By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
The little stage in the downstairs cultural area of the
county building is not accessible to those with
disabilities.
Mike Brown requested the county commission have a ramp
constructed to make the stage so that it was more
accessible.
"The stage needs a ramp with a handrail," said Brown.
Not only do those with disabilities have problems but so
do senior citizens who meet in the cultural hall on a
regular basis. It is not easy for those who are not sure of
foot to navigate the steps to get to the floor of the stage,
said Brown.
"The steps seem to be of different heights," he said.
He said he had watched a couple of the older ladies
trying to use them and saw that they were not easily
manageable for them either.
"I tried to contact a couple of contractors to find out
what it would cost to build a ramp with a handrail," Brown
said.
His calls had not yet been returned and so he had not yet
determined just what the cost would be.
"Building the stage was a Lion's Club project," said Wm.
Boyd Howarth, commission chair.
A couple of years ago, Howarth said, steps were added to
make the stage more available for the seniors and the
disabled.
"Now you are telling us that we need to go one step
further," said Howarth.
The plea had been heard, he said. Commissioners would see
what could be done in the near future to get a ramp
constructed.
Brown said he served on the board for an organization
concerned with those who have disabilities and could,
perhaps, get someone from that group to make recommendations
for the pitch of the ramp and for the other requirements the
structure would need to meet federal law standards.
Neil Cook, commissioner, said he would meet with those
people, with Brown, and with Bob Day, county building and
grounds superintendent, to determine what the structure
should be like.
Costs would be determined and the commission would then
decide how soon the project could be completed.
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