Pike County Quorum Court Addresses Cabin Concerns and Assessor’s Office Complaints
Earlier this week, the Pike County Quorum Court convened for their regular monthly meeting, during which several important topics were discussed, including the future of a historical log cabin and concerns regarding the Assessor’s Office phone system.
Judge Eddie Howard opened the meeting by presenting findings about the log cabin situated in City Park. Originally purchased in 1976 with grant funding to establish a historical museum, the cabin has deteriorated significantly since its opening in June 1978. Howard expressed concerns about the structure’s condition, describing it as nearly beyond repair, and sought the court’s opinion on the possibility of demolishing the cabin and salvaging its logs. Several individuals have expressed interest in the logs, prompting Justice of the Peace (JP) suggestions for the judge to consult local archives and the Glenwood Department for any historical contents they might want to retain.
Another key issue addressed was a citizen complaint regarding the phone answering system in the Assessor’s Office. Although the citizen could not attend, Justice Johnny Plyler relayed that he had received a detailed phone call from a retirement home owner who reported difficulties in getting timely responses to calls and delays in deed updates, which have affected residents’ access to Medicare benefits. Assessor Staci Stewart, present at the meeting, clarified that her office had resolved the citizen’s complaint but acknowledged ongoing issues with the phone system.
Stewart explained that the current phone setup only provides operational hours and does not allow for leaving messages. This change was made after past problems with residents leaving sensitive information that could not be verified.
Additionally, Stewart requested $5,813.10 in part-time funding for the remainder of the year to support the hiring of Beckie Alden, who is responsible for digitizing surveys into a newly acquired system. JPs raised questions regarding the differences between scanned documents and their paper counterparts, but no formal action was taken on the funding request.
