Child Abuse Prevention, Celebrating Edsel Welch, and Remembering Glen Dalton

The Judge's Office has been very busy as of late. We have been in the middle of 2 audits of the Fiscal Court for several weeks now. The process is very time consuming and keeps us all busy for the majority of the day. We are getting close to the finish of the auditor's field work so I expect to have more time to work on upcoming projects when they are finished. We are starting to look at the budget for the upcoming Fiscal year and will be focusing more on it within the next 2 weeks. We have yet to receive the estimated cooperative road funds agreement from the Office of Rural and Secondary roads and will need that before we can get a solid number for road funds that will be available for us in FY 24-25. Some of that number will depend on what is within the finalized budget from the State. After that number is made available to us, we can then have a LGEA hearing for projected funds use as well as complete the road fund cost allocation sheet that is required within our County budget. We will also be looking close at the Transfer Station, Sanitation Department, budget. We need to look at ways to improve equipment and every day operations. There is a lot to consider and take into the budget process and it will take time to complete.

Saturday April 13th is Child Abuse Prevention Day in Jackson County. There will be a family-oriented event to promote awareness and resources for families and education on the problem of child abuse. I will be signing a proclamation along with Mayor Stidham making the day official for child abuse prevention. There will be inflatables for the kids, entertainment, food, games and prizes. The event is free and all are welcome. Our children are our most precious resource and we plan to celebrate them this Saturday.

Sunday April 14th will be a special day for Jackson County. First at 1:00 pm we will be having a parade around the courthouse square for World War 2 Veteran, Edsel Welch. Edsel will be turning 100 years old Sunday. Everyone is invited to join his family and friends as we celebrate an achievement that many are not fortunate to achieve. Then at 2:00 pm there will be a celebration of life for Glen Dalton at Worthington Park in Annville. Glen passed away last month. He had a passion and devotion for Worthington Park. Friends and family will be having a gathering remembering the time he spent in their lives and in the park.