County to hire housekeepers to clean new recreation center

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Jackson County commissioners learned June 20 that two of the bids for janitorial services at the new center came in more than twice what was expected; the third was submitted by an individual who was not bonded nor did she carry workers' compensation insurance, said county Manager Ken Westmoreland.

Since bids from Webster Enterprises ($59,904) and REACH of Jackson County ($62,855) were higher than expected, Westmoreland suggested the board hire additional county staff members to work approximately 60 hours a week cleaning the Recreation Center.

The Recreation Center opened this spring with hours of 6:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. Sundays. Housekeeping staff are expected to be in the facility from 3-11 p.m. during the week and on a part-time basis on Saturdays, said recreation director Jeff Carpenter.

With little in the way of promotions, the center has already attracted a core group, Carpenter said.

"We're really excited. It's working really well," he said, commenting that about 75 people used the facility's weight room and gym on Friday.

Other action taken by commissioners concerning the rec center was to award a $106,000 contract to Parker Paving for paving the parking lot. That work should get under way within two weeks, Carpenter said.

Though they once again spent considerable time discussing the Heritage Hills senior living center, commissioners reached no decision on a funding request for rental space within the community. In an effort to consolidate services for seniors, the county Council on Aging joined the planning committee to develop Heritage Hills. The committee recommended services like those being offered at the Golden Age Senior Center and the Community Service Center's lunch meal program be moved to the new Dillsboro development. Cost to rent space at Heritage Hills would be about $108,000, more than 10 times what the county is currently spending on senior services.

"That was a monumental increase," said board Chairman Jay Denton. "That's like what the school system requests."

But accommodations proposed at Heritage Hills would meet seniors' needs, which are not being met now, said committee member Irene Hooper.

"With that kind of commitment of funds, I'd like to see a facility that serves a wider population," Denton said. "And I'm not for waiting on the people who move in here. I'm for the ones who toughed it out, those who pay their North Carolina and Jackson County taxes."

"We've talked about this type of facility for years. I'd like our board to think positive about something we can do to help," Commissioner Conrad Burrell said. "Used to be that our elderly were happy to sit on the front porch and rock and eat three meals a day.

"It's not that way anymore," Burrell continued. "Seniors are living longer because they are more active."

At this point, board members requested Westmoreland look closer at what is being requested and if the county can consider other options.

Though not going into what prompted it, Chairman Denton asked board members to prepare for a discussion about the county's noise ordinance.

"There are a lot of us who would be in violation, especially if we have a dog that barks," Denton said. "There are some parts of (the ordinance) that are unreasonable, especially considering the rural nature of our community... I'm ashamed I haven't brought it up before."

Jackson County commissioners would have regularly met tonight (Thursday); but due to the Fourth of July holiday, their next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Justice Center.

Back to Archive: 07/04/02.