Clarkson City Commission met in regular session Tuesday, Aug. 19 to finalize the Land and Water Conservation grant discussed in a special called meeting the Thursday before. The final cost of the grant is $57,213. The 50/50 grant would leave just over $28,000 for the city to pay, yet donations to the city for the projects in the grant already total more than $23,000. Approval was voted four to one with Henry Johnson the only commissioner in opposition.

The city should hear something about the grant in late 2004.

The next item of business on the agenda was the purchase of a truck for the sewer system. Mayor Bonnie Henderson said the need for a new truck was briefly discussed in the last executive meeting on July 15. Henderson justified the purchase because one city truck gets bad gas mileage, has a warped wheel, needs the driver's seat replaced, and has no air conditioning. After the meeting, Henderson also cited a smell in the vehicle and computer problems. Although all four commissioners disagreed with the purchase, Henderson pushed for a vote. The commissioners stood together in a four-to-one vote to table the issue until an estimate to fix the old truck was obtained.

Roberta Adams from Clarkson Elementary School approached the council to request their participation in the online KEYS Survey through the National Education Association and Kentucky Education Association.

"I think the school and city share an interest in making the school the best possible," said Adams.

Because it is online it can be taken anywhere Internet access is available. Clarkson residents can find the survey at www.keysonline.org. The school will be open after school hours for community participants during the week of Aug. 25-29 with teachers available to answer questions. Visit www.gcnewsgazette.com for the full story on the school page.

City employee Scott Smith asked the commission to reconsider his raise.

"I feel $8 an hour is almost an insult," said Smith. Smith asked the city to "split the difference at $8.50 an hour." No motion was made and no action was taken.

Carl Ball suggested cutting out any unnecessary construction due to the city's financial situation. Henderson then suggested finishing some driveways and tiles and repairing the walking track at the park. A motion was made to have Carter's Paving patch some holes if a reasonable price was received for the work. The motion passed three to two with David Strader and Henry Johnson voting against it.