The Claiborne County Commission met to consider a short agenda on March 21. Twenty of the twenty-one commissioners were present. After adding several items to the agenda, the council approved the minutes of last month's meeting, county reports, and the re-appointment of notaries public and notary bonds.
The council held the second reading of a resolution adding the J.D. Keck Lane to the county road list (approved) and held a brief discussion of the 2003 Tax Aggregate Report (also approved).
The council also approved the appointment of the following individuals to the Claiborne County Agricultural Committee: Elizabeth Harmon, Jim Shipley, Dennis Estes. Appointments to the Solid Waste Regional Planning Board were also approved without dissent. Roger Smith (county), Randy Pratt (New Tazewell), and Roger Whitaker (Cumberland Gap) were formally appointed to this board.
Local Attorney, David Stanifer was given the floor to ask the council for consideration of a new connector road linking the Lone Mountain area to US 25E. He expressed his thanks for the members of the community who came out to voice their support for the project but acknowledged that discussion of a connecting road was premature due to delays on US 25E construction.
Councilman Dennis Estes's Resolution 248 to establish the Budget Committee for Budget year 2005-2006 passed after being modified to allow the budget committee to select its own chairman. Councilman Bill Brooks's Resolution 249 authorizing the County Mayor to advertise for bids to repair the old courthouse gutters and downspouts passed unanimously. Resolution 250, dealing with current year budget amendments, was tabled till next month to allow time for further review.
Added to the agenda was a discussion led by the Reverend Joy McCoy from the Union County American Legion Post. Mr. McCoy was leading an effort to establish a formal American Legion Honor Guard that will support the funerals of veterans who are buried in Union, Claiborne, and Grainger County. The Honor Guard will consist of twenty-one uniformed individuals who will perform the ceremonial duties (folding and presentation of flag to the next of kin, firing the last salute, and playing taps) associated with a veteran's burial. He reported to the Claiborne County Commission that Union County had made a one-year, $5,000 budget commitment for purchase of uniforms and equipment and was seeking a similar commitment from Claiborne County. Several commissioners expressed support for the endeavor and a motion was made to consider the request at next month's meeting.
A second item added to the evening's agenda dealt with approval of a budget amendment for the Sheriff's Department. The Sheriff's Department requested approval to spend $4,506 from the department's undesignated drug fund monies to complete installation of a dedicated line used to transmit fingerprints to Nashville for analysis. This request was approved unanimously by the commissioners.
The final item of business for the evening was recognition of county road employee Mike Brogan for his excellent work in erecting the new speed limit signs in the vicinity of Cumberland Gap High School.
The County Commission adjourned shortly after 8:00 P.M.
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