Mayor brings issues to fiscal court
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Three of the current Martin County magistrates attended their last fiscal court meeting in their official capacity Thursday evening.
The December meeting was the second overseen by Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty, who thanked the departing for their dedication to the county and the residents they represented over the last four years.
“The gentlemen seated here have provided a very necessary service for the county, and it’s not an easy job. We extend our appreciation and gratitude for your service,” Lafferty said, inviting each magistrate to speak.
“I want to say thank you to the residents in my district that voted for me and chose me to serve over the past four years,” District 3 Magistrate Derrick Stepp said. “I will still continue to serve the needs of the citizens of Martin County in any capacity I possibly can. I wish the incoming magistrates and you, Judge Lafferty, all the luck in the world for the next four years. If there’s ever anything I can do to help any of you, all you have to do is ask.”
District 1 Magistrate Jarod Goforth was only 24 when elected in 2018. Judge Lafferty commended him on having the grit and desire to become involved in the political process and county government.
“It’s been an honor to serve the people of District 1,” Goforth said. “It’s been a good four years at times, and other times it was bad, but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve become acquainted with a lot of folks that I didn’t know prior to serving, and I’ve become friends with quite a few of them. I’d gladly do it all again.”
District 2 Magistrate Roger Preece became a popular fixture in the county during his four-year tenure. Preece spent day after day on the roadways in his district picking up litter, mowing the weeds where the view was obstructed by drivers and even using a blade on his truck to remove snow from roads not normally treated.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve as magistrate for District 2,” Preece said. “Before I was even elected, I felt like a magistrate should physically work and get things done in their area. I hope the residents were happy with what I tried to accomplish. I’m asking for prayers for the incoming magistrate for my district, Kermit Howell, and his family, as I think anyone in this position can really use them. Kermit is a good boy and comes from a good family. I think he will do a good job for District 2. I support him 100%.”
District 4 Magistrate Junior Hunt was reelected for a new term that starts Jan. 1. Hunt said he had enjoyed serving with his fellow court members and would miss them.
Lafferty told the court that District 5 Magistrate Mark Blackburn had planned to attend the meeting but could not make it.
The court approved bonds for Lafferty and newly elected jailer Bill Maynard and reviewed a bid for repairs at the road and bridge department that suffered damage during flash floods in August.
“Hopefully, the work can be completed for the amount of the accepted bid or even less, and we can get the building repaired in a timely manner and in safe condition for our workers,” said the judge.
The court approved financial reports and the appropriations list and opened the floor for public comments.
Inez Mayor addresses court
Inez Mayor Ed Daniels asked if anyone had reviewed an agreement between the county and the Army Corps of Engineers for stream maintenance in Inez, which he previously provided to the court.
“Mayor, I haven’t done that yet but rest assured, I’m going to,” said Lafferty. “As I recall, there was an agreement years ago. I haven’t seen it yet, but I will.”
Daniels brought up the ambulance service in the county.
“My next question is whether anyone is checking into the current ambulance service we have, and what do you plan to do to fix this problem?” asked Daniels.
“Yes, we are all concerned about this, and we are all checking into it,” said Lafferty. “Discussions have been going on about what we are going to do. I don’t have an answer for you tonight, and I wish I did. This is a regional problem – actually, it’s a nationwide problem.”
Lafferty noted that during county official training last week, he heard from judges and magistrates across the state who said their fiscal courts were facing the same issue.
“This is a top priority for us, and a solution has to be found,” said Lafferty. “We have to have an available ambulance in the county when someone is in need. We have to ensure that emergency medical care for our residents is in place.”
Magistrate Preece said it would be best to keep a local company supplying the service rather than bringing in one from another area.
“We’d like to see the service remain in the county and local people employed if at all possible,” said Preece. “I’ve never been one that wants to see jobs go to non-residents if was can keep from it.”
“I want to say one more thing,” said Daniels. “Now that the gas price is becoming lower and we are hoping it stays there or drops lower, will the additional cost for our garbage pickup be reduced back to where it was?”
The judge told Daniels he was going to have the outgoing magistrates speak on the subject since they were the ones that had voted for the increase on behalf of the haulers.
Magistrate Stepp informed the court that Jude’s Sanitation, the garbage hauler for his district, submitted a 30-day notice dated Dec. 15. The court is advertising for bids for the service. (See the related story and advertisement in this edition of the newspaper.)