Several residents of Deep Woods Road in McKenzie attended the workshop of the Butler County Commission Thursday night requesting that the county begin regular maintenance of their road.

The residents explained that because the road is a private one, in the case of an emergency, neither the police nor the ambulance would be able to make a call to any one of the four residents' homes.

County Engineer Dennis McCall explained that in order for the county to begin maintaining the road, the residents would have to give the county right-of-way and deed the road to Butler County.

However, Chairman Daniel Robinson explained that there are many roads throughout the county in the same situation and the county could not possibly maintain every road that is considered a private drive.

The road is in the district of Commissioner William L. Phillips, who brought it to the table. At the end of the discussion, he told the residents that he was sorry there was nothing more they could do and said, "I try to get people some help, and I just can't get any help."

However, McCall agreed to help the residents by advising them how the road could be fixed and maintained.

In other news, Circuit Clerk Allen Stephenson introduced Art Baylor, a security specialist and deputy marshall, who advised the commission on security measures that need to be taken at the Butler County Courthouse.

The question of security and the courthouse was brought about after a fist-fight occurred recently during court. Baylor explained that the state will pay for metal detectors, both walk-through and hand-held, and possibly and x-ray machine.

Commissioner Jesse McWilliams commented, "The one thing that we have got to get across to people at the courthouse is that there will be only one way in and one way out."

Baylor added that in the case of an emergency all doors would still be accessible to exit.

Also appearing before the commission were two representatives of Steadfast Bridge Company, Tim Sexton and James Stephens. The company, which recently closed its local Greenville office, Cambridge Designs, has been working with the county in hopes of selling the building where the company was once located. The county is in negotiations with the company to purchase the building to possibly be used for future industries that are looking to locate in Butler County. The item is scheduled for discussion at next Monday's meeting.

Margaret McElroy and Lee Helms of the organization People Against A Littered State (PALS) also were at Thursday's meeting to explain about the program and to help get residents of Butler County involved in both the Adopt-A-Mile Program and the statewide Spring Clean-Up, which is set for April 13 – 20.

Also at Monday's meeting, the commission

will vote on a veterinary services agreement with Dr. William Watson, D.V.M.;

will set license fees for the ABC Board;

will discuss ad valorem taxes for the year;

will hear the engineer's report and the jail report.