County to give $2,500 to Red Flag Horseless Carriage Tour

By STEPH TAHTINEN

Mt. Pleasant News

Henry County will be giving $2,500 towards the Red Flag Horseless Carriage Tour, set to take place Sept. 26-29.

?I think it?s well worth the effort for us to help that cause,? commented Supervisor Marc Lindeen at the board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday morning.

Lindeen made the proposal to give the money to the event. The supervisors had previously received a request from the event organizers for funding, but the supervisors had not given an answer.

?I just know that we never had it in the minutes,? said Lindeen.

The supervisors all agreed on their support of this event, as it will promote tourism within Henry County.

?I think it has the potential of being lucrative for Henry County on many levels,? said Supervisor Chairman Kent White. White and his wife have also personally contributed to the tour.

Lindeen added that if the event proves to be successful this year, there is the potential for it to grow next year.

?This is just sort of a prelude of what could come,? said Lindeen.

The Red Flag Horseless Carriage Tour will feature vehicles from the early 1900s. There are three days of tours arranged, with plans to hit every town in Henry County.

More information on the tour can be found at www.redflagmotortour.com.

In other business, the supervisors discussed the potential sale of a county-owned railroad right of way north of Winfield in Scott Township.

Planning and Zoning Director Joe Buffington explained that he had been contacted by Dave Becker, who has purchased the old depot. Now Becker is interested in purchasing this land that runs behind the county shed.

The supervisors told Buffington to move forward, which involves contacting adjacent landowners and holding a public hearing on the sale of this property to allow others to make an offer.

The supervisors also:

- Heard a weekly update from County Engineer Bill Belzer.

- Heard a monthly report from Conservation Director John Pullis.

- Approved the recorder and sheriff?s quarterly reports

The supervisors will be holding a meeting in Rome on April 17 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is one of the series the supervisors have held in smaller communities around the county to give the residents a chance to meet with the board at a place and time more convenient to them.