Permission to visit the shack requires a background check from the Warrenton Training Center security staff. Technicians from Communications Specialists had to wait three hours on Sept. 26 to gain access to the training center, according to company President Billy Hoovler. The county contract requires the maintenance company to inspect the View Tree Mountain site only twice a year. That requirement remains unchanged from the previous contract with Wireless Communications. In writing the contract specifications, county officials should have required more frequent inspections, County Administrator Bob Lee admitted this week.
Monthly inspections make a whole lot of sense.
Representatives of the current and former contractors agree that conducting just two inspections a year leaves the system vulnerable. I can't argue the point. There are some things that can be improved relatively inexpensively that probably should be done. The county will establish a more rigorous maintenance schedule, Mr. Lee promised. Communications Center Director Ms. Powles has never visited View Tree Mountain.