Ya Gotta Love Small Town America

1. The Courthouse Controversy
The Warren County Commissioners have an edifice complex, so they decided to
spend in excess of $6 million on a new courthouse to house all non-court related
county offices. This in the face of decreasing tax revenues, and ignoring the
numerous empty storefronts that could be refurbished within walking distance of
the existing courthouse. (This is probably the Presiding Commissioner’s last term
in office, so I’m calling the new building Arden’s Last Erection.)

The Commissioners paid top dollar for a piece of property on Mockingbird Lane in southern Warrenton, and then proceeded to designate the official address as being on South Highway 47 – so out-of-towners could find it. Seemed to be a good idea at the time, until the City of Warrenton and the County 911 system balked – asserting their jurisdictional right to designate local addresses. That argument might have to be adjudicated.

Then the county started construction on their new Taj Mahal, which brought an almost immediate reaction from the city. They issued citations to construction people, which halted progress, of course. The county is refusing to pay the city for building permits, a lapse which the city alleges now amounts to $26,781.40. That argument will definitely go to court in February. [An obvious problem will be finding a judge not beholden to either entity.]

2. The Augusta Bottom Road Controversy
In southern Warren County, there is a rarely-used connecting road along which there are no residents – and the county doesn’t want to spend any money on it. The section of road in St. Charles County is paved; the section in Warren County is unpaved and very rough. After the second fatality in the last month, Warren County closed their section of the road – and there is some question as to which entity within the county owns that particularly dangerous right-of-way. One of the County Commissioners actually suggested moving the county line so paving the road would be the responsibility of St. Charles County. This argument, as specious as it is, just might get the State of Missouri involved.

3. The Connection
When the county sues the city and/or another county, who pays the legal bills? I do. When the city and/or county defends itself in court, who pays the legal bills? I do. And if the state enters the fray, I could be in real trouble. Donations gladly accepted.

Walt Bittle – Taxpayer – November 2010