BY JERRIE WHITELEY

HERALD DEMOCRAT

SHERMAN -- Two of Grayson County's four commissioners moved quickly through a routine agenda on Monday, stopping only briefly to approve early voting times and places for the Republican primary runoff election. Commissioners Johnny Waldrip and Gene Short were absent.

Election Clerk Deana Patterson said the only location for the early voting period that runs from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. on April 5 -9 will be at the Grayson County Courthouse.

Patterson said the county has to pay for the early voting portion of the runoff. She said she expects the county will have to pay for three poll workers each day of the early voting period. She said she is not expecting a high voter turnout.

In addition to the runoff, Patterson also received commissioner's approval to rent to the city of Gunter some voting machines for its election in May. Patterson said the standard price of $200 per machine is what the city has agreed to pay.

In addition to the election items, commissioners David Whitlock and Jackie Crisp authorized the solicitation of bids for the annual supply of emulsions. However, they refused a county maintenance department request to declare a chain link fence as surplus for sale by sealed bid. The fence is near the parking lot at the county's government center in Whitesboro.

County Maintenance Director Gregg Allen said he is worried that someone will take the fence out when they are attempting to back out of the parking lot. He said the fence is an eyesore. Crisp said he had spoken to Short about the matter, and Short was opposed to the idea of getting rid of the fence. Whitlock and Crisp both cited Short's feelings on the matter when they refused Allen's request.

Commissioners also approved:

* renewal of the county's contract with the U.S. Corps of Engineers to provide security to lake property;

* a request to release subdivision/site improvement bond for Club House Road in Rock Creek Resort;

* a request to release subdivision/site improvement bond for Toscana Addition in Rock Creek Resort;

* a request to solicit bids for the annual supply of asphalt;

* a request to solicit bids for the annual supply of road oils;

* a request to solicit bids for used oil storage tanks.