Published: August 12, 2008 10:25 am      

Board may consider selling Sherman Park home

CLINTON — The Clinton County Board of Supervisors has asked the Clinton County Conservation Board to consider selling a house located on the grounds of Sherman Park, just southwest of Calamus along the Wapsipinicon River.

The home, which was built by the Conservation Board some 20 years ago in an effort to provide a security presence in the park, is currently being occupied and maintained by a county naturalist, according to Conservation Board Executive Director Walt Wickham.

Supervisor Dennis Starling stated the proceeds from the sale of the home could be used to offset the $100,000 in local matching funds the county has committed to the creation of the new Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center being planned for Rock Creek Marina in Camanche.

Wickham, along with Jim Haring, president of the conservation board, appeared before the supervisors during Monday’s regular meeting to explain that having a county employee living in the house, which is located near one of Sherman Park’s two entrances, has helped to keep the park safe.

Wickham noted park officials had been experiencing ongoing problems with four-wheelers being driven through the park, but the naturalist living on the grounds recently was able to apprehend the drivers and notify law enforcement.

“It has really helped us out in terms of park security,” Wickham said.

Starling questioned whether having the home occupied was a necessity.

“In a year of tight budgets, if we have assets that are of minimal utility to us and could be used to get us over the hurdle, then I think they should be looked at,” Starling said.

Haring noted he is concerned about selling off the two to five acres that the house sits on, and wonders what impact a private home would have sitting so close to the county park.

Starling pointed out that a few years back, the Conservation Board had approached the Board of Supervisors about the possibility of selling the home in order to finance the construction of a new ranger station at Rock Creek Marina. At that time, the supervisors informed the Conservation Board that the proceeds from the sale of the house would return to the county’s general fund and would not go toward the ranger station, and voted against the sale.

Supervisor Chairman Grant Wilke advised Wickham and Haring to discuss the possibility of the sale with their board. Wickham stated they would, noting the Conservation Board meets today.