More historical photos purchased for Courthouse
More history of Jackson County will be on display at the Courthouse as the county commissioners have purchased 11 more photographs of older, notable buildings throughout the county.
Last year, the commissioners purchased 19 images from Verlin Wichman of Holton that are now framed and displayed throughout the Courthouse. The images depict areas in Jackson County from the early 1900s, and many are enhanced and enlarged from penny postcards.
During a recent Jackson County Commission meeting, Wichman presented eight additional 28 x 17½ inch historic photographs (three framed) for purchase, as well as three 11 x 14 inch framed photographs.
The commissioners agreed to purchase all the photographs and the included framing at a total cost of $365.
The eight larger photographs portray a variety of scenes found around the county in the early 1900s, such as the west side of the Town Square, which featured the Jack Sprat Feed Store.
Another photograph shows the former city hall, jail and fire department, which was located just off the west side of the Square near the current office for Holton Parks and Recreation.
“The building had a bell tower and bell at the top to notify people about fires,” Wichman said.
The main building of Campbell College is also shown in one of the photographs.
“After they used it as the college, the building served as the high school for a while,” he said.
The Logan and Friend Lumberyard of Soldier was another image Wichman showed the commissioners. The picture was provided to him by Jerry and Nina Reed of Soldier.
Another image shows downtown Soldier storefronts and streets covered in snow on Thanksgiving Day in 1929.
When framed, the larger photographs measure 29½ x 17½ inches and will include a typed description on the history of the image, it was reported.
The commissioners agreed that the current photographs on display are a nice addition to the Courthouse.
“I see people looking at them all the time,” said Commissioner Rob Ladner.
The commissioners are expected to move their meeting chamber to the first floor of the Courthouse later this year in the large meeting room that previously housed the offices for the Meadowlark Extension District, it was reported.
Due to a variety of wall space, the commissioners and Jackson County Clerk Kathy Mick discussed the need for smaller images, such as the 11 x 14 framed images Wichman provided.
In other business, according to the approved minutes, the commission:
* Met with Eric Fritz, road and bridge department co-supervisor, to discuss the possibility of placing an antenna at the future road and bridge shop for the department’s radio system.
Commissioner Bill Elmer said he was advised that the county only needed an antenna that would bounce off of a repeater in order for the radios to work properly. Elmer said he was also planning to attend a radio communications meeting that week and would gather more information.
* Learned from Fritz that the department employees are currently stockpiling two-inch rock at the future shop.
* Met in executive session for 15 minutes with Fritz to discuss a personnel matter. Back in open session, the commissioners agreed to update the existing security system at the new road and bridge shop.
* Approved the $2,700 bid from King and Associates Engineering of Holton to conduct a dam inspection at Banner Creek Reservoir.
* Heard a weekly report from John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir director. The revenues from Feb. 14 -20 were $529.65
* Approved Kennedy’s request to transfer the John Deere 6620 tractor from the noxious weed department’s inventory to Banner Creek. Kennedy stated that he would like to sell the piece of equipment, which has been used at the reservoir for many years.
* Met with Anna Wilhelm from the Tourism Board of Directors and Elise McLeod, Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce director.
McLeod reported that she received three bids for website services for the Chamber and tourism in Jackson County. She recommended the lower bid of $7,200 submitted by Gary Piland of Auburn. The commissioners agreed to the expense.
* Discussed implementing a contract between the tourism board and the Holton/Jackson County Chamber. Currently, the two are interconnected and it is sometimes difficult to decipher which organization is in charge of what. The contract would outline what the tourism board expects from the Chamber and how much it will pay for the services.
* Met with county resident Roy Calhoun who expressed his concern with the condition of 222nd Road.
* Met with Brett Bauer, Holton city manager, and Kerwin McKee, assistant city manager to discuss the current agreement between the city and Banner Creek Reservoir about waste water rates.
The men said that the city had not raised the rates for the county in several years and that the rates would be higher this year.
Kennedy previously reported that Banner Creek Reservoir is not charged for water usage from the city, but the reservoir department is charged a sewer fee.
Between March and September of 2015, the total sewer charge was $1,147.50.
The reservoir department is charged for water from Jackson County Rural Water District No. 3. The water district has two meters located at the reservoir, one on the north side and one on the south side.
The city also charges the reservoir department for electricity. The 2015 total for electricity was $13,900.45.
* Met in executive session with Chad Phillips, Courthouse custodian, for 15 minutes to conduct his employee evaluation. No action was taken back in open session.
* Set a road hearing for 10 a.m. on March 14 to discuss opening a 40-foot road right-of-way near Jackson Heights schools.
* Signed the payroll change notices for Mark Wohlin (payroll increase as a sheriff's patrol employee), Paul M. Wilcox Jr. (new hire at recycling) and Wade Cormier (new hire at road and bridge).
The commissioners were also notified that Deputy Brittany Clarke had changed her mind about resigning from the sheriff's office.
* Signed a purchase order for eight macro blinds from Carpet One of Topeka at a cost of $2,936 for the new road and bridge department building. A purchase order was also approved for a copier from Logan Business Machines of Topeka at a cost of $4,399. The item was for the clerk’s office.
* Adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
