Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Daniell plans more improvement, will seek second term

Not only does Clark County Judge Ron Daniell have plans to better the county in 2004, but he also plans to run for a second term as county judge.

Daniell reported the year of 2003 being an interesting one with this being his first year in office.

"Business ran smoothly until the flash flooding in the county. This turn of events slowed us down, but we worked through it; then we got with the program. We hauled gravel to parts of the county that have not seen gravel in years. We were also able to pea gravel and asphalt several roads," said Daniell.

"I refer to 'we' because if it were not for road superintendent Lewis Bledsoe and the employees at the road department, our progress would have been impossible. Their teamwork and leadership have played vital roles in our success during 2003."

Daniell has been pleased with his working relationship with the Clark County Quorum Court members.

Daniell has several goals for 2004, which include gravel, pea gravel, asphalt and working with quorum court members to solve jail issues.

One of the main things on many county quorum court members and other county officials minds at this time is the construction and operation of a county jail expansion.

Sheriff Troy Tucker has expressed his wishes of gaining a new facility. He and Daniell's plan to work together to see what can be done.

The county is reportedly spending thousands of dollars a month to transport inmates to other facilities. Some of those other facilities charge more than $50 per day to hold the inmates. The price can double if an inmate is a juvenile.

Some other items on Daniell's wish list for 2004 are; more industry, more roads and more money to build new facilities.

Daniell said the county could have everything if money were no object, but felt the county was doing well on it's own.

Daniell wants to focus on bringing more jobs to the area because he feels it would help everybody.

Daniell recently reported the county allowing $500,000 for paving projects in 2004. However, he is concerned about time and manpower to get everything he wishes to get done.

Throughout Daniell's term as county judge and even before he has been involved with Gurdon and the surrounding areas, not just placing emphasis on one particular area of Clark County.

Prior to Daniell's term as county judge, he was involved in community meetings concerning the proposed landfill in the Smithton community. He has made it known of his opposition to the proposal and has continued to fight against it, although the subject has somewhat diminished in the past few months.

Daniell has worked in some communities to make bridges safer, put in new culverts and haul in gravel.

One of the most noticeable improvements is the placement of road signs around the county. Not just the 9-1-1 road signs, but signs warning of children playing, sharp curves, and others.

As judge it is his responsibility to work with all of Clark County and not just show attention in one area.

Daniell has been pleased with the confidence people placed in him by electing him to office. He assured everyone, his office door would always remain open.