Allen County commissioners recognized April as being Child Abuse Prevention month by signing a proclamation at their meeting Tuesday morning.
Aimee Daniels, Court Appointed Special Advocates director, explained to commissioners the organization’s goals to help children who come from situations of abuse.
Patricia Snow, an intern from Washburn University, handed out pinwheels, which will draw attention to the month’s theme and will be placed in large numbers on the south lawn of the courthouse at 1 p.m. April 3.
Daniels said a fundraising golf tournament will be at Allen County Country Club June 15. She also noted April 19 had been designated as the day to wear blue, to draw attention to efforts to prevent child abuse.
IN OTHER ACTION, commissioners accepted several bids.
— Stout Electric and Mechanical, Iola, will upgrade lighting at the Iola Senior Citizen thrift shop, 223 N. State St., for $485.
— Magnesium chloride will be purchased in bulk from Scotwood Industries, Overland Park, for 96 cents a gallon. The material is used to control road dust, with the amount to be purchased depending on how many rural residents sign on to the program. Commissioners increased cost of application by 5 cents to $1.37 per linear foot to meet cost increases. The deadline to apply for the program will be May 1 with enrollment through the Public Work Department office, 365-1422.
— The county will buy road oil for this summer’s chip-seal program from ERGON, Kansas City, Kan., with the bulk of what it will use costing $1.975 a gallon. Last year’s cost was $2.37. Bill King, director of Public Works, said crews would treat as many miles of roads as the department’s budget would stand. Between 5,500 and 6,000 gallons is required for a mile of chip-seal.
UP TO 25 participants in the Mad Bomber Run for Your Life on July 13 will be permitted to camp overnight on the courthouse lawn.
David Toland, Thrive Allen County executive director, told commissioners the event fills motel rooms in Iola, Chanute and Yates Center, and with it growing each year more accommodations were needed.
In response to concerns, Toland said those bedding down on the lawn would do little else, after running 5 kilometers well before the cock crows that morning.
By early July two new wings for the veterans wall will be completed. Commissioners approved the project, which will add about 18 feet to each end, and increase substantially the amount of space for names of veterans associated with Allen County.
