In Jan. 17-23, 2008 issue
By Derek Aaron, Times Journal Reporter
derek@tjrcn.com

RUSSELL SPRINGS - The City Commission accepted all three text amendments for zoning regulations including requirements for trailer parks in the city limits during last Thursday's regular monthly meeting.

Coy Harris, chairman of the city's planning and zoning board, was on hand at the meeting to answer questions from commissioners Ray Barrett, Richard Wooldridge and Timmy Hudson about issues involving trailer parks, billboards and signs and cellular tower telecommunication services.

Barrett asked Harris about privacy concerns and whether members of the board would be inspecting mobile homes already occupied.
Harris told the commission that homes could be inspected before occupation and would have to meet the right safety criteria before being occupied.

"We're not going in to critique anyone's home," Harris said.

He said the board was just making sure that all applicable planning and zoning rules were being complied with and that the city was doing all it could to insure the safety of its people.

Mayor Hollis DeHart commended Harris and the planning and zoning board for the work they do for the city.

In other happenings at the meeting—

• The commission agreed to let the mayor try and receive a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Program, a move that could possibly allow the city to receive a significant amount of money to go toward Cherry Tree Park near the Senior Citizen's Center. The city will hold in reserve 50 percent of the proposed cost, according to DeHart. That includes equipment, labor and the like, the mayor said.

• The commission paved way to accept grant money from the Recreational Trails Program for the city. If the city does receive the grant, the total amount will be announced then.

• Ronnie Hudson's bid of $1,000 was accepted by the commission for a Chevrolet Blazer that the city had in its possession.

• Jimmy Dunbar was selected by the commission to be on the Board of Adjustments, which needed a new board member. Under the recommendation of Commissioner Hudson, Dunbar was unanimously appointed to the position.

• Commissioner Barrett said the city had gotten a new front-end snow plow and salt spreader for the city's roadways if icy and snowy conditions were to occur.

• Commissioner Wooldridge said the water department had a good 2007 and looked forward to an even more successful 2008.
He said the sewer project would begin either late this year or early in 2009.

• Commissioner Hudson said his department was still sending out property abatement letters and cleaning up lots around the city. Hudson also commended the fire department on the job they do helping out with wrecks and cleaning up the roadways.

DeHart said the job Hudson's department has done cleaning up city lots and sending out abatement letters was something to be proud of.

"We're doing this for the future," DeHart said. "I want to be proud of my town. This is my home."