Coronavirus gets Commission’s attention

EMA Director Kevin McKinney had the attention of the Marengo County Commission Tuesday when he talked on the possible impact of the Coronavirus.

While no case has been reported in the state, 19 people remain in self-quarantine, he told Commissioners. Ten other Alabamians are among the passengers on board the cruise ship Grand Princess which was finally allowed to dock Monday in California.

No vaccine or cure is in sight, so county residents need to prepare for major disruptions in daily life should the virus hit, he said. Locally, that means protecting health care workers, first responders and others on the front line, such as teachers.

McKinney said the impact of the virus could be at its worse from three to six months after it hits. When possible, businesses might encourage employees to work from home to minimize exposure.

The EMA director also commented on two bills now in the Alabama legislature that could impact Marengo County. The first, co-sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, is an effort to designate one vendor to provide statewide notification of severe weather alerts. As it is now, different vendors are used by counties or cities.

The second is to designate safer shelters in communities for people to take refuge in the event of severe weather. The revenue-neutral bill does not spell out specific guidelines for the shelters. Only two safer shelters are designated in Marengo County: Whitfield Regional Hospital and the Marengo County Courthouse.

Aubrey Patterson again spoke to the Commission about the state of Red Oak Road, upset that the county’s insurance company had denied his $640 claim of damages to his wife’s car caused by the condition of the road.

“I’ve been complaining about the road for years,” said Patterson. “It’s tearing my car up.” Telling commissioners that patchwork repairs have not been effective, he said. “Our road is worse now that it’s ever been.”

Commission chairman Freddie Armstead sympathized with Patterson about getting the insurance company to reimburse him. “I don’t know what to tell you. You’ve done everything you needed to do.”

Commissioners said they would try to help Patterson once the heavy rains end and the road dries out.

In other business, the Commission voted to take out an ad for $1,709 in the June issue of Business Alabama magazine. Hal Cain, representative of the magazine, told the members the magazine will spotlight Marengo, Hale, Sumter and Greene counties and probably will focus on healthcare, education, work force and “movers and shapers.”

Also approved was a revision to the Tax Abatement Resolution for Alabama Pellets, LLC.

Probate Judge Laurie Hall said the primary election went well and the county is ready for the runoff election March 31.