JeffersonFriday, February 22, 2019JournalVol. 12 number 30 county 75¢ +tax ECBPUBLISHING . COM County still moving towards Malloy Landing purchase Lazaro Aleman That property is Malloy Landing, Commission recently approved an Thursday evening, Feb. 7, the ECB Publishing, Inc. traditionally a recreational spot that application for a grant to pay for a property's appraised value proved gives access to the Wacissa River via portion of the property's purchase much lower than expected. Jefferson County officials are the Little River and that residents price, with the rest to come from the “Forty-five thousand was the taking steps to fast-track the purchase once enjoyed the use of, until a board BP settlement funds and possibly appraised value,” Reams said, adding of a property in the southern part of decision in 2010 closed asset to the some county money. that the county was constrained by the county that they have long been site. As Clerk of Court Kirk Reams this number. “We're asking for a eyeing and that once was at the center In pursuit of the landing's informed the commission at the $22,500 grant from the Land and See PURCHASE page 3 of a heated controversy. purchase, the Jefferson County public hearing on the issue on Repaving on the way Elections office to relocate Lazaro Aleman ECB Publishing, Inc. The elections office's move from its present location on Dogwood Street to the government complex on Walnut Street could happen as soon as this summer. July, in fact, is the target month for the relocation. Clerk of Court Kirk Reams recently raised the issue before the Jefferson County Commission on behalf of Elections Supervisor Marty Bishop, who generally avoids the limelight. Reams said he was speaking on behalf of Bishop at the latter's request. Bishop, Reams said, wanted it known that he needed more and better quality space, not only to house his operation but also to conform with voting laws. ECB Publishing Inc. Photo By Laz Aleman, Feb. 12, 2019 Reams noted that one of Bishop's main The city has plans to repave Pearl Street, which badly needs repair. This section of the road near objections to the current setup, aside from its Cherry St. is particularly bad. inadequate space, is that it is limited to one doorway, which forces voters to ingress and egress Pearl Street slated at the same place. By law, Reams said, voters who have cast ballots should not have contact with for repaving voters about to vote to avoid even the semblance of the former influencing the latter. Reams said the less than ideal situation had Lazaro Aleman Wingate couldn't ECB Publishing, Inc. say the exact been tolerated so far because of the circumstances amount of the and lack of other available space, but it was It’s nowhere near imminent, but one of grant, as it had yet becoming increasingly intolerable. Monticello's worst street is set for repaving later to be revealed. The “His operation is simply running out of room,” this year or early next year at the latest. city, he said, had so Reams said. “Everything is now on pallets in the The street is Pearl, which is particularly rough far been approved for the engineering and design basement, because it floods and there is mold down at the intersection with Cherry Street, an area so phase of the project. But typically, he said, such there.” broken up and repeatedly patched that it resembles projects were funded to the tune of $150,000 to Another problem, said Commissioner Stephen a concrete quilt. $200,000. Fulford, was that Bishop was about to get new City Manager Steve Wingate recently told the Wingate said he had received notification from state-mandated voting machines and the new Monticello City Council that the city has been the Florida Department of Transportation, which equipment wouldn't fit in the current space. The awarded a Small Cities Outreach Program (SCOP) oversees the SCOP funding, that the city should machines, in fact, were too big to come through the grant to resurface the street from Mulberry Street on proceed with the project before June. door, he said. See REPAVING page 3 See RELOCATE page 3 the west to Railroad Street on the east. More school bus problems Lazaro Aleman and “six or seven deputy cars and alongside the road far from her house. ECB Publishing, Inc. an ambulance” were around it. The woman said she had feared for “There was a fight on the child's safety, given the traffic on Complaints about alleged poor the bus,” the woman said. the road. She told also of a person service by the company that provides “There have been allegedly smoking pot in a bus, and a bus transportation to students in the problems on bus driver who refused to drive on Jefferson County School District, or this bus for dirt roads. more specifically Somerset School, years.” Washington wondered when the animated a School Board discussion district was going to do something last week. about the transportation problems. The extemporaneous discussion She asked if it was going to take a started when School Board child getting killed or injured before Chairwoman Shirley Washington someone would act? invited a member of the audience to She School Superintendent Marianne share her thoughts on the told also of Arbulu turned to School Board transportation system. The woman, seeing an elementary Attorney Tom Reeves. who never identified herself by name, school girl running “What is our recourse?” Arbulu told about witnessing an incident on alongside US 19 on another asked. WPA Road where a school bus had occasion because the bus driver had Reeves suggested that the district See BUS PROBLEMS page 3 been pulled off at the side of the road allegedly dropped the child off INSIDE VIEWPOINTS 2 TV WEEKLY 8 Did you know? Weather OBITUARIES 4 FOOD, FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT 9 In 1996, Dreamworks animators who for this COMMUNITY NEWS 4-6 SCHOOL 10-12 were failing at their work on Prince of CRIME 6 FARM & OUTDOORS 13 Egypt were punished by being weekend HISTORY 7 CLASSIFIEDS & LEGALS 14 sent to work on Shrek. 2 • JEFFERSON COUNTY JOURNAL • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019 Deb’s Notes Drop a note to: [email protected] Happy Birthday today to Mike Sims and Bentley Braswell! Happy Birthday also to Sut Viewpoints & Opinions Wimberly. He is 99 today! A St. Patrick's Day public meeting and Reporter’s Corner: dinner will be held on Thursday, March 14 at the Monticello Opera House, and it's open to the community, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This annual In defense of small-town news I hear it more frequently People who are astounded that small towns stay event is a scholarship fundraiser sponsored by the than you'd imagine – in busy obviously don't know that small town parades Jefferson County Democratic Executive doctor's offices, from family are as looked-forward-to as festivals and take place Committee for a Jefferson County Student. This is friends I've known for years, on almost every national holiday; or that small the sixth year of awarding even professionals in other town communities are bustling with interesting college scholarships to fields. people who all carry their own life stories, talents, Jefferson County It's definitely a joke, purely skills, and adventures. students. Guest speaker jest on their part, but it While big-city newspapers feature news of will be Dr. Edward Ted Ashley Hunter always turns my mind in what's happening in the senate or congress, or what Duggan. He will speak on Columnist thought. new celebrity has been accused of some misdeed – 'The Big Tent Democratic The comment is usually you'll find simpler tales in a small town newspaper. Party: The Way Forward.' brought forth when they ask what I do for a living, A local author has published a biography of a He currently teaches and I tell them – quite proudly too – that I write for local hero, a local business is giving back to the two local newspapers in Monticello. community, a local civic group is sending local political science and “There's enough happening in Monticello for students to college, a local school is growing and international relations at Debbie Snapp two newspapers?” they ask, customarily with a building new classrooms – the list can go on and Columnist Tallahassee Community joking laugh. on. College, and has taught at I usually respond with a chipper, “you'd be Anywhere there are people, there is news to be the University of Oregon. He will speak surprised!” before the conversation shifts onto other reported on, stories to be told, events to be representing his own views, and not as a college or topics. documented and citizens to be recognized. university spokesperson. The buffet will include Nestled next to busy Tallahassee and booming To believe those small town communities are Shepherd's Pie, sides, salad, rolls, tea and dessert. Leon County, I can almost understand why they'd too sleepy, little or isolated to deserve their own There is a suggested donation of $15 for the meal. be amazed that “sleepy little” Monticello has newspaper is to doubt that those communities have There is no charge for previous scholarship enough news and happenings to fill up two people worth reading about or values worth recipients. For more information visit newspapers twice a week, but I also beg to protest. reporting on. democratsofjeffersoncounty.com. I grew up in small, country towns (except for a I have been serving Monticello as a reporter at The Florida Department of Health brief few years in my childhood where my family ECB Publishing, Inc.