SHOALS — The first meeting of the Martin County Commissioners for 2009 produced something missing for all of 2008 — the title to the Veteran’s Service van.

County Resident Forrest Burton, also a past state commander for Disabled American Veterans, gave the board the long lost title for the van. Throughout 2008, commissioners, Sheriff Tony Dant and County Attorney David Lett have been looking for the title.

“Here you are, I’m done with it,” Burton said.

In 2008, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Shoals gave possession of the van to the county so Veterans Service Officer Eugene Wilcoxen can take veterans to VA clinics in Bloomington and Indianapolis.

Burton said in a letter that he called the DAV in Illinois and was able to get the title.

But before any programs by the county could start, the title had to be found.

“This was the big thing, the title,” Commissioner Paul George said. “Now we can get started.”

George said there was money in the county’s 2009 budget for van expenses. The county will now write a set of policies for Wilcoxen to follow and get insurance for the van.

“We’re getting it all lined out and we will get it on the road,” George said.

Local members of the Shoals VFW Post were at the meeting to volunteer to drive.

Monday’s meeting marked the start for two new commissioners and the county auditor. Commissioners Dan Gregory and John Wininger started their four-year terms, as did Auditor Nancy Steiner.

In other business

APPOINTMENTS

The commissioners appointed several to various boards and positions Tuesday, including: Gene Shaw, Alcoholic Beverage Board; Darrell Courtright, County Highway Superintendent; Wilcoxen, Veterans Service Officer; John Jones, Courthouse Custodian; Monty Wolf and Andy Ringwald, Emergency Management; Lett, County Attorney; Chad Mosby, Martin/Daviess Joint Park Board; George, SIDC Board; Ken Macy, Shoals Library Board; Wininger, Four Rivers Council, and Shaw to the Westgate Authority Board.

Appointments tabled Tuesday were three to the county’s Redevelopment Commission. Due to changes from 2008’s House Bill 1001, the commissioners make only three appointments, not five like in previous years. The county council makes two appointments and have appointed Dick Cresgy and Warren Albright.