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Board
Takes No Action on Chief Deputy's Request
Permission
Sought to Use Off-Duty Deputies for
Railroad Security |
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by
Scotty Wampler
News Editor
No
action was taken Monday on a request by the sheriff's
department to allow deputies to patrol for Norfolk/Southern
Railroad on scheduled off-days.
Chief
Deputy Alan Honaker asked the board of supervisors for
permission to allow the railroad company to pay Buchanan
County for the services of two deputies on a continuing
basis. The county, he said, would then reimburse the
deputies directly.
Honaker
said allowing deputies to work specifically around railroad
property on their off-days wouldn't require the county to
provide overtime compensation for the officers, as the
company itself would be covering all costs. Additionally, he
said, officers interested could be given the opportunity to
earn extra money.
Some
members of the board, however, were not immediately prepared
to sign off on the idea.
"I
just don't like to see our law enforcement involved in
private security," South Grundy Supervisor Roger Rife
said, asking Honaker why the company couldn't hire its own
security. Honaker stated the railroad wanted officers with
law enforcement powers, not just security personnel, who
would ultimately contact the sheriff's office, anyway, in
the event of a criminal incident.
For more of the story,
see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at
newsstands now. For more information on how to
subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123
today.
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Permitting Process
Questions Raised After Culvert Request Made
Commonwealth's
Attorney Asks Board For Budget Help
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by
Scotty Wampler
News Editor
A proposal to
install a drain pipe on Kershaw Branch at Guesses Fork was met with
opposition from one resident Monday.
Big
Sandy Soil and Water Conservation District chairman Bobby Hall told
the board of supervisors during its regular meeting this week he has
a certified engineering design prepared for the installation of a
culvert on Kershaw Branch. Asking for board approval, he said he had
gone through several different phases of getting guidance on the
matter.
But
one Knox District resident, also attending the meeting, said he felt
the county had spent too much money on the road in question to risk
it being washing out by an overflowing drain.
"My
main concern is property damage, county road damage, or even
death," said Jerry Hall, who also claimed the road has been
flooded four times since the 1970s. "It has happened
before."
According
to Jerry Hall, Buchanan County has spent over $50,000 on
improvements to the road.
"I'd
just like for you all to look at the situation," he said.
"I do think we need to get some guidelines in this county to go
by. We've spent over $50,000 on this road. It's the first time it's
been paved all the way to the head of the hollow."
South
Grundy Supervisor Roger Rife question who has permitting power to
resolve similar issues. Assistant County Attorney Lee Moise said the
county planning commission has some authority in regards to the
existing flood ordinance, but lack of manpower presents an obstacle.
"We
really need to decide, when a question comes up, who they go
to," Rife said of residents who have questions about the
legality of constructing such structures in and around county
streams.
For more of the story,
see the print edition of the Mountaineer, on sale at
newsstands now. For more information on how to
subscribe to the Mountaineer, call 276-935-2123
today.
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