Welcome to the August 22nd Clay County Commission meeting update. With all three Commissioners present and around 20 some in the peanut gallery, action got underway promptly at 10am. We're only looking at a couple of the topics. As for all the hum drum estates, estate hearings and appointments to various committees, we've left that aside.
  Here goes...
  Showing up in force, members of the local VFW Post were on hand including one of the three remaining WW II members Gail Brown.
  At hand was a need for a VFW van. Post Head Honcho Joe Lanham told the CCC, they had found a use2012, 12 passenger van (owned by Phil Dobbins), in good shape, looked like new, and has a new battery installed for $14,000. Being such a good deal and according to Lanham, they went ahead and purchased the vehicle before this meeting.  With many present, their hands were out for some help.
  Commissioner Fran King lead the charge for the CCC to cover the entire cost plus handle insurance costs as well.
  In short order, the nod was given to cover the $14K. As for insuring the thang, they have to do some background checking on whether they can provide the funds since the van would be registered in VFW name. Our guess, the van will be registered in the Commission's name and everything will be fine for the insurance coverage in short order.
   Then came the need for  metal fencing around the proposed war memorial in front of the old Courthouse. The idea was to get the fencing in place before the Big Apple Fest.. for safety sake.
  Cost for the fencing is around $6200 with Lowe's handling the installation.
   Expect a fencing vote during the next meeting. Note: Don't expect the fence to be up before this year's Apple Fest.
   15 minutes into the meeting, the public was tossed out so the elected folks could do secret stuff. It was over something 911 dispatcher related.  In came the Prosecutor, then out went the Prosecutor, then came the Prosecutor carrying a couple law books. Out went Commissioner Davis Schoolcraft followed by his return. Out went 911 Head Honcho JD Johnson in search of an employee for talk time.
   Many stood around outside and waited and waited.... That crowd started peeling away. Around 11:20, this reporter did likewise.
  We don't know for sure but with the County's Commission's legal rep, Jim Samples, on hand, our best guess, the CCC is about to get sued again.
  Outside, reconstruction of Courthouse Square banged, clattered and rattled on. Man in the Hat Construction got the $147,764.91 bid to remove the old brick surface, benches, trees, lamp posts  and replace with new colored concrete along with one section (nearest the front entrance to have a stamped design. The old wawa fountain will not be replaced. Commissioner King provided, "something" will be put in place of the fountain.
AW