I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Over the past three years many changes have occurred throughout the county. I have been busy with changes, and wish more was accomplished. However two adversaries held us back - time and money. With this in mind, I would like to reflect on what we've done.
In 2005 I identified needs and did day-to-day responsibilities. We had one bridge closed and others to replace. We improved cross drainage by replacing some 20 pipes, some so large we had a crane install them. We improved a few gravel roads with asphalt and chip-and-seal. Dumpsites are an eyesore and health hazard for everyone. I was able to find money to clean up one of two. With safety in mind we upgraded that low water slab south of Sallisaw with a five-foot concrete slab and guardrail. But 2005 ended with fire hazards since we hadn't had rain for months.
At the beginning of 2006 we still had one bridge closed and more that needed to be replaced. We were able to get three rebuilt. I'm proud of our county workers because our own crew replaced one bridge. We were able to asphalt and chip-and-seal a few roads, and improved 15.7 miles of existing gravel roads.
I also found funding to eliminate an illegal dump off Lake View Road. We constantly check cross drainage, and replaced and upgraded some 25 metal and concrete pipes.
In 2007 ice and rain got everyone's attention and with those problems we located areas needing culverts and flooded areas needing cross drainage. So we put in another 25 metal and concrete pipes. We were able to improve another seven miles of road by adding asphalt and chip-and-seal.
We eliminated two more unsafe bridges, one of which was built by our own men. Then floods damaged a few more bridges and roads. With the help of FEMA, ODOT and our crews they were repaired. Maintaining our roads is our primary goal and we are always looking for ways to improve roads.
We can always look back and see what we should have done, but we really need to look forward and have an improvement plan. I applied for and got money to recondition Indian Road from Gum Springs two and a half miles to the county line. The money will be available in 2010. This will give us a wider roadway, with shoulders and a two-inch overlay. We should also get enough funding in 2012 to recondition Highway 17, from Sallisaw to Marble City. We got the funding to overlay 3.9 miles of Sequoyah Refuge Road. This money should be available in 2008. My goal for the county is to provide better and safer roads for all of us.
The past three years have been busy and it seems 2008 will be the same. Call every once in a while and if nothing else just say "Howdy." Your calls are always appreciated.
STEVE CARTER, DISTRICT 2 COUNTY
COMMISSIONER
