By Leah Justice and Brandon Shanesy

Polk welcomes new cooperative extension director

Polk County Commissioners introduced and welcomed newly hired cooperative extension officer Scott Welborn during the county’s Aug. 24 meeting. Welborn has been on the job for approximately one month and said it has been exciting and the people welcoming.

Welborn said agriculture is a really important part of our county and he hope he can continue to carry the torch of former director John Vining, who Welborn said set the bar high.

Polk amends library by-laws

The Polk County Board of Commissioners amended the library’s by-laws to change the start and end date of members’ terms, to adjust the meeting schedule to match the fiscal year and to cut one member of the board per state law. The board will now have 12 members instead of 13. Commissioners changed the by-laws at their Aug. 24 meeting.

Polk congratulates Columbus and Greek Creek fire for lower ISO rates

The Polk County Board of Commissioners congratulated the Columbus and Green Creek Fire Departments on recently receiving lower ISO ratings. Commissioners met Aug. 24 and heard from Polk County Emergency Services Director Bobby Arledge on the recent inspections. Green Creek went from a rating of 9 to a rating of 6 and Columbus went from a rating of 9 to a rating of 5. The new ratings means that homeowners who live within five road miles of the fire department or substation will receive lower insurance rates. The new rates will be effective Nov. 1.

Carruth, Mathias, Whiteside to return to Landrum City Council uncontested

Current Landrum City Council members John D. Carruth III, Jon D. Mathias and Joyce A. Whiteside will fill the three seats open for election in November. Due to a lack of opponents, and the Aug. 17 expiration of the write-in period, Landrum’s city council seats will not appear on the ballot come Nov. 3. The council member’s terms will automatically be renewed upon their conclusion. “A lot of people want change but very few want to put forth the effort,” said City Administrator Caitlin Martin.

​According to Martin, Whiteside is a strong proponent of the sidewalk program. Mathias and Carruth are motivated to assist businesses and ensure that hospitality tax is used wisely.

Public parking on the way for Landrum

On Aug. 11 Landrum City Council approved allocating approximately $17,000 dollars to create a public parking area for downtown access. The lot was donated by Operation Hope and sits directly behind the building located at 206 E. Rutherford St. in Landrum. “This is something we’ve been discussing for a while,” said Mayor Bob Briggs. The council agreed to remove the trees and apply gravel to the lot as opposed to paving, which would roughly double the cost. “That gives us time to pay the depot off in 10 years and then use the money to pave it later,” said Councilman Randy Wohnig. According to City Administrator Caitlin Martin, the city will also erect public parking signage directing motorists to the lot.