County gets grant money to fight drugs

OBSERVER CORPS REPORT
AGENCY: Madison County Fiscal Court
DATE: July 14, 2009
REPORTER: Howard Bowden 

The meeting was called to order at 9:33 a.m. with all present.
 
ORDER Of BUSINESS
 
1. Robin Moreland, director of Hope Wings — Madison County's domestic violence shelter, reported that 83 women and children have received services since the shelter opened. The facility can accommodate up to 16 persons. The average stay is 10 days, Moreland reported with one day being the shortest stay and 83 days the longest. Through its outreach/education program, the staff have had direct contact with 1,600 people, Moreland said.

2. Bids were opened to remove debris and to chip fallen trees and brush at the US 421 Cemetery. A little history on the cemetery - 5 acres were originally dedicated for the burials of whites and 7.9 acres for the burials of people of color.

3. Road Department bids for fuel, oil. and culverts were awarded to two local contractors.

4. The County attorney returned $3,320 in excess funds.

5. The Fiscal Court will act as the fiscal agent  for a $150,000  drug task force grant received by the sheriff’s department, a $7,500 dead animal disposal grant received by the solid waste Department and a community development block grant of $319,000 for God’s Food Pantry.

6. Larry Todd was appointed to the Southern Madison Water Board.
 
Department Head Comments: Duane Curry reported that the county received a piece of property from a bank due to foreclosure and after paying $1,300 to clean it up sold it at auction for $15,500. The money was put into the solid waste budget.  
 
Magistrates Comments: Dr Tudor reminded the Court and audience that there are going to be desperate needs facing the community as society continues to change and commented that the American male is not used to physical work. Roger Barger noted that the churches are helping to meet many of these needs.