Commissioners bring government to the schools

It was a class of sorts,  one without grades, for Murphy High School seniors. It took place in the high school’s media center with a regularly scheduled county commissioners meeting. A chance for these students to see up close how local government works, at least one part of it.
“Twenty-nine years ago, I was in your place (in school at Murphy High School),” board chairman Jonathan Dickey told the class. “I didn’t have a clue how our government operated. In fact for the first 42 years of my life, I never attended a commissioners meeting. ”
Dickey went on to explain the importance of these young men and women finding out how government works to become better citizens for someday they might find themselves in governmental leadership positions like the current members of the board.
Commissioner David Sumpter spoke of the importance boards play in conducting county business including the county school board. He also invited questions from the Murphy High School seniors.
Commissioner Dana Jones explained that each of the three county commissioners, while being elected in a county wide vote for four year term actually come from a different section of the county. Jones from the Tomotla, Andrews end of the county; Sumpter from the western end including Hiwassee Dam and Dickey from the Murphy, Peachtree area. He mentioned the election coming up this year for county offices and encouraged all of the students who would be 18 by the election to register and vote.
“It’s not important who you vote for, you should decide that, but you exercise your voice in our government, in your government through your vote.”
The commissioners said they would be going to the county’s other high school in coming meetings so seniors at those schools could also see how the local government works.
During the course of the meeting the board approved several budget amendments including the use of $32,423 from Social Services funds to be used for Crisis intervention to help local low-income residents with their gas or electric bills. The board also approved request from the sheriff to use $2,000 from the state drug tax for money to pay informants and conduct drug busts. Another $800 from contributions was to be provided is to be used to purchase supplies for the Kids Fishing Day. The board approved the use of insurance proceeds in the amount of $45,087 for equipment replacement and vehicle repairs and maintenance within the sheriff’s department. The board approved the use of school lottery funds and designated sales tax in the amount of $283,666 to pay on work for Ranger School in lieu of ADM monies.
Commissioner Sumpter explained to the seniors that the county can’t spend any money unless it is budgeted and approved by the board of commissioners.
The board approved funding for prevention of juvenile delinquency for 2010-2011 in the amount of $85,779. $1,955 is to go for administrative cost while the remainder is almost evenly split among Pacesetters ($30,469); Hawthorn Heights ($24,962) and Project Challenge ($28,393). It was pointed out that these organizations cover a broad spectrum of work and have a good job in the past.
The board approved a 5-year projection of capital funds report for the Western Carolina Regional Airport.
It gave the go ahead for a new restaurant located at the Cherokee Hills Golf Course to pursue a pouring license for beer, wine and mixed drinks. That application will have to be made and approved by the state.
In a report to the commissioners, David Badger, the county manager said surveys have been completed on the several pieces of forest service property and that he expected to get a report shortly on what piece would be most suitable to establish and new recycling center.
Badger also said that partnership with the county school system is going well regarding recycling that approximately 50 percent of paper waste has been recycled and prevented from going into the land fill. He said the county is looking forward to working with Walmart and other businesses in this recycling effort.