Fire alarm system needed at senior center

By KARLA POMEROY
South Big Horn Senior Citizens Director Laurie Royal requested funds to fix the fire alarm system at the South Big Horn Senior Center.
Royal made her request before the Big Horn County Commissioners last week during their regular meeting. She said she came before the commissioners in 2006 when it was discovered during a routine inspection that the fire alarm/suppression system was not working as it should. At the time they did not have a price for the commissioners to budget. For the 2008 fiscal year, they submitted a budget request for about $2,800. Last year they submitted a request for $3,500 with the cost increasing. This year they have a quote from KENCO of Cody for $4,333.93.
“We’re not being irresponsible when we ask for help,” Royal said, adding that the Big Horn County Public Health is housed at the center, along with many other public meetings and events.
Royal said the South Big Horn Senior Citizens have also made improvements to the building on their own, including replacing the flooring in the dining room and kitchen in 2003, revamping the heating, ventilation and air conditioning in 2005 with additional repairs this year.
“This is a big need. We are at the point where we don’t have a method of securing the funding,” Royal said.
Chairman Scotty Hinman said he recognized the need and that the county should help try to address the problem. The commissioners directed Royal to work with the Grants Administration Office to see if there is Homeland Security grant funding that could help with the project and if not, to submit an official budget request for the 2010 fiscal year by May 15.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Postponed action on two liquor license renewals — for Big Horn Mountain Resorts doing business as Deer Haven and Meadowlark lodges. The commissioners asked Big Horn County Attorney Georgia Antley Hunt to review what options the commissioners have regarding the renewal since the businesses are currently closed and up for sale. The commissioners expressed interest in making sure the licenses were available for purchase from anyone who may purchase the lodges.
• Approved the liquor licenses for the other eight establishments in Big Horn County. Sheriff Ken Blackburn said he recommended approval on all eight, but did note that the Oasis Bar just outside of Lovell had 16 calls for service over the past year, but added that the owner has worked well with law enforcement.