On a split vote, the Wright County Board approved a request for an additional full-time sheriff’s department employee. This will allow the county to move forward with a plan to move metal detectors from the courts area to the main entrances to the government center. Anyone visiting the center will have to pass through these security checkpoints. The change could take place as soon as Tuesday, April 1.
Author Archive for Ivan Raconteur - HJ Staff Writ
The Wright County Board gave its support to the Wright County Fair board’s proposal for a new horse facility during today’s county board meeting.
The plan includes construction of a new, larger arena and a 100-foot diameter round warm-up pen, and replacing the wooden fence with metal panels.
Ron Denn, horse superintendent for the Wright County Agricultural Society, said the existing arena is in poor condition, and needs to be replaced, and the new faciltity will serve the needs of the county’s growing equine population. Denn said the fair board has budgeted the estimated $35,549 cost of the project, and was not asking for additional funds from the county.
It may be difficult to get any kind of budget increase past the Wright County Board during the next budget cycle.
During Today’s board meeting, Commissioner Dick Mattson mentioned the number of foreclosures in the county in the past year, and said the county’s unemployment rate in December was the highest it has been in a few years.
Mattson asked the board to schedule a budget committee of the whole as soon as possible to discuss the situation and to let county departments know what it expects for the next budget session.
“We are not going to burden the taxpayers with another year like last year if I have anything to say about it,” Mattson said. “Wants and needs are two different things,” he added.
Residents and commissioners in favor of an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for a proposed gravel mining expansion in Southside Township failed to convince the majority of the Wright County Board that the study would solve any problems, and the board voted against requiring the study.
An Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAS) has already been completed for the project.
Read the full story in the Feb. 4 issue of the Delano Herald Journal.
The pre-trial conference of Bert James Hertzog, 53, of Winsted was continued from Jan. 14 to Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Hertzog is charged in Wright County with theft-by-swindle, aggravated forgery, and inspecting vehicles without certification.
Hertzog has entered a plea of not guilty. He is being represented by Attorney Robert Adams of Buffalo.
Hertzog’s charges stem from him allegedly making false inspections of commercial vehicles.
