No butts at the county courthouse?
Judge disapproves of leaving back door open to allow smokers to cool off outside while puffing
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Plans are to make the Cherokee County courthouse grounds smoke-free. Commissioners discussed how to solve the problems created by smokers at the courthouse doors when they met Monday morning in the county courtroom.

County Judge Chris Davis complained about cigarette butts in the flower pots and persons entering the handicap door through smokers sitting outside the courthouse.

"When I first came to work here I found the back door was propped open with a large rock. I thought about senior citizens leaving their hot homes to come to pay their taxes and finding cool air from the courthouse going outside," Judge Davis said. "I don't think this is a good situation."

Other places are smoke free, he said. The state hospital and the prison do not allow smoking, Judge Davis said.

A proposal will be written and approved at the next meeting. The proposal will provide for enforcement of the policy. The ban on smoking inside the courthouse was enacted in 1999.

In another matter, commissioners refused to pass a motion allowing County Tax Collector Linda Beard to employ an extra employee. Ms. Beard told the court she had not replaced an employee who resigned last year. "I would like to fill that position and the position being created by the resignation of another employee," she said.

The replacement of the resigning employee is budgeted and she will be able to replace that person.

A bid for $354,552.63 from Lone Star Equipment Co. Inc. of Henderson was approved for seal coating county roads.

The purchase of liability insurance was approved for a fly-in at the Cherokee County Airport, provided the $800 cost is provided.

Commissioner Byron Underwood, Pct. 4, was authorized to help the City of Reklaw with patch work on roads.

Commissioners approved an approximate $50 increase in the fee for on-site sewer facilities permit fees in all categories except commercial.

Brent DeDear discussed terms of an oil and gas mineral lease between Cherokee County and J.M. Exploration Co., LLC. The commissioners accepted the terms and will be paid a $150 bonus and one-fifth royalties, plus a $1,043.40 leasing bonus.

The consent agenda approved include the AgriLife extension office monthly report, plats for lots one and two of lot one in the Little Vallanova subdivision and plat for the Adams Church subdivision.

Attending the meeting were Judge Davis, Commissioners Mary Gregg, Kevin Pierce, Moody Glass III and Mr. Underwood; County Clerk Laverne Lusk; and County Auditor L.H. Crockett.