County Commission tables Marengo BOE request

Marengo County commissioners tabled a request by county school superintendent Dr. Luke Hallmark to manage a room previously controlled by the Marengo County Extension office in the courthouse annex building.

In the meantime, as suggested by Commissioner Calvin Martin, Hallmark will be given a key to the room for use by the county school board during meetings and other functions.

Commissioner Freddie Armstead objected to the wording in a letter by Hallmark stipulating that the school board would have control of the entire second floor of the annex where it now is located.

Hallmark stated he would reword the letter, offering to manage the room instead of having control of it. In the past the school board would ask the Extension office for use of the room since its own boardroom is too small.

In other action, Ken Atkins, county engineer, received approval for two provisional employees to be hired as full-time workers.

He also said there is frustration among some county residents that roadwork through the federal Rural Assistance Matching Program (RAMP) is taking so long.

“When you’ve got federal dollars, you go by their rules,” he said. “You cannot speed it up whatsoever.”

The main priority is a bridge on County Road 38, he continued. An abutment failed, limiting use to one lane.

In other action the Commission voted unanimously to:

• Approve a resolution honoring Charles Tucker for 47 years of service with the Marengo County Rescue Squad.

• Appoint the commission chairman and vice chairman to the Rehab Board and have a standing policy that the two officers continue to serve on a rotating basis.

Chairman Michael Thompson announced that Congresswoman Terri Sewell will host a meeting in the large courtroom on Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m.