By Dennis Brown

The Lewis County Interagency Council met in regular session last week and heard from representatives of Federated Transportation Services of the Bluegrass (FTSB) concerning the transportation service that got underway about a month ago in Lewis County under the name of Lewis Trans or L-Trans.

The service provides transportation to workers as well as those traveling to and from college, GED class and job interviews. Cost is minimal at $1 each way in Lewis County and $2 each way to travel to a destination outside of Lewis County. Monthly passes are available at $40.

Presently the two 14 passenger, wheelchair accessible vans travel daily outside of Lewis County to take workers and college students to Maysville and Grayson with officials looking at adding Portsmouth, Ohio, Greenup and Morehead to the schedule.

Melissa McCann, who drives one of the vans, said the number of riders has grown steadily since the service began with an average now of about 50 riders per week. She added that several college students at Maysville Career and Technical Center have said they will be commuting with the service when classes resume in the fall.

Pam Shepherd, CEO of FTSB, said the service has been made available through grant funding at both the federal and state levels and is limited to job related transportation, whether it be traveling to and from work or education related to landing a job or even going to the unemployment office.

McCann said regular riders have commented about the savings on gasoline by utilizing the transportation service. She said workers are presently traveling to jobs at Meadowview Regional Medical Center, Wilco, Emerson and Hospice of Hope in Maysville and Smithfield in Grayson.

Shepherd noted that she believed some people who could be taking advantage of the service may think the service will not be around for long and have waited to see if it will take hold in the community. “We’re not going anywhere,” she said.

She said each of the vans has a computer to assist drivers with pick-up schedules and riders and that the vans are now complete with lettering and graphics. She added that they are in the process of interviewing for a part time driver to help cover all the various routes and schedules. The vans are now operating between 4:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and are continuing to hone the schedules to mesh with riders needs.

Currently the vans pick up passengers at park and ride locations at the intersection the AA Highway and Salt Lick and intersection of the AA Highway and Ky. Rt. 59 as well as the merchant’s parking lot in Vanceburg, Tollesboro Chevron and the former Garrison Truck Stop.

Shepherd said drivers have been passing out brochures and information about the service during their off-time at locations such as post offices, college campuses and larger employers in surrounding counties.

For information concerning the transportation service call toll free at 888-848-0989 or at 859-685-6992. Council members had an opportunity to look over one of the vans during a short break in the meeting.

Members of the council were given an opportunity to report or give an update on their respective agencies to share information with others in attendance.

 Jan Kreher with the Christian Community Center said that her organization has had several requests for assistance with utility bills, rent and the like and has had a hard time in being able to assist. She said funds are low at the center and donations have been down in addition to some changes at utility companies which require higher deposits for some who have had power disconnected. She said inventories at the food pantry are also low and resulting in less ability to provide assistance to some.

Christa Little with the Family Resource Center said funding is also down for the center and they have had additional requests to assist with clothing and shoes recently.

Roseanne Wood with the Lewis County Extension Office informed members of a Quilt Show and Sale to be held at Lewis County High School from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on May 30. The event is sponsored by the Lewis County Vegetable Producers.

April Burke with the Women’s Crisis Center said the center can provide emergency shelter as well as court services and volunteered to speak to groups concerning services available. She can be contacted at the center at 606-796-3419.

 Judy Caudill with Golden LivingCenter said that in addition to long-term care provided by the facility, they also offer short-term care and outpatient rehab. She also noted many success stories associated with the center.

Catie Aker with the Housing Authority of Vanceburg said she welcomes applicants for housing and there are some multiple bedroom units available. She noted that the complex could not provide emergency sheltering due to requirements and time needed for the application process.

Anita Bertram with the Lewis County Health Department reviewed some of the programs available through the facility including the HANDS program for first-time parents and cancer screening availability for those without health insurance. Rusty Dyer with the Health Department gave an update on swine flu in Kentucky noting there were 13 confirmed cases in the state but none in this area. He said the department is working on education to prevent the spread of the virus and advocates frequent hand washing.

Kevin Carpenter with Fleming-Mason Energy reviewed the utility company’s weatherization activities for homes in their service area and said an increase in funding for the program is expected. He reminded members of the co-op’s annual meeting scheduled for May 28 beginning at 4:30 p.m. and the company headquarters in Flemingsburg.

Mary Williamson and Tina McGlone with MSU AmeriCorps and Family Resource Centers updated members on a project to build beds for those in need.

Paul Semisch with People’s Self-Help Housing said the agency has a growing waiting list for those looking for rental homes and short-term shelter. He echoed the reports by some of the other agencies on the impact of the recent economic downturn and increase in the need for assistance.

The next meeting of the Lewis County Interagency Council was scheduled for Tuesday, july 21, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. at the Lewis County Extension Office in Vanceburg. Semisch asked that anyone with suggestions for topics of discussion or guest speakers at future meetings to contact him at 606-796-0811.

Work is underway to add turn lanes at the intersection of the AA Highway and Ky. Rt. 57 at Tollesboro. An effort aimed at reducing some of the accidents at the busy intersection.

Allen Blair, with the Kentucky Department of Highways District Nine Office in Flemingsburg, said two right turn lanes are being added on the AA Highway which are designed to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions at the intersection.

The project, estimated at $200,000, should be completed within a couple of weeks, weather permitting, according to Blair.

He said that once the project is completed, traffic on the AA Highway will be able to use the new 300 foot right turn lanes to essentially “exit” the highway before turning at the intersection while through traffic may continue with minimal deceleration. He said that traffic on Ky. Rt. 57, which must stop at the intersection, will remain unaffected.

The turn lanes are being built on existing state right-of-way and may cause some traffic delays in the area. Blair added that flashing caution lights near the intersection may have to be taken down for a short time to allow for the work to progress.

Blair urges motorists to watch for flaggers and additional signage and “Drive Smart” in all work zones.