Group met to prepare Homeland Security grant to upgrade radio system
(L to R) 911 Director Joe Tanner, Chief Deputy Carl Ballengee,
MOVRC reps Fred
Rader and Tim Meeks
Calhoun County will use $80,000 of Homeland Security money to begin upgrading
communication systems. The Calhoun Commission received a $50,000 grant for
law enforcement and a $30,000 grant for the Office of Emergency Services.
911 Director Joe Tanner, Chief Deputy Sheriff Carl Ballengee and Delegate Bill
Stemple (pictured left) attended the meeting yesterday morning.
"The goal is to allow all county agencies to readily communicate with each
other," said Tanner, who indicated some of the funds will likely be used for the
construction of a 180-foot radio tower at Mt. Zion. "There are several places in
the county that are dead," with the current radio system, he said.
County commissioners met yesterday with representatives of the Mid-Ohio Valley
Regional Council, who will prepare the county project for the state.
"Communications between agencies and other counties is a main goal of
Homeland Security," said Stemple.
The communications project is expected to move ahead quickly, with the funding
available in July.
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