County Approves Fix for Ambulance
Glasscock County commissioners on July 14 took steps to remedy problems with an anemic ambulance engine that has plagued Emergency Medical Service volunteers for several years. The existing patient compartment will be remounted onto a new Ford F350 Power Stroke diesel chassis and cab. Neil Carroll of Comanche will do the work at a cost of $44,530, approximately $15,000 less than the cost of an all-new ambulance. The old chassis and cab, with 20,000 miles, will be kept and used for other purposes.
The county will also purchase Opticon Activation Systems for both the Garden City and St. Lawrence ambulances for $658 each. These systems change red traffic lights to green when within a half block distance, so that ambulances don’t have to stop at lights. EMS volunteers Allen Jansa, Mitchell Jansa, Linda Avery and Galen Schwartz were present at the commissioners’ meeting.
Commissioners again discussed a new courthouse roof and were shown two samples of metal roofing material from roofer Kirby Hartmann. However, no bid from Hartmann was available, and there was no indication of whether the state historical commission would approve either of these materials for a possible future restoration. No action was taken regarding the roof.
County Judge Wilburn Bednar complimented the Glasscock County Historical Committee on the veterans’ memorial and flagpole, which have now been installed on the northwest corner of the courthouse square.
Local SWCD Asks County for Donation
Allen Jansa and Hubert Frerich met with the court as representatives of the Glasscock County Soil and Water Conservation District to ask that the county make a donation to that organization. The SWCD is a non-profit agency that facilitates and assists Natural Resource Conservation Service programs and sets local priorities. Jansa said the district gets no state funding other than that necessary for technical planning and assistance. He said the district hopes to raise enough money through county and business donations so it can avoid sponsoring a fund-raising event. Donations are matched by the state, dollar for dollar, up to $4,400.
Jansa said the SWCD doesn’t charge for its services, and asks for no donations from agricultural producers. He said he is well aware that the program has had difficulties in the past, and folks may not have been happy with it, but said, “We are trying to turn things around, and we’re getting it done.” Frerich said producers should not hesitate to ask for NRCS help, in spite of past experiences. The court asked for more information regarding the SWCD’ s operating expenses before deciding whether to donate.
Precinct Four Polling Place Changes
The county court officially changed Precinct Four’s polling place from the Methodist Church to the Senior Citizens’ Center.
In other action, the court approved a letter to be sent to state legislators opposing redistricting, voted to donate $250 to the Howard-Glasscock Old Settlers Reunion and left vehicle registration fees unchanged.
Election judges were appointed as follows: Precinct One, Ann Hoelscher, Precinct Two, Doris Schwartz, Precinct Three, Kim Hillman and Precinct Four Maritha Blalock.
The commissioners discussed building a shade cover for the shooting sports area located on county-owned property near the west dump site. They discussed used county sheet metal which is now stored, and donated pipe. No action was taken.
The county court’s next regular meeting is Aug. 11 at 9 a.m. upstairs in the courthouse. All meetings are open to the public.