Future of Civil War Cannons discussed with commission

Commissioners Dave Neves and Bruce Jolley were approached by Clayton Draggoo and John Bubla of American Legion Post #29 to discuss the Civil War cannons in front of the library in Basin. 

Draggoo explained, “Many moons ago before I was born, the American Legion gave the county the civil war cannons, which are prominently displayed out here by the street. Those are relics of a bygone area and yet represent our collective culture heritage/history.” 

Draggoo said a few years ago the Post fundraised to do maintenance/repair work on the cannons. The cost was nearly $15,000. This included new wheels on both the cannons and the caissons. Also done was replacing any wood that had rot and painting. All the work was done by volunteers including legion members and boy scouts. 

Draggoo noted that the issue that has come up since the work was done is the county sprinkler system at the library. The water sprays the cannons.  Six or seven years ago, he investigated designing shelters to enclose the cannons. Moving the cannons to in front of the courthouse was also
considered. Nothing ever came of it. 

As the members of the Post have gotten older and some of passed away, Draggoo is concerned that the Legion won’t be able to do a restore project again. Only one WWII veteran is left among the members. 

Draggoo again expressed concern over the sprinkler system and said he hopes the county will address this before the system is turned on again. Bubla pointed out that even if the sprinklers are adjusted from not directly hitting the cannons, the wind carries the water. Snow is a problem, too. He is going to repaint the cannons with a special paint and fix any rotten wood again. 

County Clerk Lori Smallwood suggested that the county include a cannon project for the county’s semi-quincentennial grant application. Commissioners Dave Neves and Bruce Jolley agreed. 

AIRPORTS/LAND PLANNING

Airport manager Paul Thur told the commission that the airport board asked that the commission officially appoint Bob Hawkins and Todd Simmons to the board. This would make the board a seven-person board. Thur said both Hawkins and Simmons are interested in serving. The commission voted to appoint Hawkins and Simmons. 

Thur reported that the third and final meeting for the airports Master Plan is April 9. It will be at the Cowley airport pilot’s lounge. 

He put in a request for an instrument approach for a runway at Cowley with FAA. There will be no cost to the county. 

For land planning Thur explained that he and Stephanie May are working on subdivision policy update. They had a request for an RV park. The current policy does not include RV parks and a mobile home subdivision application.