Leach Carroll County veterans have a new leader to help them with resources. After being served for decades by recently retired Bob Morrow, Larry Leach of Rock Creek Township was appointed to fill the position at the Monday morning commissioners meeting.

Leach, originally from Cass County, is a Purdue University graduate in Electrical Engineering. He retired in 2004 from an Air Force testing facility in Tennessee. He and his wife, the former Judy Bowman, who graduated from Deer Creek High School, decided to return to her family's homestead in Carroll County after retirement. Leach said the couple has three adult sons and has been married 43 years.

Leach said he is looking forward to beginning his duty of service to area veterans.

"I've got a lot to learn," he said Monday.

Leach will begin his new job Aug. 4. He said he intends to computerize the office and provide the best quality service possible.

EDIT funding

Amid vocal protests about a $45,000 proposed distribution of 2008 Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) to the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, commissioners approved the proposed spending plan without changes.

"Why should taxpayers' dollars be used for a private organization?" asked audience member Carl Perry.

Commissioners president Loren Hylton explained that money appropriated to the chamber was for economic development activities. He said the commissioners gave the group seed money three years ago with the understanding it would be self-sufficient in two years.

"The mission of the chamber is to sustain and retain local businesses," said chamber director Sana Booker. "Becoming independent is taking a little more time than they (organizers) thought."

Perry said based on projected income from an expected increase in EDIT, and a spending plan recommended by the chamber, that organization would receive close to 20 percent of the overall EDIT budget in 2009.

"I don't have any rebuttal at all to what you said," commissioner Bill Brown told Perry after reviewing the figures provided.

"We're supporting an organization that businesses can get help from," said commissioner George Mears.

After a question about a countygenerated job description for the EDC director, Brown explained the director is not a county employee. He further stated there is no approval required from commissioners for the person selected to fill the position.

Mears moved to accept the spending plan as developed, which was based in large part on county chamber recommendations. Brown provided the second noting a concern about the lack of independence on the part of the chamber. The motion was unanimously approved.

Highway department

Bridge inspector Leo Rumschalg, while providing annual inspection reports, was questioned about an exception to the weight limit on the Burnett's Creek Arch. Mears said in discussions with Canal Interpretive Center representatives he learned it was desirable to allow tour busses, well over the load limit, use the bridge.

Rumschalg explained there were stones missing from the middle of the bottom of the foundation that would prohibit a 15-ton vehicle from using the bridge. He said there were questions about the bridge's structural integrity.

"I can't imagine how to get an exception," he said. "I don't see a way to get around it (the weight limit)."

Highway superintendent Ron Francis reported Bridge 129 on CR600W north of SR25 is open after being closed for more than three years. The deck was replaced and the road was widened.

He said work would begin this week on culvert 2227 on CR825N, east of Yeoman, and he said Wilson Bridge "looks really nice."

Grinding roads in Ockley and Owasco is complete and the roads will receive a coat of chip and seal. Francis said it will cost the county approximately $25,000 per mile for the material for the work.

Other business

Carroll County Historical Society was granted permission to use the courthouse and grounds Aug. 6 to 9 during Old Settlers.

The next meeting will be Aug. 4 at 9 a.m.