MINER'S ALDERMEN PANEL SHUFFLED AGAIN

MINER -- The Miner Board of Aldermen has yet another new face on the panel -- sort of. Mayor Terry Cole presented the resignation of alderman Mitch Thompson, who was appointed to fill a vacancy last month. Thompson's resigned because he has been called for active duty with the military and would be unable to serve as alderman.

With the board's approval, Cole picked Chris Carlisle to fill in for Thompson. Carlisle had previously served on the board until April, when he chose not to seek re-election.

The board also hired Kenneth Dement as the new city attorney. He replaces Joseph Fuchs in that position.

The board discussed problems with the new water treatment plant with the engineering firm to discuss the matter.

Norman Lambert of Waters and Associates spoke to the city officials and spelled out what he thinks it will take to correct the problem, which residents have described as an odd odor and taste to their water.

Lambert posed two possible sources: chlorine used to treat the water building up in "dead spots" in the system and a compound used in the drilling of the wells. "When they drill the wells, there is a drilling compound they use. Sometimes it is still there until is has been run through and flushed out," said Lambert. He also proposed a solution: a regular schedule of flushing the water system once a month.