Crawford reports to commission on Century Farm event, new 4-H specialist

Saline County Commissioners met Wednesday, Nov. 26, to approve a regular payment schedule and to hear from Extension Program Director Cynthia Crawford.

Crawford thanked commissioners for their support of the Century Farms celebration earlier in the month, and said she had received "only good feedback" from participants.

She praised commissioners for their "leadership in making the event possible."

Crawford said applications for status as a Century Farm will be coming out in February or March 2009 for the next round of honors.

Crawford also announced the hiring of 4-H Youth Specialist Amanda Turner, who will replace Tracie Moore, who resigned the position last August.

Turner will begin her new job on Dec. 8, bringing with her, Crawford said, "a strong social work background."

In other business, Crawford said there will be seven positions available on the Extension Council for 2009. She asked commissioners to give their stamp of approval to letters being sent to Saline County residents whom the existing council believes will be good candidates for those vacancies.

Four of the council members whose terms are ending can be re-elected to the position, two more have served the maximum number of years and another has elected to retire.

Crawford said at least 14 applications are needed for consideration and encouraged county residents to notify the extension office before Dec. 12 if they wish to be added to the list of candidates. The council will meet the week of Dec. 15 to make their selections.

Southern District Commissioner Richard "Dick" Hassler reported that the Saline County Courthouse Renovation group met Tuesday, Nov. 24, with Construction Manager Dennis Paul of Septagon and Architect Tim Wilson of the Kansas City firm of Stark, Wilson and Duncan.

Wilson said drawings for the project are 60 percent complete, and presented several material samples for review by the committee. Before the project begins in earnest, however, the entire building must be inspected for the presence of hazardous materials.

The Warrensburg firm New Environmental Concepts has been hired to do the review.

The next regular meeting of the commission will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, in the commission office on the lower level of the courthouse.

Contact Kathy Fairchild at marshallhealth@socket.net