Meeting in regular session last week the Vanceburg City Council began by adopting three resolutions and tabling another.

The first resolution authorizes the application of funding up to $350,000 through the Transportation Enhancement Program for the restoration of the Pratt Iron Bridge.

Mayor William T. "Bill Tom" Cooper has requested complete funding rather than matching funding for the restoration project because the walkway/pedway bridge that connects the city with the Boat Dock recreational area is the only one of its kind in the state. The bridge was built in 1882.

The second resolution is one the city council adopts every year but tabled until next month because a representative of the program who was scheduled to attend the meeting did not appear. It authorizes an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement by the cities and counties in the Buffalo Trace and Gateway Area Development Districts to combat the sale and illegal use of drugs. Under the Agreement Vanceburg will contribute $1,080 toward the match of any federal funds to assist in the continuation of the areas' Narcotics Task Force.

The third resolution authorizes the sale of a 1979 Ford Truck with a garbage compactor to Dorse Ray Underwood for $2,000.

The fourth authorizes Cooper to file a Safe Routes To School Program Application for $250,000 through the Office of Transportation Enhancement Programs. The funds would be used to construct sidewalks in the south end of Vanceburg to allow school children to walk safely to school.

The council approved the Cooper's request for an additional $26,000 from the state's discretionary funds to replace monies lost when the state decreased the amount of funding for the blacktopping of streets in the city. 

The original amount allotted to Vanceburg came to about $36,000 but that was lowered to only $23,000 when the state learned that Louisville had been left out of the disbursements.

That reduction in funds in conjunction with a new state regulation requiring that all paving work be done by a state certified contractor means that fewer streets in the city than originally planned will be paved unless the Cooper's request for additional money is granted.

Cooper informed the council that the Vanceburg Depot has undergone its annual inspection through the Heritage Council, and the inspectors reported that the structures are in excellent shape.

He also told the council that he has appealed to the US Congress to authorize $250,000 in the 2007 federal budget for a feasibility study for the construction of a lake in Vanceburg in order to eliminate flooding and to attract tourism to the community.

Cooper planned to go to Washington D.C. on March 12 to meet with Senator Jim Bunning, Representative Geoff Davis and other officials regarding the study. He requests that any residents who support the lake project write letters expressing that support, and he will take those letters with him when he goes to the nation's Capitol.

The council authorized the Cooper to order two new police cruisers. On February 15 Congressman Geoff Davis announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Program had awarded a grant of $37,500 to Vanceburg for the purchase of the vehicles.

He said that the city has to spend $6,000 of city funds for each vehicle, a total of $12,000, but stated that that’s not a bad investment in order to get $48,000 worth of equipment.

Cooper announced that Cleanup Week for the city will be Monday through Friday, March 20-24. At no charge the city will pick up old appliances, furniture, mattresses and televisions. The city will not accept computer monitors, propane tanks, household waste or old tires. He noted that putting the old stuff out on the curb on Monday, Tuesday and Friday would make the pick ups easier because of the regular garbage pick up schedule.

Cooper read several letters he received from elementary school children and teachers expressing their appreciation for his participation in their studies about local government. He wrote a letter about the duties of a mayor and shared that with several classes.

Cooper announced that he is preparing to apply for funding to purchase a new ladder truck for the Fire Department. The application process has just started and will continue at the appropriate time with the council’s authorization.

He also announced that work on the George Morgan Thomas House is progressing well and will hopefully be completed by July 3. 

Two men, one formerly of Lewis County, were honored recently for their assistance in helping Lakeside Christian Academy in Morehead become a reality.

The two, Jack Roe and Keith Pack, were recognized during a recent dinner held in their honor at Morehead State University.

The two men are Morehead residents and were described as being instrumental in helping Lakeside Christian Academy become a reality last September.

Rick Hesterberg, chairman of the board for Lakeside Christian Academy, said, "This past June, many parents, teachers, administrators and friends had the vision for a new independent non-denominational Christian school. Mr. Roe and Mr. Pack helped bring that vision to reality."

Roe, a Lewis County native, and Pak could be found nearly every day, and most nights, last summer preparing 22 acres of land for the modular units that were purchased and now house the 160 students who attend Lakeside.

"When we started on this venture, I don't think any of us knew for sure if we were going to be able to start school in time," Hesterberg said.

"There is no question that it took the leadership, know-how and long hours of hard work of these two gentlemen in order for Lakeside to open its doors this past September."

Both Roe and Pack have grandchildren who attend the school, which offers preschool through 11th grade.

"I think any Christian or private school has to have parents, grandparents and friends who are deeply passionate about this educational alternative," said Tammy McKinney, Head Administrator at Lakeside. "We are just so blessed to have these two individuals and many others who support us."

Roe's brother, Al Roe of Vanceburg, said that his family and friends are extremely proud of the work he has done and is continuing to do. "He's just a great guy," Al Roe said of his brother.

Jack Roe is proprietor of Jack Roe Insurance Company in Morehead. He and his wife, Diane, have two daughters, Lisa and Laura, and two grandchildren, Brandon and Abbigail.

Lakeside's campus is located at 2535 US 60 West in Morehead. The school is preparing for the 2006-07 school registration, which begins on April 10. For more information about the school, call 606-784-2751.

In late 2004, Paul Semisch, Director of Outreach at People's Self-Help Housing, conducted a county-wide community needs assessment.

He interviewed 34 people representing 27 organizations, agencies, churches and businesses in Lewis County, to evaluate how well needs are currently being addressed, which needs are not being addressed, and what obstacles or barriers prevent people from utilizing existing services.

Employment opportunities, public transportation, recreational opportunities, communication/cooperation among service providers, and housing opportunities for moderate-income individuals and families topped the list needs not being addressed adequately.

Employment opportunities/more industry and public transportation were tied for the unmet need that most urgently needed to be addressed.

Obstacles preventing people from utilizing existing services and programs included lack of transportation, lack of knowledge or awareness of resources, and lack of education.

During his interviews, Semisch said two ideas received strong support: the formation of an interagency council and a detailed community resource guide for service providers.

Two dozen people attended the first meeting of the Lewis County Interagency Council in January.

The council hopes to increase communication and collaboration, share information and resources, increase awareness of programs and resources, strengthen the network of services and avoid duplication of services, and provide a forum to discuss issues of concern to Lewis County.

The council is open to any group or individual involved in service to Lewis County residents.

Semisch also recently completed work on the Lewis County Resource Guide and has begun distributing copies. 

The guide lists organizations with contact information, hours of operation, services/programs offered and eligibility guidelines. It also includes contact information for fire department, law enforcement and government offices and officials.

The guide is free and available to anyone who is interested. For a copy, contact Semisch at People's Self-Help Housing, 606-796-0811 or email him at paulpshh@alltel.net.

The council will initially meet every three months. Possible topics for future meetings include format of meetings, follow-up discussion on community needs assessment and its results, future directions for the council, and structure of the council.

The next meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at the Lewis County Extension Office, 806 Second Street in Vanceburg.