Commission approves budget, views new Bookmobile

Marengo County Librarian Joyce Morgan with the county's new Bookmobile at the Marengo County Commission meeting in LInden on Tuesday, Sept. 13. (WAW | Jan McDonald)
Marengo County Librarian Joyce Morgan with the county’s new Bookmobile at the Marengo County Commission meeting in LInden on Tuesday, Sept. 13. (WAW | Jan McDonald)

Marengo County Commissioners took care of routine business matters quickly Tuesday before taking a short break to admire the new Bookmobile.

Librarian Joyce Morgan proudly showed off the van that is gaily wrapped in a colorful mural featuring a bookworm. “We’ve had so many comments off this,” she told commissioners.

In one route last week Morgan said she saw 25 people, 20 of whom checked out a total of 148 books. Commissioner Freddie Armstead joked that Marengo County may be the first one in the state that has home delivery.

As she thanked the commissioners for the funding, Morgan said that so many counties in the state don’t have the support of their commission like Marengo County has.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 was approved. The county estimates revenue of $16,814,308.27 and expenditures of $13,111,971.25. The remaining $3,702,337.02 will be restricted funds.

Marengo County Commission Chairman Dan England, left, presents a proclamation to Phillip Spence and Lee Belcher. Spence and Belcher represented the Marengo Memorial VFW Post 5377. (WAW | Jan McDonald)
Marengo County Commission Chairman Dan England, left, presents a proclamation to Phillip Spence and Lee Belcher. Spence and Belcher represented the Marengo Memorial VFW Post 5377. (WAW | Jan McDonald)

The Commission voted to vacate two roads in an undeveloped subdivision off County Roads 19 and 21. The roads never were built, and all adjacent property owners have agreed to the vacation.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall received the okay to temporarily relocate the voting site in Myrtlewood from the town’s center to the United Methodist Church. The move is necessary while repairs are being made to the center to fix water damage.

Commission Chairman Dan England read a proclamation recognizing Friday, Sept. 16, as POW/MIA Recognition Day by the VFW. Phillip Spence and Lee Belcher accepted the proclamation.

Belcher told the commission that two men perished during the Pearl Harbor attack 75 years ago. Norman Bragg Woolf went down with the USS Arizona. The second, Walter Henry Sollie, was on board the USS Oklahoma. More than 400 bodies recovered from the ship could not be identified until modern forensic methods were used on the remains. As a result, Sollie was positively identified.

Marengo Memorial VFW Post 5377 is working with distant family members to determine final internment or disposition of Sollie’s body.

In other action the commission voted unanimously to:

  • Accept the lowest bids on clay, liquid asphalt, corrugated metal, aluminized and plastic pipe, fuel and stone.
  • Tobacco Tax & EMA CD rate of .75 for six months with Sweet Water State Bank.
  • Accept the Grand Jury Report.
  • Approve the Alabama Department of Youth Services contract.
  • Approve the 2017 Grant Procedure and Agreement for Service for the Elderly.