County Using Grant Funds to Buy Freezers for Commmodities

Holly, Wiley and Granada are receiving three freezers, courtesy of Prowers County.  The three freezers, totaling $1,769, are being purchased with a Community Service Block Grant through the state Department of Local Affairs.  Darren Glover, Community Resource Service Director, explained that the freezers will be used to store the free commodities from the federal government that are distributed throughout the county four times a year.  “The last time out we filled about 383 boxes of food for over 800 persons,” Glover explained.  He said that some foods, such as chicken, come frozen and the freezer purchase involves less traveling among the communities for distributing the foods when they arrive.  A CSBG Allocation of Funds was also approved to defray the cost of driving to Denver and back to pick up the commodities.  They are not shipped out.  Commissioner Joe Marble noted that in past times, some other communities order the food, but don’t pick it up.  When that happens, Prowers County and others are offered the extras, which are accepted.

Tammie Clark, who last week was approved by the county commissioners as the Public Health & Environment Deputy Director, was also approved as the Interim health director while a search continues for a full time replacement for that position.  A credit card authorization for Clark to be used in her duties was also authorized. 

John Marrin, Lamar Community College President, and Anne-Marie Crampton, Executive Director of the LCC Foundation, shared some good news with the commissioners regarding advance registration for the fall semester.  “Enrollment is up 22% following last week’s initial orientation at the college,” Marrin stated.  He said 124 students have enrolled and a second orientation and registration will be held in August, just prior to the start of the semester for the college’s 76^th year.  Long range plans for additional living quarters are still developing he said.  Plans call for three ‘pods’ to be built using shared infrastructure facilities.  It’s more financially feasible to lay out the water, sewer and electric for all three even though only one pod, serving 28 students, will be initially built, Marrin explained.  When the financing is available, the pods will be constructed to the north of the current residence halls.  Crampton reviewed a concept developed for LCC employees that provides for a donation to the college through a payroll deduction form.  “As of last August, we’ve had 70% of our employees donate either to the Foundation or to various LCC programs,” she stated.  Crampton mentioned that the college also offers a state taxed deferred status as an Enterprise Zone.  “Donations received for support of our programs or any capital purchases qualify for the deductions,” she told the commissioners.

By Russ Baldwin