County: Fire bane keeps burn ban in place

Allen County commissioners have a burning desire to prevent wildfires, such as 29 that occurred in the county last week.
The fire outbreak prompted a burning ban, which Sheriff Bryan Murphy encouraged commissioners to keep in place at least through today. They gave the sheriff latitude to decide if wind conditions would permit burning later in the week.
Farmers burn pastures to rid grass gone dormant over winter and which cattle find uninviting.
“I understand the need for farmers to burn in the spring and 98 percent of them are sensible,” Commissioner Tom Williams said.
When permitted, farmers are free to burn pastures during daylight hours — nighttime burning is prohibited — and seldom do problems arise.
Meanwhile, Williams said he would like to see penalties in place to discourage disregard for burning regulations. No need, said County Counselor Alan Weber, “it’s a class A misdemeanor” to burn when a ban is in place.
That might be a little too harsh, Williams said, of possible repercussions of being charged with a misdemeanor.
Cliff Ralstin, of the Humboldt Union, mentioned an idea that caught fire.
Ralstin, who lives in rural Woodson County, said residents there must obtain burn permits at the first of the year. A requirement is to report ahead of time when a pasture or brush is to be burned.
That sounded good to Williams, who asked Weber to take a look.
Meanwhile, Murphy urged caution with burning this week, noting windy conditions were forecast for a day or two. With them meeting just Tuesday mornings, commissioners gave Murphy say on when the burning ban will be lifted.
The 29 fires last week were a mix of controlled burns that got out of control and others that cropped up for one reason or another. Most involved grass, but two barns, a skid steer loader and a shop also were damaged by fire, and at least one residence was threatened.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:
 — Bill King, director of Public Works, said a grant to help pay for a new fueling system at Allen County Airport was rejected by the Federal Aviation Administration. Even so, King thinks the project can be accomplished locally for “less without cutting corners” than its projected $60,000 to $70,000 through a contractor.
“We can do the concrete work ourselves,” he said, with only plumbing contracted.
Improvements will permit jets to refuel in about 30 minutes, a task that now takes much longer. That should increase fuel sales significantly, he said, and increase airport income.
King anticipates the project this fall, when his crews have completed their busy summer work. Commissioners gave their blessing.
— Commissioners agreed to provide 120 tons of crushed rock for concrete base material for the playground equipment in Riverside Park for special needs children.
Initial work days for the playground equipment installation are April 5-6, with 20 or more volunteers needed for morning and afternoon shifts each day.
Iola Police Officer Mike Ford, who requested the rock, said Iola Kiwanis and Mothers of Miracles members raised about $190,000 for the project, which will benefit not just Iola children with special needs but any who come to the park.
— Larry Robertson will repair brick damage to a chimney atop the courthouse for $5,000. In addition to repairs, brick will be sealed to prevent further damage.
— Ron Holman, courthouse maintenance supervisor, will obtain a bid from Iola Glass to replace courthouse windows, which have been in place since the building opened in the 1950s. Home Pro, Joplin, proposed last week to replace the windows for about $120,000, which prompted Iola Glass to ask an opportunity to bid.
— Five trees of several varieties were planted on the courthouse lawn in the last week, Holman said. They have trunks ranging from two to four inches in diameter.
Also, Holman and Terry Call, who does ambulance billing, will learn how to maintain the old courthouse clock on the south courthouse lawn. Chuck Richey took the clock reins about 15 years ago from George Lee, and now wants to pass along the responsibility, Holman said.
— Approved purchase of 21 computers from Advantage Computer, Iola, for $14,595, one of three bids. Cost of computers will be split between department budgets and the county’s special equipment reserve fund.