County takes look at structures

The roofs on the Allen County Law Enforcement Center and the Senior/Community Center in Moran have problems.
Ron Holman, director of maintenance at the courthouse, told commissioners Tuesday the law center roof had been leaking for several years, causing interior damage.
The Emporia contractor that installed the roof has visited a couple of times in the past six years but leaks continue, Holman said. What responsibility the Emporia company has may be outlined in a warranty document — if it can be found. County Counselor Alan Weber said he would “check into it.”
Meanwhile, Holman was instructed to solicit bids for repair of the roof to give commissioners an option.
Danny Ware, a local contractor, said the north end of the Moran building, built under auspices of the county about 10 years ago, was “pushing to the north, an inch or so now,” and there was no promise that it wouldn’t continue. “I only see it getting worse,” Ware said.
“I’ve fixed a lot, but never anything like this,” he added.
Initial evidence of the problem was drywall inside the building developing gaps, which could be fixed, but “only cosmetically,” said Ware. Long term, the solution is to stop the building’s structure from shifting, he said.
Ware agreed to provide an estimate for repairs.
Holman also told commissioners he would keep the east lobby of the courthouse open until 7 o’clock each Thursday evening during the five-month run of the Allen County Farmers Market. Thrive Allen County will provide signage to alert patrons and vendors of the service.

COMMISSIONERS will meet with Sheriff Bryan Murphy and Weber next Tuesday to discuss a policy for public use of the firing range south of Allen County Landfill.
To date, the range has been an adjunct of law enforcement. Commissioner Jim Talkington told commissioners previously local Masonic Lodge members would like to use the range for the live shooting portion of a concealed carry class.
Commissioner Tom Williams, former county sheriff, and Commissioner Jerry Daniels, with a background in law enforcement, said if the range were to be used by a public group, a range master — an officer trained in live fire exercises — should be on hand, probably with a fee attached.
“If we say ‘yes’ to somebody, we have to say ‘yes’ to everyone,” Williams pointed out.
Williams also said when he was sheriff he was asked several times about use of the range, “and I didn’t want to take the next step because of responsibility” and liability involved.
The main feature of the range is a large berm that is thick enough to stop bullets fired from high-powered handguns and rifles.

COMMISSIONERS purchased two pieces of heavy equipment for the Department of Public Works.
Joplin Freightliner’s bid of $153,128 was accepted for a tandem axle 450-horsepower dump truck with snow equipment. Another bid for a less powerful truck was from the same company.
O’Malley Equipment, Iola, was the only bidder — it placed two — for a tractor to be used at the landfill. The winning bid was for a Model 6140M John Deere at $86,046.09.