Cottage Grove Township chooses new highway commissioner

At the Tuesday night meeting of Cottage Township Board four members of the board voted in a new Highway Commissioner Michael Karns.

Michael is the son of Donald Karns and the brother of Chris Karns. He replaces Tim Tuttle who resigned from the position during discussions between the township and Peabody Energy that is extending the Cottage Grove strip mine south of state Route 13 close to the community of Rocky Branch. The four voting members of the township board were Don Porter, Scott Berry, Darin Alvey and Richard Gates. Judy Kellen recused herself from the voting.

At issue is the future of the short stretch of Cottage Grove Road between state Route 13 and Old Route 13 on Cottage Grove Road. Saline County has sold its right of way on Rocky Branch Road - Cottage Grove Road between state Route 13 and Old Route 13 becomes Rocky Branch south of old Route 13 - to Peabody Energy for a haulage road to enable the coal company to expand its strip mining onto approximately 1,000 newly acquired acres south of state Route 13. Cottage Grove Township residents have voiced the opinion that they would not sell their interest in the road putting a potential roadblock in the planned expansion of the mine.

Saline County Highway Engineer Jeff Jones said that Peabody had made it public that they would proceed with their plans to expand the mine even if they do not get the stretch of township road at issue.

"They have said they have other alternatives," said Jones.

Peabody Energy was contacted and a reply was not available at press time.