Roof and Wire Problems at County Jail

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Perry County Sheriff Keith Kellerman sat down with the county commissioners Thursday with grim news--parts of the county jail are falling to pieces.

With a letter from a Carbondale based architectural firm in hand, Kellerman said that due to deteriorating roof trusses half of the roof system needs to be completely redone. There are also interior problems.

The jail was constructed under two options: use flame retardant lumber or install a sprinkler system. At the time, flame retardant lumber was the economical choice, but the treatment used damaged the trusses over time.

"They must not of done a lot of research on the lumber back then," Kellerman said as he described how portions of the lumber is crumbling in his hands.

The jail has had patchwork done over the years but it never solved the overall problem.

"We need to fix the problem or it will be passed on to the next generation," Commissioner Jim Epplin stated.

The sheriff and the council discussed work on the roof and a possible sprinkler system as well at the building's old electronic system which controls all the doors . the wiring is now sub-standard, as well.

Kellerman said he is getting estimates on the work for the board.

Other items covered on the agenda:

Ratified the chairman's appointment of Chairman Bobby Kelly and Bruce Cope to the Perry County Housing Authority board.

Tabled the chairman's appointment of a member to the Perry County Board of Health. At the last meeting the council approved the continuing service of Chairman Kelly and Dr. Beth Bigham on the board but commissioners are still looking for a replacement for Bonnie Tolbert.

Approved raffle licenses for Du Quoin Youth Club, Perry Co. Historical Society and American Cancer: Relay for Life.