STATUS OF ELKMONT'S STORM SHELTER

Two new storm shelters will soon be built in the Cowford-Oak Grove and Elkmont areas, but a Limestone County commissioner wants to reconsider six more shelters planned in the county.  The commission unanimously approved Wednesday building the two concrete shelters for $438,683 with Federal Emergency Management Agency grants.  The Elkmont shelter would be built at 19667 Sandlin Road, near the Elkmont Fire Department. 
 

 Hill Spirit Thought:
The Elkmont shelter will cost $231,844, with the county paying $36,818.   It is amazing how much extra things cost because of red tape.  In 2012, it was projected to cost $147, 271.

Commissioner Ben Harrison said he voted for the projects because they were planned by the previous commission. However, he questioned the value of shelters with capacities to serve 168 people in a county of more than 85,000.

“We’re talking about spending $1,300 per person to build a shelter,” Harrison said. “I just wonder where it will end. Government can’t provide a place for everyone to have a shelter."  Harrison said he could make a case for building shelters at schools and mobile home parks, but he thinks it’s an individual’s responsibility to provide for his own safety.  Harrison said small communities can do a better job of providing shelters at low cost because county commissions have to hire architects when they build.

 source article link: Decatur Daily