They will see the level of care improve," says Wayne Thacker of CFC.
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County Clerk Billie Tumey, presented the commissioners with a list of voting centers and a contract to pay election site workers.
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Lawrence County Tourism Director Tonya Chastain was granted permission to host a dinner on the historical William Covered Bridge.
The event will be held on September 8th. Tickets will be sold in advance.
More information on the event will be available at a later date.
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Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer reported she has 30 weather radios available free to those who are disabled, elderly, on a limited income or live in mobile homes.
Those wanting a radio can come to her office on County Complex Road.
Veterans Affair officer Brad Bough says disabled veterans who needs a weather radio can get one at his office in the lower level of the courthouse.
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The commissioners approved the $12,750 grant budget for the Juvenile Problem Solving Court.
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Sheriff Mike Branham reported there is 186 inmates in the jail this morning, of those 41 were female and 13 Level 6 felons.
The maintenance staff have been dealing with a major flooding issue in the jail.
On Monday, a large storm water drain pipe that runs under the jail split, flooding the jail with storm water.
"Water just came pouring into the jail," says Sheriff Branham. "I can't say enough about our maintenance crew. They were on top of things and continue to work on the problem today. First we have to figure out why the pipe split and then go from there on fixing or replacing it."
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