County roads take a beating from relentless winter weather

"We have received very many phone calls" about poor road conditions, Southern District Commissioner Richard "Dick" Hassler said.

Many of the gravel roads are getting "rutty," he said, because of the repeated freezing and thawing this winter.

Hassler said the county has already filled many of the ruts with new gravel and sent graders to work on the roads, but the continued bad weather has caused problems again.

"The same roads that we've already taken care of are falling apart again," Hassler said.

He said roadwork is at a bit of a standstill currently while the county waits to receive more gravel of the appropriate size.

"Bear with us," Hassler said. "We'll get at them as soon as we can."

In other business, commissioners mentioned that election filings for county government positions opened Tuesday. Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner is one official whose term is up this year.

"I have no intention of re-filing," she said, noting her ambition to run for Missouri lieutenant governor in 2012.

Northern District Commissioner Norvelle "Brownie" Brown was also present at the meeting.

Commissioners will attend a Courthouse Preservation Committee meeting Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the prosecuting attorney's office.

The commission will meet again in regular session Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 9 a.m. in the lower level of the courthouse.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net