PINEVILLE — Several members of the community showed up in Bell County Fiscal Court on Tuesday morning to inquire about getting improvements to a cemetery road. They said that the 360 foot long Upland Cemetery Road, located in the Blackmont community, needs to be black-topped.

First District Magistrate Rick Cornett, who introduced the issue to the court, said that the cemetery board met and approved the order for it to be done over a year ago.

“Folks, we’re trying to get it,” said Cornett, addressing the citizens concerned about the road. “I think if we can get the Judge’s consent on this, it will get done. Three-hundred and sixty feet is not that far. And I know that you take so much pride in your cemetery. I appreciate you being here and helping me help you. And now let’s see if we can get [Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock] to help.”

Brock responded to Cornett.

“I don’t appreciate the way Rick’s trying to imply that you’re being ignored. This will be the first that I have heard of it,” said Brock. The Judge said that he had never seen the order that Cornett said was approved.

Brock explained to the concerned citizens that the decision was up to the cemetery board:

“If the cemetery board writes us an order that they want to extend those funds or a portion of those funds on that road, it is not a matter of me deciding,” said Brock. “All we have to do at that point is go and put the black top down... If the cemetery board writes the order for us to do it and agrees that they’ll use their funds to do it, then our part as the county is to provide... the equipment and the labor. They buy the materials and we put it down. It’s that simple.”

Brock said that because of turnover with cemetery board members, it’s been difficult for the board to achieve a quorum. He said Magistrates will have a special called meeting very soon to appoint new members so the order can be voted on.

Citizens Connie Jones and Sarah Miracle asked the court to consider widening Ridge Road in Middlesboro so a school bus could safely travel on it.

“I agree with every word you’ve said, but it’s unfortunate we won’t have (the money)... It’s a matter of money in order to get it where you can fix the problem,” said Brock.

He said he’d already spoken with Bell County Superintendent George Thompson about the issue and that everyone was in agreement that the road needs to be widened. Jones said a private party in the community might be able to do the job. Brock said the county could lend support to that private party if that happened.

The real property tax rate for 2009 was voted to stay at 11.3 cents per $100 of assessed value; the 2009 personal property tax will stay at 14.9 cents; and the 2010 rates for motor vehicles and watercraft will remain at 14.9 cents. The court voted to record the 2009 tax rates set by the Bell County Health Department, which for real property was 3.9 cents per $100 of assessed value and for personal property was 3.9 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Irma Brooks was appointed to serve as county treasurer through June 30, 2011 at $31,520 per year effective September 3.

The following personnel decisions were made: Karen Sinkhorn in the treasurer’s office was changed to payroll clerk at $9.50 an hour; Adam Wilson was changed from full-time to part-time EMT; Shane Scott was hired as part-time in the animal shelter at $7.25 an hour.

Lawson Lane was accepted into the county road system in District 2. The Jessee Adkins Road Extension was accepted in the road system in District 1.

Brock praised the Bell County Sheriff’s Department audit, which came out clean. The court accepted $27,197.10 from Sheriff Bruce Bennett.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.