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By Angel Perkins Staff Writer ARGOS — The delay in the Argos library’s moving to its new location was questioned, with the council explaining that there was indeed another sticky situation. “We’re dealing with legal issues with that too,” said George Null, council president.
Town Attorney Ron Gifford explained there is a controversy between the contractor, the architect and library officials over the new building. “Legislation changed so they had to wait until July 1,” Gifford said, in response to selling $250,000 in bonds for construction purposes. Selling the bonds is in order to assure the building is safe and sound for filling with the present library building’s contents. “If the state says ‘No’ and we have to pay it back or we have to pay to get back into it we’re losing about $250,000. Even if the town borrows money to pay back the loan, they may recoup it should litigation decisions end in their favor,” he said. “They’ve been working on it for a long time,” said Null. In other business, another resident attending the last regular town council meeting, Suzanne Umbaugh, worried about the town’s loss of “trained, qualified and dedicated employees.” Null explained that Monte McCollough (assistant utilities superintendent) and Frank Harley (town maintenance employee) had retired, that Jeff Gonce (wastewater plant operator) plans to retire in January, that Adam Gray left the police force to start his own restaurant and that Pam Bishop, former town clerk-treasurer, left to work for the Argos Schools. He added that Kim Smock was hired to replace Gonce when he leaves, Phil Johanan had been hired to come on to the electric department (as of July 14) and Patty Jones has accepted the clerk-treasurer’s appointment. Null thanked Umbaugh for her concern and explained, “Each employee is free to pursue other avenues if they want to. We are currently going through a transition period where we will be losing some employees and bringing new ones in.”
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