By By JOHN DILMORE JR. Publisher
Salesmen will no longer be allowed to peddle their wares inside the Escambia County Courthouse.
The county commission adopted a strict "No Soliciting" policy at its meeting Monday. The policy was prompted by a growing problem with salespeople soliciting business from courthouse employees during working hours.
Commissioner David Stokes pointed out that the policy left room to be amended as needed. For instance, Girl Scouts selling cookies, church or civic club representatives looking for sponsors and other similar groups are not the intended targets of the ordinance.
It is foreseen that exceptions will be made for them as required.
In other news, the commission:
Grant's concerns regarding loud music prompted discussion of what the county could do to create and enforce a noise ordinance. That's currently not within the commission's purview, but legislation pending before the State senate would change that.
Smith also stated that he intends to hire a deputy who lives in the community, thereby giving the area a more consistent law enforcement presence.
The expansion will also, he said, have the effect of making that stretch of highway safer for motorists.
Appointed were Yank Lovelace of Brewton, Bob Jones of Atmore and J.R. Jones of Flomaton.
The idea behind the Tri-County project is to bring in an employer that would provide jobs to the entire immediate region – Escambia, Conecuh and Monroe Counties.
Williamson and County Engineer John Wallace said that the grading problem would be addressed, and that the county would look into helping with drainage problems also plaguing the area.
The subject of dirt roads prompted discussion on the topic. There are 500 miles of dirt roads in the county, and currently no funds available for paving any of them. There has been no new paving since 1993.