In the last Legislative Session the authority of speed limits on county roads became that of the County Judge. Since then I have initiated posting of speed limit signs on county roads and wm progress; until all county roads, as a safely issue, have signage. 1 am requesting that the residents of these roads please contact my office if you have reason that these speed limits need to be increased or decreased. Please stipulate what you believe would be a reasonable... but yet a safe speed. And I will reconsider the posted speed limit.

Another to pie on county roads has been the use of mowing machines for the control of brush on road sides. Some citizens are questioning as to why their road has not been trimmed; and, others are upset that the trees have been trimmed, due to the manner in which the mowers cut the brush and trees, and are considered unsightly.. . I will agree that hand trimming is a neater appearance. However, there are many issues to be addressed. and though it is not always the most desired, the financial responsibility is one that as your County Judge I am required by law to consider. With that, this week in visiting with a group in our county and discussing this situation on their road created an option that 1 offer to everyone. If the property owners on any road in Carroll County would prefer to maintain the trimming of brush and trees on that particular road, I will appreciate meeting with you to originate a plan that we all can be proud to incorporate. This would be somewhat similar to the "Adopt a Highway" of the State Highway Department. Please contact my office if you would be interested. 1be phone number is 870·423-2967.

And, for the last topic for today, recently I awarded the contract for this year's materials for county road maintenance. And, if you have not year heard, our county road foreman, a local newspaper and 1 have been contacted due to the fact that I did not award the bid to the lowest bidder. And, I believe that you. the citizens, deserve an explanation as to my decision.. .Responsible Financial Management. That is the reason for my decision. The party that called me did have the lowest bid for the product until consideration of TRUE PRODUCT COST was addressed. That also includes the cost of freight; and, in today's market with the cost of labor. equipment and fuel a good manager equates those factors into the TRUE COST. By the way, the difference on one of the products went from $92.40 per average load cheaper to $85.80 higher. And, when you extend that figure to an anticipated 160 loads this year - that equates to $13,728.00 more expensive! I stand by my decision.

Please drive carefully and be attentive as you drive….carelessness causes accidents.