What’s the news: Michael Jarboe talks recent happenings in Whitley County’s District 3

This bridge on Foley Bend Rd. in Whitley County’s 3rd District was repaired during Magistrate Michael Jarboe’s previous term.

Michael Jarboe is in his third term as magistrate of Whitley County’s 3^rd District, which includes areas such as Poplar Creek, South America, Boston, Saxton, Pleasant View, Verne, Savoy, Emlyn, Jellico Creek, Nevisdale, Liberty and others.

Whitley’s District 3 is already the largest in the county in terms of the amount of land covered, but it is about to get a little larger. Jarboe explained why, saying, “We will be absorbing some of the area off of Highway 92 that is currently located in District 1. The state requires each county to assess boundaries based on the latest census data, and since the COVID pandemic delayed everything, we are just now getting to take a look at that in order to determine where our boundaries should fall.”

Jarboe said that districts have to fall within a certain percentage range when looking at overall population, so whenever census data shows that they vary, changes need to be made in order to keep them as equal as possible. This can result in smaller districts that are more densely populated, such as Whitley’s District 2 in the northern part of the county, as well as much larger districts that are more sparsely populated, such as the 3^rd.

“The state requires it, and the individual counties have to abide by it,” Jarboe said of the process. “Our revised map has been turned in, and now we are just waiting to get approval.”

Jarboe said the approval should come sometime in August or September, and as for those areas that will be shifting from the 1^st District into the 3rd, he said that the biggest difference will be who residents will be able to vote for in the next magisterial election.

“If anyone has any issues and they’re unsure who to speak to about it, just contact the fiscal court offices and you will be directed to the right person,” Jarboe advised.

Expanding Industry

One of the area’s top employers, Firestone, is located in Whitley County’s 3^rd District. Jarboe is excited about the ongoing expansion work at the facility, commenting, “It will help the county with occupational taxes and employing more individuals. It could also potentially add some housing if people decide to move into the area.”

“They continue to grow,” Jarboe said of Firestone. “I know they are getting more involved with electric vehicles, so that growth is a big opportunity for both Williamsburg and Whitley County. The plant happens to be in my district, but it will benefit all areas of the county, as well as surrounding communities.”

Going Online

As mentioned in previous entries in this series, the Whitley County Fiscal Court has currently been overseeing a study into how to best expand broadband Internet service in the local area. These efforts could arguably benefit the 3^rd District more than any others, considering the amount of remote locations found in this particular part of the county.

“COVID really opened our eyes,” Jarboe said. “It can be easy to take certain things for granted, but the fact is you are very fortunate if you happen to have the option of reliable Internet service where you live. Some don’t really have any options when it comes to that at this current moment.”

Echoing the sentiments of his fellow magistrates in recent weeks, Jarboe said that he is excited about the prospects of the entire county having access to broadband Internet service in the near future.

The News Journal will continue to provide updates on this project as they become available.

Roads, roads, roads

Jarboe said that road conditions are probably the number one topic that will get brought to a magistrate’s attention. “I think any magistrate will tell you that we would like to get all of the roads paved, but it’s just a matter of how feasible that really is,” he commented.

Jarboe said that, while he and the other magistrates in Whitley County are continually trying to make the best decisions that they can with the information that is available to them at any given time, the increasing cost of asphalt is always a concern when it comes to re-paving roads, especially considering the fact that there hasn’t been any dramatic increases in revenues. With that being said, he assured that the county is aware of many of the issues that drivers are currently dealing with on the roadways, and those issues are being addressed as funding becomes available.

Thanks County Employees

In closing, Jarboe commended the “quality, top-notch” people who are currently employed across every department in the county. “They are the unsung heroes that keep the county moving,” he added.