New technology to improve Marengo polling places

Probate Judge Laurie Hall Tuesday demonstrated to the Marengo County Commission the new electronic poll book that will be used next week during the primary election for the U.S. Senate race.

The commission approved the purchase of 12 poll books at its July meeting for use at the polling places that have the most voters. The rest of the needed poll books will be purchased before the mid-term elections in 2018.

Hall explained the new electronic system will eliminate the black book and the need for poll workers to write down each voter’s name. The system also will prevent voters from crossing party lines in the primary and runoff elections, she said.

Training for poll workers on the use of the new system already is underway.

Public comments took up most of the meeting as commissioners heard economic updates, concern over roads and a request for support for the Liberty Learning Foundation.

Paul and Kim Duhe, who moved to the county almost six years ago, expressed their concern over the condition of County Road 33 and asked when it would be repaired.

Kim Duhe said the “Band-Aid” approach to fixing the road hasn’t worked. Traffic cones have been set up at one spot, and traffic now is forced to one lane since the cones take up most of the roadway. The situation is especially critical since the site is on a hill.

“It makes my stomach hurt” at the thought of a head-on collision with a log truck,” she said.

County Engineer Ken Atkins said the cones had been moved since his crew placed them. He said they would be relocated. Work on the road cannot be done until the rains slack off, he added.

This year 750 students in second and fifth grades throughout the county will take part in the Liberty Learning Foundation program. LLF representative, Becky Saunders, told the Commission that the program now is in 45 Alabama counties and has been a part of the Demopolis school system for five years.

The program provides 12 weeks of lessons and support in sponsoring what Saunders called a “rock star approach to teaching civics.”

Total cost for the county students in $25,000, or $36 per child, she continued. The foundation, a non-profit organization, receives generous corporate funding but still needs local help.

“We want support from the community because it means so much to the children,” she said. The Liberty Learning program is a way to “teach, inspire and empower” future citizens of the United States “to be the next great Americans.”

Saunders asked the commission to consider financial support for county schools. Commissioners familiar with the program in Demopolis said it was a worthy program, and the Commission will consider including it in the budget for next year.

Economic Development Authority Chris Bontrager said during his first four months in the position he has been evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the office and how best to promote the city.

He revealed a new logo for the county that shows prospective businesses where Marengo County is located and said a new website is being developed that will provide links to local sites.

Bontrager said he has been talking with major industries in the county to find out their problems and concerns and solve some of their problems.

“It’s been very enlightening,” he said.

While new business recruitment is just getting started, one out-of-state prospect is excited about expanding to the county if internal conditions can be met.

The commission voted unanimously for a tax abatement for an expansion of Two Rivers Lumber Company as the initial construction is completed. Bontrager said the developers realized such expansion was in the fledgling company’s best interests.

The new project will add another 35 jobs, bringing the total to 90. It reflects a capital investment of $5.76 million. The abatement covers all non-educational taxes and all sales and use taxes on new equipment purchases.

In other action, the commission accepted the low bid of $6,485.52 from Phillip Myers to pressure wash the courthouse, annex and jail. Members also appointed Fred Moore to the West Alabama Mental Health board, filling the spot vacated by Al Garrett.

A budget hearing was set for Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 4:30 p.m.