It was a standing room only crowd at the Pottawatomie County Commission chambers Monday morning, with several concerned citizens wanting to know the status of Belvue Bridge. The group wanted assurances from the commissioners that they still support an eventual new bridge. Commissioner Pat Weixelman stressed community support would be needed when it comes time to finance the project.
Commission Chair Stan Hartwich added he’s been supportive of a new bridge all along. Hartwich also asked members of the public if they had a problem with the mill levy being raised three or four mills in order to fix the bridge. Audience members indicated they would support such an increase if needed.
Steven and Teresa Holz are farmers and producers in the county–with Teresa explaining why so many are wanting to know the status as they now know what they can transport over the bridge legally. She said it is a big concern.
Dan Flerlage who lives south of the bridge, talked about one specific concern, with anytime water gets in the concrete and freezes, it crumbles. But Flerlage says if epoxy is put on the bridge, it would seal out the water so that doesn’t happen, which would be good for it.
Weixelman told the group some immediate road work is planned, as had been announced. Weixelman says another suggestion is to drop the speed limit over the bridge to about 40 miles per hour until something more major can be done…
Both Weixelman and Commission Chair Stan Hartwich assured the group they still support a new bridge, but admitted it will take a while to find financing.
Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, continues to be a problem in Pottawatomie County, with younger children particularly hard hit. Sarah Fornshell, Immunization Coordinator with the Pottawatomie County Health Department, told county commissioners Monday there have been cases of broken ribs and children throwing up due to the excessive coughing that’s part of the illness.
Health Director Leslie Campbell reminded commissioners infants are a special concern. Fornshell added information that’s been going to schools and businesses in Pottawatomie County has come from state officials.
Both Campbell and Fornshell say the latest wave of reports have come from businesses, especially along the highway 24 corridor.
Others presenting at the meeting were Public Works Director Leu Lowery and Register of Deeds Betty Abitz.
