Commissioners discuss school safety

Security in Cannon County's schools was a topic of discussion at Tuesday (Feb. 12) County Commission meeting.

"I want everyone to think about it," Commissioner Kevin George told his fellow commissioners.

"We can say where we live it will never happen, but the people in Newtown never thought it could happen there," George said.

The commissioner said he has been meeting with Sheriff Darrell Young about adding School Resource Officers (SROs) to the seven Cannon County Schools.

"It will cost $418,000 the first year. The seven vehicles are a good part of that cost," George said.

Having those Sheriff's Department cars setting out front of each school would be a good deterrent, he explained.

No action was taken on George's information, which was presented to get commissioners thinking about the need.

"Obama Care" was another topic tossed out for discussion.

"We need all the information we can get about Obama Care," said Commissioner Jim Bush. "This is not going to be cheap."

Cannon County is in better shape than some surrounding counties when it comes to the "Affordable Care Act," County Executive Mike Gannon said.

"We've got a big advantage by our county employees being already insured," Gannon said. Counties like White and Pickett don't have employee health insurance.

"We might have to adjust the deductible," Gannon said, adding that Blue Cross-Blue Shield has already announced it will do whatever needs to be done to make sure Cannon County meets the new regulations.

Turning to the agenda for the next Cannon County Commission meeting, the group will discuss making an arrangement with the Auburntown Fire Department.

Ninety percent of the fire calls they are handling are outside the Auburntown city limits, Gannon said. Insurance costs for Auburntown are becoming prohibitive.

If the two Auburntown Fire Department engines are placed under Cannon County the cost will drop to $1,000 annually, saving $3,000 for Auburntown and $3,000 for Cannon County, he said.