July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Poll workers deny accusations

Jay County Commissioners

Jefferson Township voters will get to keep casting ballots close to home after all.

Poll workers from the township precinct met with the Jay County Commissioners this morning to refute claims of their misuse of the Jay County Scout Facility. Those concerns were brought to the commissioners last week by Jay County Clerk Ellen Coats after receiving the complaints from Dan Daniels, who is in charge of the scout facility.

Fred and Virginia Jackson approached the commissioners this morning to respond and also suggested that, if improvements can be made, that the Jefferson Township polling place be changed to the Jay County Conservation Club instead of moving to the Jay Community Center in Portland, as approved last week.

"The place was in good shape," said Fred Jackson. "It was clean."

The Jacksons said that accusations that poll workers left a mess, moved furniture and didn't put it back into place, and burned coffee pots, among others, were false.

Fred Jackson said he had heard from several Jefferson Township residents who would prefer the polling place remains in the township, sparking the idea to move it to the conservation club.

"They would like to have it back," he said.

Virginia Jackson said that a fundraising campaign would be started to obtain the money needed to make the club handicapped accessible, which could cost about $1,500.

The commissioners agreed that it would be more convenient for the voters if the polling place could be kept closer to their homes.

"I'd rather keep it in the township if we can," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr.

"I know we can get it done," said Virginia Jackson. "... We'd like to push to have it done by the end of the July."

Coats said she wasn't sure how soon before the election she would need to inform voters of their polling location, but thought that six week would be sufficient.

The commissioners approved changing the venue to the conservation club with the expectation that the improvements to the facility will be made in time.

"I'm glad to see you're taking an interest to keep it there," said commissioner Faron Parr.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Made a recommendation that M&E Construction, Portland, be hired to replace the roof on the existing Jay County Jail building at a cost of $15,250. The company was the lowest of four quotes received by Jeff Badders of SchenkelShultz for the job.

Badders will present the quotes and the recommendation to the Jay County Building Corporation board at its next meeting.

•Added a no thru trucks designation to county road 300 West between Ind. 26 and county road 75 South west of Portland by amending the county's truck ordinance.[[In-content Ad]]
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