County sanitarian warns against West Nile Virus
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
David Brazil, county sanitarian, told Marion County Commissioners Monday that West Nile Virus remains a threat and steps should be taken to avoid contact with potential virus-carrying mosquitoes.
Brazil said 14,717 cases of the disease were reported in the United States in 2002. In Kansas, 793 cases were reported. No human deaths were blamed on the virus.
However, in Nebraska, he noted, there were 1066 cases reported and four human deaths.
The West Nile Virus is carried by mosquitoes. The disease is found most frequently in horses.
"I recommend that people vaccinate their horses and keep booster shots current," Brazil said. He noted it takes three weeks for an immunization to be effective.
He said standing water in tires and other containers should be disposed of. If that's not possible, a handful of rock salt will make it uninhabitable for mosquitoes, he added.
He said lagoons are not a problem if vegetation around them is properly maintained. He said wind movement keeps the water clear.
"The West Nile threat is worth paying attention to," he concluded.
Commissioners visited with Brazil about the contract with Bucher and Willis, writers of the Marion County comprehensive plan. Part II of the contract authorizes Bucher and Willis to write zoning regulations.
Wetta said he didn't like the contract as is, with two parts. He asked Brazil to go back to Bucher and Willis and seek to get two separate contracts or insert a clause in the present contract that would allow commissioners to void the second part, if so desired.
"We don't want to give away the hammer," he said.
C&D waste accepted
Commissioners accepted Brazil's decision as transfer station manager to continue to accept up to one cubic yard of construction and demolition waste from residents at no extra charge, the same as before the county took over operation of the station.
Brazil presented two bids for purchase of a used lawn mower for the transfer station, one from Heckendorn at Peabody for $1,850, and one from Straub International, Marion, for $2,500.
Brazil said he hadn't seen the mowers but wanted to begin mowing this weekend. After some discussion, commissioners voted to authorize Brazil to inspect the Heckendorn machine and purchase it if in good running order; otherwise, to move on to the other one and purchase it.
Treasurer Jeannine Bateman appeared before the commission to seek an upgrade in job descriptions in her department. She said employees who fit the present job descriptions need additional training to do their jobs.
Commissioners were hesitant to place more requirements on job applicants, such as more education or more experience, because that would require a raise in the pay scale. They also feared the request would spread to other departments.
"The economy is such that we should not be going wholesale in this direction," Wetta said. "We're not in a position to raise qualifications and raise the pay scale throughout the courthouse."
The other commissioners agreed. Wetta said Bateman should use her discretion in hiring people to determine their capabilities and abilities to be trained.
"So far, I've been lucky," Bateman said.
Commissioners approved purchase of a new Pitney-Bowes postal machine for the treasurer's office. It will cost $785 per month for the five years. The cost includes payment on the machine, maintenance, and meter rental. The current machine was costing $821 per month and frequently was breaking down, Bateman said.
"We saved some money," said Commissioner Bob Hein.
Noreen Weems of Department for the Elderly presented a concern posed by one senior center. She said someone told the senior citizens they had to sign a contract with a trash hauler to dispose of the one sack of trash they accumulate each month.
"It wasn't us," said Commissioner Leroy Wetta. "We have no say in how they dispose of it."
"We just operate the system," Commissioner Howard Collett added.
They noted that residents can dispose of it with their trash or they can bring it to the transfer station for free disposal.
County Clerk Carol Maggard reported that Kansas Department Of Transportation is paying $175 per sign to the county for removing and replacing "Wake Up To Marion County!" signs along highways under construction in the county. The two signs were at the north end of the county along U.S.-56/77 and at the east end of the county along K-150.
Commissioners received notice that the Kansas State Historic Site Board will be reviewing applications of two county sites for the Register of Historic Places. Amelia Park Bridge northeast of Antelope and Bichet School east of Florence will be considered May 10.
A history of the Bichet School can be found in the Nov. 13, 2002, issue of the Marion County Record. Amelia Park Bridge spans Clear Creek.
Commissioners reviewed and approved a contract with Mid-Continental for repair of the exterior of the courthouse using Heritage Trust Funds. No start date has been set at this time but the work is expected to be completed in about 60 days.
Fuel bids accepted were as follows: Areas one, three, and four — Cooperative Grain and Supply, 4,400 gallons, $4,048.96; Area 2 — Cardie Oil, 2,150 gallons, $1,994.13.
March warrants approved for payment totaled $559,400. Sales tax receipts in March totaled $31,616.62. That is $7,962.75 less than the amount received a year ago. To date, the county has received $7,635.24 less than a year ago.
