Saline County Commissioners met with representatives of paving and quarry company APAC and the Missouri Department of Transportation Thursday, July 24, to discuss options for "Quarry Hill," the area at the junction of U.S. 65 and Route UU where trucks from the APAC quarry enter the highway.

After a lengthy discussion of several options, including APAC's re-routing of their trucks to the quarry, Halverson said the company couldn't make a decision immediately, but agreed to meet again with commissioners and MoDOT representatives Oct. 1. Halverson cited financial concerns and recent personnel changes at APAC for the delay.

Kremer pointed out the recent cost-sharing agreement between Saline County and MoDOT, which involves more than $260,000, requires another agreement between Saline County and APAC by Dec. 31, in order for the funds to be available.

Halverson said he needed additional time to estimate APAC's costs for the project, but said he intends to meet the Dec. 31 deadline either way.

"We want to secure reserves. We'd rather work with the existing quarry than go elsewhere. We want a 'win-win' for APAC and Saline County," he said.

In attendance at the preliminary meeting, in addition to commissioners, were Justin Cowart, Preston Kremer, transportation project manager for MoDOT's District 2; Ron Watts of MoDOT Macon; Mark May, APAC superintendent, north quarries; Todd Eberle, production manager at the Marshall site; Arlen Halverson, president of APAC-Missouri; and Payton Norman, a local property owner.

At their regular meeting Wednesday, July 23, Saline County Commissioners heard a request from Mark Belwood on behalf of his mother, Mabyl Hanley of Marshall Junction.

Belwood asked the commission to consider a request to widen the entrance to grain storage facilities on County Road 201 where it intersects County Road 226, also known as Old Highway 40.

He said grain trucks must swing out onto County Road 226, not only into the lane of oncoming traffic but also onto the shoulder of the oncoming lane in order to make the turn, an unsafe maneuver.

In addition, Belwood requested any widening of the entrance be done to the east, "so as not to encroach on the property of our neighbors." He added the family would donate any additional land required to make the change.

Commissioners agreed to consider the request, but pointed out they would have to discuss it with Missouri Department of Transportation before taking any action.

At the regular meeting Thursday, July 24, commissioners approved a minor change in the county flood plain ordinance, to bring it in line with state requirements.

Southern District Commissioner Richard "Dick" Hassler reported on his meeting with the Workforce Development Board of Western Missouri in Sedalia July 23.

Hassler said the Wednesday meeting was "the best I've been at."

Hassler reported the meeting included presentations from several "microenterprise" grant recipients about their accomplishments in establishing new businesses.

Two people from Saline County, including a home health care business and a mobile welding business, have been established with help from the program.

Program participants must attend classes at Warrensburg and draw up plans for the businesses. Despite some obstacles, Hassler said, the businesses established in Saline County and others in the Development Board's area of coverage have done well and their accomplishments have been "notable."

The next regular meeting of the Commission will be held Tuesday, July 29, at the courthouse.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at

marshallhealth@socket.net