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New radio communications LAURA CAMPER
said. “Our walkie-talkies, which we call our handhelds, they’re basically use-
cers were involved in a police chase
But those problems may soon come cies are testing digital radio systems and the 800 megahertz radio systems used in Calhoun County to see if they can solve the communication
shootout in Oxford. behind the suspect, who had already shot at them, their radio couldn’t reach Oxford’s dispatch to tell the department “He had to use his cell phone to notiCommunication issues have plagued Cleburne County law enforcement plied with a Federal Communications Commission mandate to narrow-band tor Michael Gore. “Communications was cut in half and that in theory is what it’s designed to do,” Gore said. But since the change, much of the southern and northern parts of the county are dead spots where the radios can be four miles apart from each other but can’t communicate with each other, he added.
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already tested both and they were a huge improvement, he said. The county has searched for a solution to the communication problems for at least 18 months, said County Administrator Steve Swafford. At alog system the county has used for ference, Swafford said. Eventually, Swafford said, the county found the interference was coming through the uplink, the ground to the tower. To cut down on the interference the county from its Borden Springs tower, which county, to the Turkey Heaven tower which serves the entire county. Then it moved the Turkey Heaven uplink tower, Swafford said. “That cut out all of the interference,” Swafford said. But it didn’t cut out the coverage
County reviews proposed budget
cit budget, but the county administrator said Thursday that is a good thing. County Administrator Steve Swafford said
county has planned for next year and will be paid for with money the county has set aside this year.
Misty Pointer
Tower at Turkey Heaven Mountain problem, he added. David Butts, sales manager for McCord Communications, one of the companies vying for Cleburne County’s business, said that public safety orga-
bad thing,” Swafford said. “To me it means a lot more work going on.” The county is predicting a slight increase in revenue up to $6.8 million. However, under the proposed budget it will spend about $7.7 million. That is slightly more — $37,283 more — than the $7.6 million budget the county is operating under this year. The increase is the product of a 2.5 percent across-the-board raise for county employees and $400,000 set aside for
million in Rural Assistance Match Program and Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program grants. The grants were awarded to replace up to 12 bridges in the county. But the county will have to come up with some money to create plans and do preparatory work for the new bridges. Swafford said the county set aside a one-time payment from the state Capital Improvement
■ See Tower page 8
a good portion of that expense. So although the
already in the bank and ready to use, he added. “We have always tried as much as possible to pay as you go,” Swafford said.
come up, that can make the budget look as if the county is spending more than it takes in, he said. But it actually is using money it has already received, Swafford said. The other option
the much-needed bridge work, he added. The commissioners are scheduled to discuss the proposed budget at their next work session on Tuesday. Commissioner Bobby Brooks said he would prefer to wait until the meeting to talk about the budget. Commissioner Emmett Owen said he had raises? But Owen said he thought the budget looked swered in the meeting. Owen didn’t think any
Misty Pointer
Tracy Ervin honored
he said. “We’ll get it all ironed out,” Owen said. Commissioner Laura Cobb said she thought the budget was “a little too high.” “I’m really concerned about the costs,” Cobb said.
going through the county budget process and she was learning.
Before Friday nights Cleburne County Weaver football game. Tracey Ervin was honored with a plaque given to his brother Frank Ervin by Coach Ron Ervin. Tracey Ervin was Cleburne County’s long time stadium announcer and sports columnist for The Cleburne News. Tracy passed away earlier this year.
ley were unsuccessful. Staff Writer Laura Camper 256-463-2872. On Twitter @LCamper_Star.
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