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Paul Mezo of Sandusky, a spokesman for the 22-member Sanilac Economic Action League, was critical of the board because materials for the new Cedardale garage salt barn, on Ruth Road near Mills Road in Marion Township, were being supplied by out-of-county businesses.

"It came to our attention that some of the materials to build the salt storage building at Cedardale were purchased out of another county, and this knowledge has raised concerns with some of our members," said Mezo, who was also speaking as manager of the DBC Design Center for Deckerville Building Center in Sandusky.

"It was brought to my attention by my boss, Paul Nutzmann, at our Deckerville location, that the lumber part of this structure was being supplied by Vassar Building Center. We found this troubling seeing as how neither our offices, nor our contractor customers, saw bid sheets or plans on this project."

Mezo continued, "Is it possible to allow only Sanilac County businesses to quote such projects?...Members of our group believe that it would be common courtesy as well as good business that our government officials take every effort to facilitate strong economic growth in Sanilac County.

"We as taxpayers, citizens, business people and investors in this great area are fully aware, as this board is, that Sanilac County is currently under the influence of what some would call a catastrophic economic downturn. This is in evidence by the loss of jobs, business investment, and public school enrollment over the past three years ...While this is nobody's fault, we feel those with an interest in Sanilac County must take very effort possible to improve the business climate in anyway they can."

Road Commission Engineer-Manager Robb Falls told Mezo that he had contacted the Michigan Department of Transportation about the bidding procedure, after Mezo initially brought his concerns to the chairman of the road board, Harold Donaghy.

Falls said he asked M-DOT if bids "could be limited to Sanilac County. They said no."According to Falls, the project was advertised in a statewide publication for contractors and builders. He said M-DOT provides the plans and procedures for the project, along with 40% of the money, because the barn will house salt for state highways as well as county primary roads. The estimated cost of the barn is $314,000.

"That's how they told us to do it," said Falls after the meeting. "They build them all over the state for counties."

In related business, Falls reported the footings and walls have been poured for the 60 by 85 foot barn, and the asphalt surface inside the building has been completed as well as around the outside. Crews are expected to start constructing the top of the building in about a week.

In other business, the road board:

*Approved the purchase of a three-quarter ton cargo van from Gorno Ford for $19,500, and two pickups from Snethkamp Dodge for $20,399 each, through the state purchasing program for municipalities.