The Logan County Commission discussed its new clean up ordinance that should start taking effect as soon as grant money is brought in to help tear down dilapidated buildings at their second December meeting.

Commission President Art Kirkendoll said he felt that a lot of places will get cleaned up and that the commission is looking for grant money, economic stimulus money and urban renewal money to help tear down some of the initial 200 or so dilapidated structures.

“I want to assure everyone this program will go forward,” Kirkendoll said. “It will take a lot of hard work from a lot of people but we are going to do it.”

Kirkendoll said he had spoke with leaders in Charleston and that Logan was “ahead of the curve” with its ordinance.

Earlier this year the commission approved and finalized a planned ordinance that addresses the issue by finding dilapidated structures, seeking out the owners, notifying them that their property has been condemned and giving them time to come up with a plan for renovating or removing such structures.

Grant funds would come into effect in cases where the owners refuse to remove the dilapidated structures and possibly a lien would be filed against the owners to recover removal and destruction costs.

The commission also approved financial assistance to help Logan-Mingo Mental Health in purchasing a used van that is handicapped equipped. Kirkendoll said that Bob Mays seldom comes to the commission asking for help and that if he wanted it, he felt the commission should provide it.

“They currently have a 95 model with 300,000 miles on it,” Kirkendoll said. “A new one customized would cost around $40,000. However, they have found a 2004 model and all they are asking from us to help them get it is $10,000 and I think we should help them. They can get years of service out of it and provide some care for folks who need it most. I think it is a good project and we can fund it out of our coal severance funding.”

The commission also looked into a request for funding from the Destiny Center at Man. Commissioners discussed providing another $5000 funding to the center for the upcoming year.

President Kirkendoll discussed the new system for approving Court Marshalls with the commission. He noted that judges Roger Perry and Eric O’Briant had requested some input into the hirings and a committee had been formed including Deputy Kent Dingess, Chief Probation Officer Charlie Brown, and Commissioner Willie Akers to interview applicants. Kirkendoll said the last two applicants hired turned out to be very qualified as both were former corrections officers and had experience and training.

“Mike Farmer and Jerri Lynn Sigmond were pretty qualified people,” Kirkendoll said.

In other county commission news:

• Erroneous assessments were signed.

•president Kirkendoll said Amy Turner had called to reschedule her presentation before the commission due to bad weather. Turner was going to speak on the Crossroads Recovery Home for women.

•Commission approved a $500 grant for the Logan High School Lady Wildcats Boosters.