Even before winning election to the quorum court, Justice of the Peace Caroline Rogers fought against a wind-turbine installation south of Green Forest. Since taking her seat at the table, Rogers has continued that fight. Although the quorum court passed a moratorium on commercial wind or solar installations this spring, that ordinance specifically exempted the Scout Clean Energy project already under way.
At the July 15 quorum court meeting, Rogers continued to lead a discussion on methods of bringing grievances before the full body of the court. Rogers cited repeated statements by Steve Chase during public comments. Chase has urged the county to pass requirements on the Scout installation requiring fire-suppression systems and lightning protection.
Rogers outlined her reasons for creating a more formal process for addressing citizen complaints, including acknowledgement, deliberation, and action. As an unfortunate example, she mentioned Robert Anderson, who has repeatedly come before the quorum court to complain about having his towing business dropped from the rotation of companies called in case of accident or impoundment. Other JPs explained that Anderson had been repeatedly told that the quorum court had no authority over the sheriff. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Steve Simmons said he had sent Anderson a letter explaining the legal issues involved.
Returning to the wind-turbine issue, Rogers said Scout has not responded to questions about fire safety. She said her repeated attempts to demand answers from Scout have been routed to their legal department. Simmons made no attempt to hide his exasperation as he explained that Rogers was party to a lawsuit against Scout. “You can’t expect someone you’re suing to talk to you,” he said. Rogers said she has withdrawn her name from that suit, and Simmons asked her to send him documentation of that withdrawal.
County Judge David Writer said questions about fire safety should go to the state fire marshal.
Rogers then asked about ways to bring businesses to the quorum court table for questioning, but the other JPs thought a simple invitation would work.
In other business:
- District Court Judge Dale Ramsey introduced Chief District Court Clerk Rexanna Lilly, who gave a presentation on her nomination to serve on the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission. Lilly said the commission works to improve access to the justice system. As an example, she shared copies of a judicial order, which had been translated into Spanish, Marshallese, and other languages. Lilly mentioned 104 defendants who needed an interpreter at court, and she said having legal documents in their own language will greatly aid in judicial proceedings.
- JP Craig Hicks gave an update on the county’s new radio system. The system is almost complete, despite a recent holdup on equipment delivery. Hicks said the project has taken several years, but the costs did not come from County General funds.
- A resident of Carroll Road 501 complained that gravel from a driveway had washed across the road. He said he had mentioned that weeds were growing high enough to endanger visibility around corners, and the Road Dept. had responded quickly.
- A resident of Carroll Road 3027 said the county has maintained that road for years, and he was not given any explanation why the county would no longer maintain it.
- A resolution confirmed the appointment of Joe Scott as a board member to the Berryville Library Board of Trustees.
- A resolution authorized the county judge to apply for a grant to replace the roof on the Carroll County Health Unit. The $24,000 grant would come from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and the county will provide $6,000 in matching funds.
- A resolution confirmed the reappointment of Chryl Hoyt to the Western Carroll County Ambulance District.