How serious is the Warren County Board of Supervisors in possibly selling the old Vicksburg Bridge? Serious enough to discuss it in a work session with more than one supervisor openly saying he’d listen to offers.

The board has been asked by The Friends of the Vicksburg Bridge to pass a resolution encouraging the Vicksburg Bridge Commission — a body appointed by the supervisors — to vote on opening the bridge on a daily basis to those who would like to use it for exercise or leisure.

The supervisors fear such an act could cause a costly lawsuit from the Kansas City Railroad, which currently leases the tracks that cross the bridge. County attorney Blake Teller told the board this week he has been informed members of The Friends of the Vicksburg Bridge are willing to take the risk financially to pay for any possible litigation if KCR does file a lawsuit against the county.

While talks among the supervisors, bridge commission, representatives of The Friends of the Vicksburg Bridge and KCR are underway, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr., has made it clear he would be willing to take the bridge off the hands of the supervisors if it were given to the city.

Flaggs told those in attendance at this week’s monthly chamber luncheon he would not be willing to buy the bridge from the county, but would open up the bridge to pedestrians and bicyclists if it were donated to the city and take on the litigation challenge that could possibly ensue.

“I take challenges face on, and anybody who works with me will tell you I don’t take challenges lightly,” Flaggs said.

One thing is seriously clear. The supervisors need to do what they were elected to do and make the decision a majority of their constituents want and pass the proposed resolution encouraging the bridge commission to open the bridge to public access on a daily basis.