County reaches agreement on Lorenzo emergency siren

Commissioners also approve Tourism Board projects

SIDNEY -- The Cheyenne County Commissioners today approved a location for an emergency siren to be located in the community of Lorenzo.

The commissioners and Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Leal had been in negotiations with a landowner when discussions reached an impasse. A new location was advised.  A Lorenzo resident later complained that the county was placing the siren at the advisement of a person who does not live in Lorenzo. 

The commissioners tabled their decision on the proposed siren until options could be researched. This morning, Leal presented the commissioners with maps showing the property where the siren will be located, near the southwest corner of Highway 19 and Cheyenne County Road 8.

In other business, the board approved a $1,845 grant for promotion of the Sidney Farmers Market, $4,500 for the 4-H projects/Cheyenne County 4-H Council to resurface bleachers at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds. Laura Narjes, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 4-H Extension Educator for Cheyenne and Deuel Counties, said the grant would put a metal surface on the portable bleachers. The 4-H Council has volunteered to provide the labor.

The 4-H Council was also awarded a $5,000 grant for curtains and display fixtures. Narjes described the curtains as partitions similar to what could be seen in a trade show. The curtains and framework could be used to divide a room into smaller meeting areas. 

"We typically have been paying about $400 per year" to rent curtains, Narjes said. 

She said renting curtains "has not been a great experience." The curtains and frames would be stored at the 4-H Building when not in use.