Fly Ash Dump Protocols to be Reviewed

Prowers County Courthouse

Area resident Cathy Tintinger, who has opposed fly ash dumping at the city-owned,  East Lamar Landfill, requested the intergovernmental agreement between the county and City of Lamar regarding fly ash disposal be terminated.  She voiced concerns over the clay content being used as a base for the landfill as well as the fact that ash residue is no longer being dumped at the landfill at this time.  She also asked if any of the protocols for observing dumping ash had been followed by Southeast Land and Environment over the past year since the IGA went into effect. 

Only a limited amount of fly ash has been produced by Lamar Light and Power since the Repowering Project has been offline, and it will not be using coal until repairs are finalized this coming summer.  The Light Plant has also had a contract for over a year with MacDonald Farms from Longmont which has hauled the ash away in sealed containers.   The commissioners did say they will set up a joint meeting with Light Plant officials, Southeast Land and Environment and City of Lamar officials to review on site inspections.  Commissioner Millbrand stated that it would be better to maintain the IGA, as it would be better to remain in effect once the Repowering Project begins to operate again using coal as its fuel source. 

The first Commissioners meeting of the New Year called for only one change in the annual County reorganization of departments.  Gene Millbrand accepted the commission chair from Henry Schnabel with Joe Marble as vice-chairman for 2012.  All other positions remain unchanged. 

The commissioners tabled a request for use of the Prowers County Fairgrounds and arena from Ken Brooks, committee chairman of the Lamar Elks Lodge.  Each May the Elks host the Little Britches Rodeo at the fairgrounds and discovered that the arena had been double booked with another event for the same time.  The commissioners tabled the arena request from the Elks until they have spoken with the other party and Brooks said he would wait to hear from the commissioners on the matter.  The Lamar Elks have hosted the Rodeo for the past nine out of ten years. 

County Coroner Joe Giadone presented his annual report to the commissioners, stating he conducted seven autopsies in 2011, at a cost of $1,600 each, within the budget limitations set for the year.  Overall, Giadone attended to 101 cases, compared to 92 for the previous year. 

The commissioners approved the amendment prepared by county attorney John Lefferdink for CSU for land used by the Pierre Auger Project south of Lamar at the Journey Building.  The altered version of the contract will be sent to CSU officials for their review and signature.  The site hosts several Cosmic Ray collector tanks and satellite telemetry to record readings of Cosmic Ray impact on the planet. 

The commissioners were taken by surprise with the revelation that County Commissioners in 1981 had approved an agreement for road maintenance to the building complex just north of the Arkansas River Bridge.  That area, Speculator Avenue,  now hosts the UPS Building, Rupp Enterprises, Ace Tires and All Right Paving.   Apparently once the road way was paved, the maintenance provision would go into effect.  The commissioners will review the records with county attorney John Lefferdink to explore their options and to be not held liable for any past incurred costs from the business owners.

The commissioners presented a plaque of appreciation to Lola Shrimplin from The Lamar Ledger for her service as a reporter over the past several years.  She said she will attend college in Kansas City, Kansas, pursuing a career in the ministry.  The commissioners met in executive session with attorney Lefferdink and PCDI executive director Lisa Nolder regarding business incentives for Reyman Grocery in Holly, as well as a separate session to discuss legal advice regarding employee contracts.

by Russ Baldwin