The Carroll County Election Commission will be getting electronic poll books for the county’s 15 precincts, according to action taken by the Carroll County Legislative Body at the April 11 meeting.
Commissioners passed the resolution for the purchase and agreed that a portion of American Rescue Plan Act Funds not to exceed $50,000 be used.
Jan Ostiguy, a poll official and election commission worker, spoke during the Citizen’s Forum, in favor of the purchase.
“Poll books and a machine will go a long way for the integrity of an election,” she said.
Carroll County Administrator of Elections Peg Hamlett said it cuts out human error. It scans the bar code on the voter’s driver’s license and prints the right ticket for the right ballot whereas in the past the election official had to do the checking. Hamlett said 30 poll books would be ordered.
Commissioner Barry Mac Murphy cast the lone negative vote on the resolution.
Murphy complained about the flimsy voter registrations that have recently been sent to each voter. The recent ones are on a lightweight paper that tears easily when extracted from a wallet. The former ones were on heavy card stock.
In two separate resolutions, Rita Jones and Brad Hurley were reappointed to the Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals and Carroll County Regional Planning Commission.
Commissioner Darrell Ridgely cast the lone vote against Hurley being reappointed.
A resolution passed that amended the Highway Department’s 2021-2022 budget by $47,090.
The adjustments included: $1,440 for an employee leaving with accumulated vacation play, $150 for advertising, $3,000 for chemicals, $36,000 for equipment and machinery parts, $1,500 in garage supplies and $5,000 in lubricants.
In a resolution that passed, the Carroll County Health Department will receive an upgrade with $75,000 in Cares Act Funding that will be used for the construction of awnings. Half of the money will be received in the 2021-2022 budget and the other half in the 2022-2023 budget.
Notaries elected included John Baumgardner, Gina G. Burton, Carissa French, Kathy Howell, Angie Martin, Alesia Osborn, Nichole Page, Cheryl L. Shultz, Brian Winston and Shelby Zuniga.
Commissioners also approved monthly reports and the quarterly reports of actions by the Carroll County Indigent Care Board.
At the close of the meeting commissioner John Mann, who has been ill recently, thanked commissioners for the blessings he has received. He ask for the Budget Committee to grant raises for county employees.
Commissioners absent were Jimmy McClure, Willie Huffman, Joel Washburn and John Austin.
Rescue Squad Captain
Commissioners hear Rescue Squad presentation
During the April 11 meeting, Carroll County commissioners heard a presentation about the Carroll County Rescue Squad.
Squad Captain Curt Taylor gave an update on the squad since its inception. Several members were present at the meeting. The Rescue Squad that was organized in 1968 is now 38 members strong.
The idea of a rescue squad became a reality following the drowning a a young boy on June 10, 1968 when Dr. Dan Riddick witnessed the Henry County Rescue Squad’s rescue efforts at the scene.
“The 38 members on our roster volunteer their time, energy, and vey often, their money to provide these rescue services,” said Taylor. “Most of these members are not just from one region or area in our county. Most of our volunteers are also members of fire departments across the county. This allows for the cross training of these members, enhancing these agencies.”
The members are trained in basic vehicle extrication, advanced vehicle extrication, low angle rope rescue, land search and rescue, water search and recovery, grani bin rescue, body removal and pathological examination transportation,
“We are constantly striving to train more, learn more and serve more,” said Taylor “We know there are numerous ways we can be of even more service to our county, and we are working toward those goals each time we meet.”
In addition, the rescue squad is continuously seeking out funding opportunities which will enable the members to offer better services to the people of Carrol County.
