CHARLESTON -- Gates will be going up on the new No. 7 road.
During the regular County Commission meeting Thursday, several people owning land near the road or their representatives met with commissioners to advise of their intention to permit the Conservation Department to erect two gates on the road which is located near the conservation area near Dorena.
Attending the meeting were Nathan Ault, Charles Johnson, Alvin Marcum, Glenn Ault, Renee Dekriek, Milus Gary Wallace and Jonjo Bryant.
Commissioners have been asked several times over the years to restrict traffic on portions of the road because some people tear up the road and nearby farm fields while "mudding" with four-wheelers.
Mississippi County commissioners decided during their regular meeting Feb. 14 that the county would not close the road as several county residents asked them to keep it open to provide easier access to the conservation land for hunting.
Also, commissioners noted, that while the county has performed occasional maintenance on the road, it really is not a county road.
"I researched it," Commissioner Martin Lucas said. "The county has no recorded easement."
"That's their road so I guess they can close it," Presiding Commissioner Jim Blumenberg said. He predicted, however, that the ATV riders will tear down the gates or find a way around them.
The landowners said those who do go around the gates or tear them down can be prosecuted for doing so.
Blumenberg said the Sheriff's Department doesn't have the resources to regularly patrol that area and that he thinks they should only be in the area to respond to calls.
Sheriff Keith Moore said his department will need a key to the gates so the gated-off portion of the road can be accessed in emergencies.
The portion of the road which will remain accessible will still provide access to the new No. 7 chute, a popular fishing location, landowners said.
In other business Thursday:
* Mississippi County will participate in a grant program that will equip local counties with emergency management equipment trailers.
The Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission has applied for a grant to put 8-by-18-foot trailers in participating counties, each of which will contain 150 cots, 400 blankets, five water containers, five food storage containers, a portable lighting system and a tent, according to County Clerk Junior DeLay.
The trailer will be provided to the county at no cost but the county will be required to maintain inventory control, insure the trailer and agree that, in the event of an emergency, the trailer will be taken to the emergency area.
* Lucas asked Moore if the Sheriff's Department could patrol the area around Millar Road (County Road 413) as motorists are regularly traveling at dangerous speeds there well over the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
"I don't want people getting tickets," he said, but added that he hopes "a presence out there" may get motorists to slow down to a safer speed.
* Jeff Glenn of the Delta asphalt and concrete company in Cape Girardeau advised commissioners he has been asked by his company to focus on community development work and would like to help commissioners increase the county's transportation infrastructure.