Gazebo Issue Finally Put To Rest

As promised, the group dedicated to saving what amounted to the roof of the Crawford County Courthouse gazebo had it removed Wednesday, putting to rest an issue that has dominated commission meetings the last two months.

The group raised money to have a crane brought in from Rolla and it is being stored elsewhere until the commission can have a new structure constructed. 

Due to Tuesday’s election, the commission did not meet. Plans have not been announced yet for when the new gazebo will be built. Removing the old gazebo was important since it presented a liability to taxpayers. As previously reported in the Independent News, Midwest Public Risk — the county’s liability management — said if someone got hurt on the gazebo, it would have been hard to defend in court. The county would have to move to settlement.

The commission originally planned in late summer to have the entire gazebo torn down. The gazebo, which was decades-old, was leaning into the corner of the courthouse. During the September 4 meeting, District 1 Foreman Danny Brown showed options from 5 Star Buildings. Using money from the risk reimbursement pool, the commission figured using $5,200 to have a new gazebo built. County workers would lay a foundation.

Before those plans could go into motion, the “Save the Crawford County Bandstand” group stepped forward. In late September, those members met with the commission and urged them to try and preserve it.

Presiding Commissioner Leo Sanders told the group they needed to have a plan in the next couple of weeks due to safety issues.

On October 9, Kevin Parr of Midwest Public Risk recommended the commission remove the structure and listed several deficiencies. 

A week later, Kevin Green, one of the group members, implied that County Clerk John Martin was trying to hinder its efforts. The commission told Green that they had to take MPR’s report seriously. Green was given permission to contact Parr.

On October 23, Parr was grilled by Green for his report. Green questioned the timing of Parr’s visit, his measurements and even whether he used a level. Sanders had to step in and said that Parr was not invited to the meeting to be put on trial. Sanders defended Parr’s report and Green apologized.

The commission was finally able to agree to a plan with the group — find a way to bring the crane down as soon as possible or the whole structure would be torn down.

Finally, a resolution was reached October 30. The group secured the crane for November 7 and plans could move forward.