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FISCAL COURT
The Monroe County Fiscal Court took another step to help recruit and
keep industry at their regular meeting last Thursday morning. Pam Bridgeman, from the
Center for Rural Development, in Somerset, appeared before the court members to help
explain the ”CenterNet” program and ask for support for the project (see
related story on this page). After hearing the explanation that no money will be needed
the first year and outlining some of the benefits to business, industry, schools,
students and the general public, the magistrates voted in favor of pledging
$1,000 support (if needed) for the second year of the project. Jake England advised the
Fiscal Court members that mapping of the county
for 911 is just about finished and said he wanted to extend his thanks
to the Postal Service, Tri-County EMC and several other agencies for their help in
preparing the most up to date maps. There was some mention of several county roads shown
as open but when traveled found to be closed or impassible. Some magistrates mentioned
that several roads have been closed by the court and allowed to have fences or gates
placed across the road. Fearing that an ambulance crew may be dispatched down a closed
road and then have to turn around and lose time getting to where it needs to go, or
perhaps even get stuck, England said it was very important to get the map correct. England
said he would try to get the road names and get together with the magistrates to see which
have been closed. The 911 system is currently averaging seven to ten calls per day with
everything working well, according to England.
Monroe County Judge-Executive Russell Young asked Sheriff Jerry ‘Slick’ Gee what
he thought about the proposed centralized dispatch system. Gee replied he has no problem
with the way it is now. Young then said he had spoken with Monroe County Medical Center
administrator Mark Thompson and told him county attorney Doug Carter, and others feel, the
county’s portion of 911 costs are supposed to be paid, according to the contract
entered into a few years back.
The hospital’s attorney, Clay Hundley, felt otherwise, according to Young. With
Carter absent from this court meeting, Young recommended tabling the matter until Thompson
and Carter could be at next month’s meeting. Sheriff Gee presented the court with his
office’s settlement for the year in the amount of $53,375.24 being given back to the
county. Monroe County Clerk Teresa Sheffield also presented the court with her
office’s settlement of $33,702.15 in excess fees collected.
The proposed budget for the Monroe County Jail was reviewed and
discussed. Compton mentioned the budget had been cut from last year’s
approximate $306,000 to the proposed $288,456. The magistrates voted to accept the
jailer’s budget.
CENTERNET
An agreement was reached last week that is expected to bring major
telecommunications capabilities to Monroe County and help in the recruitment of industry.
CenterNet, a project of the Center for Rural Development in Somerset, is designed to
connect 40 rural counties, including Monroe, with information-age technology. Twenty-two
counties are already part of the network, which Each county is expected to provide a
location for the CenterNet facility, support staff and monetary commitment to support the
site’s ongoing operations after the initial year.
During a meeting last Thursday morning, commitment was made by local
government, banks and organizations to provide the required operating
funds, should they be needed. The Center for Rural Development funds the first year of
operation and also provides $80,000 to $100,000 in equipment, training and maintenance,
according to Pam Bridgman, CenterNet project manager. The local CenterNet site is expected
to be the new Economic Development Building now under construction near City Hall.
Bridgman said The Center for Rural Development will provide
room-based video-conferencing systems, including camera, microphones, speakers and TV
monitors; desktop video-conferencing computer and public access personal computers,
complete with Microsoft Office and Internet connectivity; and furniture for equipment and
participants, plus installation and maintenance, scheduling and conference connections,
marketing services and training. Some of the ways in which other counties are using the
CenterNet, she said, are for employee retraining, business and industry recruitment,
continuing education courses for professionals, and satellite college classes for all
ages.The CenterNet project was made possible by a $7 million grant from the Small Business
Administrations.
RELAY FOR LIFE WEEK
Next week is Relay for Life Week in Monroe County, with everyone
urged to take part in the special activities planned to focus on this fund-raiser for the
American Cancer Society. This year’s Relay for Life in Monroe County is scheduled May
19-20, but the 12-hour event itself is a celebration of the fund-raising efforts that will
take place over the next two months, said Sheila Cropper, local Relay chair. Events
planned next week include:
Monday, March 27 — “Why” Day, with everyone urged to wear “Why”
(picture) pins in memory or in honor of a cancer victim (pins can be purchased for $1 at
local banks and at Wal-Mart).
Tuesday, March 28 — Team Day, when all Relay teams are expected to
have a team meeting to get on track and set their goals for the Relay. Those interested in
forming a team can still do so by contacting Wendy Smith at 487-6723, ext. 347.
Wednesday, March 29 — Pray Day, when individuals and churches are
urged to pray for those touched by cancer and for the success of the upcoming Relay.
Thursday, March 30 — Remembering Day, when everyone is asked to turn on porch lights
that night, remembering those lost to cancer and showing hope for a cure for cancer.
Friday, March 31 — Cancer Survivors Day, when everyone is urged to
mail a “Thinking of You” or “Thankful for You” card, or to call or
send a
flower, to a cancer survivor.
All cancer survivors who are not already on the Relay mailing list are
asked to call co-chair Shelley Polston at 487-6693 so they can receive
a special invitation to the 2000 Relay and also be kept informed about
Relay activities.
STATE POSTER WINNER
Hillary Gillenwater’s poster was chosen as a state winner in a poster/essay contest
entitled “Agriculture, A World of Opportunity,” sponsored by the Kentucky
Department of Agriculture. A seventh grader at Monroe County Middle School and the
daughter of Tim and Dana Gillenwater, she will be recognized at the Kentucky Agriculture
Day breakfast on March 23 in Frankfort. She will receive a $100 savings
bond, and her work will be published in several department publications.
COUNTY SPELLING BEE
The Monroe County Farm Bureau recently sponsored a county spelling
bee. The winner will represent Monroe County at the Kentucky Derby Festival State Spelling
bee, to be held April 1 at the Seelback Hilton in Louisville. Winner of the County
Spelling Bee as Zeb Ferguson, a fifth grader at Carter Elementary. Runner-up was Anna
Scott, Monroe County Middle School.Winners from the other schools competing in the county
event were Billy Joe Murphy, Gamaliel Elementary, and Brittany Netherton, Tompkinsville
Elementary.
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Announcements
WELLS-EMBERTON ENGAGEMENT
Willis Wells and Ann Wells, both of Frankfort, wish to announce the
engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Joann Elaine, to
Alan Bedford Emberton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Emberton, Lawrenceburg. The prospective
groom is the grandson of Mayme Emberton, Tompkinsville, and the late Glidden Emberton. The
wedding will take place at 1:30 p.m. on May 27, at the Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church
in Lexington.
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Deaths
Eight deaths were reported to the Tompkinsville News this past week.
Local deaths were:
— Audra (Turner) Tooley, 69, Sunset Ave., Tompkinsville, who died
March 19 (she was the widow of Sidney Tooley);
— Herbert Ray England, 82, Alexander School Rd., Gamaliel, who died
March 18 (he was the husband of Geneva Keith England); and
— Pellie Cleveland Burgett, Bethlehem Church Rd., Tompkinsville, who
died March 16 (he was first married to Mary Myrtle (Wilmore) Burgett and, following her
death, married Alma (Pitcock) Burgett, who survives).
Deaths reported from other areas were:
— Wilma (Richardson) Pitcock, 82, Louisville, a Monroe County native
who died Feb. 23 (she was the widow of Lloyd L. Pitcock);
— Chloe (Moore) Stroop, 69, Nashville, Tenn., a Monroe County native who died Feb. 22
(she was the wife of Ernest Stroop);
— Estell (Heador) Patterson, 95, Lafayette, Tenn., who died March 17
(she wa the widow of Dayton Oscar Patterson);
— William Poe Biles, 89, Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., who also died
March 17 (he was the husband of Gladys [Brandon] Biles); and
— Ronnie Lynn Merryman, 53, Dixon Springs, Tenn., who died March 18. For more
information about their survivors or arrangements, please click here.
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