Mold makes work tough

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Mold makes work tough

Branson Daily News - Branson,MO

By Donna Clevenger

BDN Staff Writer

dclevenger@...

http://www.bransondailynews.com/story.php?storyID=3990

FORSYTH — Moving into new offices for the Taney County District

Sewer office and Planning and Zoning can't wait for the completion

of the new Judicial Center.

Both offices are located directly under the jail in the courthouse,

and working conditions have gone beyond unpleasant to hazardous

because of the frequent heavy rains, according to county officials.

The mold resulting from water leaking into the jail from the roof

and a drain has reached the point that Planning and Zoning

Administrator Kurt Larson and staff member Eddie ie have written

a notification to the county commission that the working conditions

have become intolerable.

Office personnel have reportedly been experiencing lingering flu-

like symptoms, which they are now attributing to the dampness from

the repeated flooding in the building.

The jail apparently flooded again in the downpour last weekend.

Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel stated he would call in a

professional to see if the offices could be cleaned and a contractor

to see what could be done about the flooding.

" We've been put on notice, " Pennel said.

Discussion concerning an alternative office building for the two

offices turned serious after the letter was made public at the

county commissioner's meeting on Monday.

In addition to the mold, the two offices are experiencing odor from

the drains. Sheriff Jimmy reported that inmates had been

flushing items of clothing down the stools, causing a back up. He

had began a different method of checking whose clothing was missing,

by making the inmates check them in and out.

" We can put on more staff to monitor the prisoners around the

clock, " said, " because we'll have to have them at the new

facility anyway. "

The most troublesome part of moving the offices is the need for

fiberoptic connection, especially for the sewer district because of

their online billing needs on the various sewer projects.

The county will begin an immediate search for new office space, and

bids have already gone out to repair the jail roof.