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County adopts permit policy, hears from loggers, poultry growers
In an effort to protect already deteriorating county roads, the Cleburne County Commission this week adopted a resolution establishing a permit policy and setting forth some regulations for large trucks. The resolution states, in part: “Whereas, conditions exist that necessitate that county commission establish regulations to assure the public’s roads and bridges are protected against misuse and to assure repairs are made by responsible parties when damages occur. . . therefore, the commission adopts . . . permit policy in regulation of transportation upon or potentially impacting roadway infrastructure belonging to the people of Cleburne County.” The regulations require timber harvesters to post permits, prevents the loading of timber or wood products on any roadways or right-of-ways, specifies access turnouts, requires timber harvesting operators to keep county roads open for mail, school buses and emergency vehicles, requires the erecting of warning signs in compliance with the national “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control” and prevents disturbing of any ditches along the public roadway. The regulations state, “Any damage to roadway shall be repaired by permit holder or compensation made by same.” Any timber harvest operations in Cleburne County must conform to the “Best Management Practices” set forth by the Alabama Forestry Commission and must abide by Alabama Department of Environmental Management regulations. In addition timber harvesters will be required to file, with the Cleburne County Commission, a letter of credit, certified cashier’s check or bond for tracts over five acres in size. The amount shall be $5,000 for the first five acres with an increase of $500 per acre to a maximum of $25,000 for the tract to guarantee the faithful performance of the permit. Following timber harvesting the county engineer must make an inspection to see that all regulations have been abided by. Timber harvesters (loggers) found not in compliance at any time may have their permit taken away. Violators may be convicted and fined according to state law. Cleburne County Commission Ex-Officio Chairman Ryan Robertson said one logger had requested that he try to get the commission to delay taking action on the regulations. He said he did pass the request along but commissioners decided to move forward and approve the resolution. Cleburne County Engineer Shannon Robbins also reported that the county has been denied a FEMA grant of $1.3 million in federal funds (disaster declaration) to repair county roads which have cracked, buckled and basically crumbled following the severely cold temperatures and heavy rains the area has experienced this winter. Robbins said FEMA does not consider the deteriorating road conditions due to weather but the result of lack of maintenance and insufficient road practices. Cleburne County Executive Officer Steve Swafford said the county will appeal the decision. A few minutes later the problem of bad roads came up again in a lengthy work session in which Jerry Gibbs said he was there over concern for the Tommy Edwards family who grow chickens for Cagle off CR 28 along the county line with Randolph County. The Cleburne County Commission has been dealing with that road for several months. Commissioner Dwight Williamson said that at some point in the past the 14-17 residents were promised a paved road. Both Williamson and Robbins agreed the road was not brought to the proper standards to pave, so what residents got was an “insufficient” paving job. An additional $50,000 was spent in July, 2007 to try and “save” the road but Williamson began to get “a lot of complaints about heavy trucks” running the road so he met with Robbins and in their discussions came upon the idea of setting a weight limit of 13 tons on the road. While pleasing some residents on the road, the limit did not set well with the Edwards’ who, as chicken growers, depend on large trucks to make deliveries and pick up chickens. Robertson said the commission didn’t want to hurt Edwards’ business so they began discussions with the Randolph County Commission in an effort to see if they would improve their end of the road to give trucks access to the farm from the Randolph County side. They agreed and the Cleburne County Commission rescinded their weight limit until May 1 to give them time to complete improvements to the dirt road on their end. Gibbs said the whole affair has “put a bad taste in Cagle’s mouth” and he is concerned about the promised road improvements Randolph County intends to make. ‘What if they don’t maintain the road and trucks get stuck? You’re (Cleburne County) relying on Randolph County to provide a sufficient road,” Gibbs added. Williamson assured Gibbs he has talked with a Cagle representative and they understand the situation. “We’ll extend the deadline (with Randolph County) if the weather hampers work,” Williamson said. Quintion Langley said he felt the simple solution would be to “fix the road.” He added, “Legally, you may be playing with fire by setting weight limits. Scrape that mess off and put it back dirt,” Langlesuggested. Williamson said the commission talked with the county attorney before they established the weight limit. Local developer and timber company operator David Hewitt asked the commission if the weight limits would prevent timber from being harvested along the road or stop concrete trucks from traveling the route. Williamson suggested it might if those vehicles were over the weight limit, should that limit ever be restored. Langley said he felt the commission is “picking on” Edwards. “Who’s going to be next?” He asked. Hewitt said he didn’t think the commission could set any kind of limits on a farm-to-market road and asked if Alabama Power trucks or fire trucks would be allowed to travel the road. Gibbs suggested the commission call Cagle and give them permission to begin using the road. Williamson asked Robbins what it would take to return the 1.7 mile road to dirt to which he responded, “a few thousand dollars.” Robbins said it is his job to look after county roads and do what he can to protect them. He pointed out that Alabama has the lowest taxes in the nation and does not collect enough money to keep up infrastructure. “We’re fighting a losing battle, closing roads and bridges, trying to preserve public investments.” He added. Judge Robertson said “The county is getting the same amount of money than when I came into office. We are trying to protect what we have. We need money for roads and infrastructure. Right now we’re trying to get an extra $30 court fee to offset what we put into the county engineering department but Senator Benefield wouldn’t help us.” Robbins suggested that those present “get mobilized” in a movement to make sure the county get’s more gas tax money. Hewitt then questioned the commission about possible restrictions on the logging industry. The regulations adopted a few minutes earlier are similar to those in force in Clay County. Hewitt said he feels “it will be just another law on the books without enforcement. “What does a permit accomplish?” He asked. Commissioner Rex Nolen responded by saying that if logging operations damage any county roads “we will know who to go back on. We can track them down easier. It seems to be a growing problem. All counties have that policy and we want to mirror the same. We want to make sure somebody is responsible, other than us, if the road gets torn up.” Hewitt said he doesn’t feel those responsible would be that hard to find. He also noted that he does not feel logging operations should be the only ones having to obtain permits. “There are already laws out there on the books. Why a new law or policy?,” He asked. Nolen said he and other commissioners get complaints from residents about trailers blocking roads, school buses being held up for as long as 20 minutes, mud on the road and damage to roads and right-of-ways. “When a shoulder of a road is torn up what do we do?” He asked. Robbins said the county’s existing policy now mirrors state law in which there is a lot of “grey area” “We have asked people to do what is right, put the road back like they found it, and that hasn’t worked very well.” Hewitt said what the county is trying to do “sounds great but implementation is a little different. I agree we need to take care of shoulders. We’re (his company) doing what we can. We’ll work with you. But think about this. Where is the end of this? You may be opening up a big can of worms.”
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Heflin extends waste contract
The City of Heflin extended their garbage pickup contract with Allied Waste for another three years at no additional cost to city residents.
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Emrick announces for state senate seat
Heflin businessman Russell Emrick announces his candidacy for the Alabama Senate District 13.
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Funderburk honored with memorial park
Fruithurst area resident Jimmy Lee Funderburk, who was killed in a car accident in 1967, has been honored by having a park in Fruithurst named in his honor – Jimmy Lee Funderburk Memorial Park.
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“Glimpses of the Past” to meet in Fruithurst
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The Cleburne County Historical Society will be hosting a community gathering March 18 at the Fruithurst Senior Citizens Center at 1 p.m.
Sen. Shelby to be at Jack’s Saturday
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U. S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) will join the residents of Cleburne County for a county visit on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. The county visit, which is open to the public, will take place at Jack’s, located at 450 Ross Street in Heflin.
Museum to reopen Saturday
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The East Alabama History Museum, located at 1401 Ross Street, in the old Heflin Railroad Depot Station, will reopen on Saturday.
Rogers announces candidacy
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Third District Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) kicked off his bid for a fifth term last week in Anniston before a large crowd of Democrats and Republicans.
Educators recognized, children enjoy reading
by Wayne Ruple
Cleburne News Editor
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The Cleburne County Board of Education accepted the resignation of Tammy Coefield, Director of Instruction & Staff Development effective March 31.
Sales taxes down in Heflin
by Wayne Ruple
Cleburne News Editor
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A faltering economy has sent sales tax collections down in Heflin by 39 percent for the first quarter.
VA office dates of operation
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The local VA office in Cleburne County announces the following hours of operation for March.

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