John Klick, who operates a creek gravel plant about five miles south of Fulton on County Road 403, has a suggestion on how the county can save money: Buy more creek gravel from him.
"The county has not bought creek gravel from me since March," Klick said. "I have talked with the Callaway County commissioners and they tell me they plan to buy more creek gravel from me instead of limestone quarry rock, but the employees at the Callaway County Road and Bridge Department have not ordered gravel from me in about eight months."
He said he and six other gravel dealers were successful bidders on supplying gravel to the Callaway County Road and Bridge Department.
Klick said politics plays no role in the issue because he has has been dealing with both Democratic and Republican commissioners.
Presiding Commissioner Gary Jungermann said he and the other two commissioners have told Klick that they plan to buy more creek gravel from him, especially during wet weather.
"There have been times in the past when we bought rock from John and his supply ran out because he does not have a large operation. We want to buy rock from him because he is a local guy and he will sell it cheaper," Jungermann said. "The other side of the story is whenever we spread creek rock we have a dozen people walk into this office who have experienced flat tires and they want to know who is going to pay for their tires."