News

Northern Contours to buy former shoe factory building

By Dennis Brown

Lewis County Fiscal Court met in regular session last Monday and approved the sale of the former shoe component plant building on Lions Lane to Northern Contours. The company entered into a lease/purchase agreement for the building and property in 1991 and has notified the county of their decision to purchase the property.

County Attorney Buddy Lykins said the balance due is about $77,000 and said the company has proposed a closing date of July 6 on the property.

Magistrates accepted funds from the county clerk’s office as part of closing out accounts with the retirement of Shirley Hinton as clerk. Approval was in-turn given to refund the amount to County Clerk Glenda Himes.

Magistrates accepted the budgets of special districts in the county. The requirement is mandated by state law and is a step the districts must take to comply with the statute.

Budgets were accepted from the county fire tax districts as well as the Lewis County Industrial Authority, Licking Valley CAP, Vanceburg Housing Authority and sanitation districts. The paperwork will be forwarded to Frankfort for final approval.

Magistrates approved the appointments of Roseanne Wood to the Lewis County Planning Commission, Harvey Denham to the Buffalo Trace ADD Board of Directors, and Sandra C. Bivens and Lena Fugate to the Helen Rayburn Public Library Board of Trustees.

Magistrates approved the TENCO Workforce agreement which will allow federal funds to be used to hire workers for the summer to help with cleanup of limbs and debris from the ice storm earlier this year. In conjunction with that, magistrates agreed to purchase a 1996 Ford crew cab pick-up for $4,500 to allow those workers to travel to clean-up sites around the county.

Judge Executive Steve Applegate was given authority to complete paperwork for the purchase of a backhoe for the road department. The new backhoe will replace an older one which will be declared surplus after the new one is delivered.

Applegate presented Shirley Hinton a plaque in recognition of her 56 years of service to the county in her position in the county clerk’s office, Sheriff Bill Lewis also expressed the gratitude of the sheriff’s office for Hinton and PVA Anthony Silvey presented Hinton with a gift from that office. Hinton’s retirement became effective on May 30.

Court members went into closed session to discuss the sale of real estate and took no action after returning to open session.

Approval was given to utilize the Rowan County Detention Center for housing of inmates if needed. The agreements are renewed each year in the event extra housing for inmates is needed. Applegate said the detention center at Morehead has not been utilized in the past, but the agreement exists if the need arises.

Several county officials presented their monthly reports to magistrates before the meeting was recessed. Magistrates will reconvene at 9:30 a.m. on June 29 in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse.

Personnel placement announced at school board meeting

By Dennis Brown

The Lewis County Board of Education met in regular session last week and quickly moved through a lengthy agenda to approve items which require annual review.

Superintendent Maurice Reeder Jr. told board members at the beginning of the meeting that the school year had gone smoothly and termed it successful. “I feel the grades will reflect this in the fall,” he said. He added graduation also went well and students were well behaved for the ceremony.

In moving down the list of more than 50 items on the agenda, the board approved bonds of depository for local banks. The bonds guarantee monies deposited in the banks in excess of the amount insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The board approved renewing a $200,000 bond for Board Treasurer Joe LeMaster at a cost of $508 and approved KHSAA Catastrophic Accident Insurance at a premium cost of $297.25 for each school covered. The insurance picks up to cover the district in the event of a serious accident.

Board members approved various salary schedules for all district employees which will include a one percent increase as recommended by the state legislature and steps for years worked. Reeder said also built into the pay schedules is the federal minimum wage increase which will take effect in July.

Members approved renewal of workers compensation insurance at a cost of $57,580 through KEDC. Reeder said he and staff members have been working on the renewal paperwork for some time and every few years the insurance is rebid. He said rates initially increased after 9-11 but have since gone down.

Also approved were student accident insurance, at a cost of $35,107 for the year; pollution insurance at $3,900; and property/fleet/umbrella package insurance (including flood) at $122,471.

Bulk Plants Incorporated submitted the apparent low bids for gasoline and diesel and was accepted as the supplier for the coming year.

Members approved the first reading of the policies manual, as recommended by KSBA and various contracts for outsourced services.

The board also approved job descriptions for elementary instructional coordinator, secondary instructional coordinator, reading intervention specialist, math intervention specialist and behavior intervention specialist.

Board members also approved state and federal assurances as well as construction documents for the sport architecture project near Lewis County High School and summer field trips.

The board also performed the annual superintendent’s evaluation, a task Board Member Rob Kennard said was “ . . . probably the single most important thing we do as a board.”

Reeder excused himself from the meeting while board members reviewed a listing of how they would rate the superintendent in his position. He was given an overall excellent rating by members.

Reeder reported certified sub-teacher hire Ashley Lucas, transfer Jay Fite to LCHS and summer school hire Donna Dietrich at LCHS.

Certified resignation of Renay Stevens as custodian at GES and transfer of Anita Miracle to LCMS.

Certified Placement for 2009-2010:
Garrison: Rayetta Angel .5, Jennifer Bentley, Glynnis Bivens, Connie Blankenbeckley, Nellie Book, Ruby Brown, Vickie Burriss .8, Andrea Carver, Sherri Gardner, Stephanie Gastauer .5, Jacqueline Hall, Jerry Hickle, Beverly Iery, Trena Kraft, Dale McDowell, Suzanne Pick .2, Angela Potter .8, Gail Reeder .1, Sheila Ruark, Lydia Smith, Hazel Stanfield, Jennifer Sullivan, Scott Sullivan, Johnna Tolliver, Elizabeth Underwood, Woody Underwood, Edith Wampler .2, Deborah Weddington and Joanna Yates. Laurel: Rayetta Angel .5, Jerry Bloomfield, Vickie Burriss .2, Debbie Enix, Matthew Hall, Jessica Holt .4, Ashley Dillow, Suzanne Pick .2, Angela Potter .2, Gail Reeder .1, Donna Roe, Edith Wampler .2 and Lisa Zornes. Central Elementary: Nancy Adams, Richard Anderson, Karen Baker, Joyce Bentley, Beverly Breeze, Teresa Bryant, Natasha Cole, Amy Cooper, Greta Douthat, Pauletta Flannery, Sharon Gatherwright, Glenda Gayheart, Teresa Griffitt, Daniel Gullett, Sara Gullett, Juanita Hall, Michelle Hampton, Sarah Kelly, Julie Lancaster, Paula Lodge, Vanessa Mason, Sandra McDowell, Amanda Moore, Shelly Prater, James Price, Gail Reeder .2, Tony Rizzo, Tonya Robinson, Elizabeth Stone, Laura Stone, Kayla Switzer, Marcia Thomas, Mildred Tuel, Stacy Underwood, Edith Wampler .4, Karen Wolfe, Ashley Willis and Bobbie Jo Yates. Tollesboro:

Julie Adams, Debbie Boling, Stephanie Brannon, Linda Breeze, Kenton Carpenter, Joann Conway, Tim Douglas, Stephanie Gastauer .5, Tammy Ginn, Jessica Holt .6, Teresa Hord, Sharon Kegley, Rachel Lashbrooke, Rebecca Litton, Brenda Lucas, Chasity McGowan, Willa Meadows 70 days, Kelly Myers, Karen Sue Osborne, Suzanne Pick .6, Rebecca Pugh, Gail Reeder .7, Robin Ruggles, Donna Short, Deloris Stanfield, Charity Stout, Crystal Thayer and Edith Wampler .2. LCMS: Brent Biddle, Jill Biddle, Karen Carver, Charles Clark, Emily Cluff, Deana Duff, Jayne Elliott, Becky Hampton, Doug Hampton, Summer Hampton, Jeannie Harris, Julee Howard, Tony Johnson, Karen Jordan, Sherri Lewis, John Liles, William Maynard, Patricia Owens, Susan Phillips, Jodi Plank, Keith Prater, Renee Ralston, Crystal Reeder, Patricia Riley, Rick Robinette, Beth Ruckel, Bob Smith, Billie Thornsberry, Bruce Voiles .1, Michelle Watson and Dana Yates. LCHS: Charles Adams, Bill Allen, Kelly Bentley, Chris Bryan, Charity Burriss, Pam Butler, David Collins, Crystal Cottingham, Donna Dietrich, Jendra Enix, Jay Fite, Michael Forman 110 days, David Grigson, Joe Hampton, Andrea Hardymon, Lana Henderson, Alexandra Higgins, Kibbey Hilger, Josh Hughes, Kara Johnson, Chad Kidwell, Joanne Kidwell, Gary Kidwell 115 days, Kevin Lewis, James Lykins, Karen Mason, Virginia Mauney, Angie McCall, Sandra Nolen, Lori O'Keefe, Ryan Plank, Sara Poeppelman, Jessica Pugh, Tyrone Sauley, Kenny Scott, James Silvey, David Skidmore, Kayla Stafford, Melissa Watson, Anna Sullivan, Shawna Voiers, Bruce Voiles .9, Jamie Weddington and Patty Willis. FMCTC: Stanley Allen, Arlen Butler, Jacqulyn Cordle, Doug Enix, Oleta Jefferson, Renee McCane, Candy Noble, Jeremy Ruckel and Rhonda Wilburn. District Wide: Lisette Clark, Loretta Dixon 50 days, Traci Evans, Debbie Fannin 130 days, Johnna Hord 100 days, Christa Little and Shauna Spencer. Board Office: Maurice Reeder Jr., Belinda Forman, Kevin Duff, Greg McCane, Mike Edington 150 days, Sue Hill 20 days, Diane Johnson and Paula Lewis.

Classified placement for 2009-2010:

Garrison: Rose Applegate, Teresa Bentley, Nellie Boyd, Karrah Bryan, Mike Bond, Keri Childrey, Sharon Cooper, Bama Gail Davis, Sharon Ervin, Rosalee Fannin, Judy Hoffman, Lois Kamer, Nancy Kamer, Roger Madden, Carla Pierce, Betty Poynter, Janie Skeans, Lisa Weddington, Debra Wilburn, Rachel Clemons, Patty Cooper, Polly Cole, Richard Thurman and Lara Lambert. Laurel: Joanie Bloomfield, Alice Butler, Lucille Butler, Dianna Clark, James Clark, Anita Sue Click, Shirley Lewis, April McAdams, Shannon Nolen, Tonya Owens, Eugene Polley and Tammy Stamm. Central Elementary: Sandra Blevins, Trina Blevins, Kim Bloomfield, Rose Bloomfield, Sue Brooks, Leanne Bryant, Mary Collins, Kenneth Cooley, Rhonda Cooper, Ernest Corns, Jackie Evans, Karen Flannigan, Connie Hall, Penny Hall, Paula Hinton, Roger Iery, Donna Jamison, Renee Kennedy, Carolyn Lawson, Beverly Lykins, Melissa Mabe, Betsy McCoy, Mary McClurg, Shirley McGlone, Vickie Newsome, Hope Pope, Sharon Riggs, Melissa Riley, Marjorie Royal, Sandra Stafford, Charlene Stamm, Lurie Thouroughman, Amy Wright, Barbara Gilbert, Crystal Warren, Wanda Rickett and Brenda Lykins. Tollesboro: Bonita Applegate, Martha Conn, Mary Corns, Judith Cosper, Shelly Crawford, Carol Cunningham, Jeannie Dailey, Rita Gill, Debbie Highfield, Kim Hord, Rayetta Hull, Gary Iery, Christina Jarrells, Sharon Lewis, Troy Mason, Carla Polley, Mary Roberts, Karen Stafford, Karen Thomas, Jackie Thoroughman, Pam Thurman, Kimberly Wallingford and Emily Williamson. LCMS: Teresa Bryant, Tim Fite, Teresa Goodwin, Darlene Henderson, Nedra Jamison, Vicki Lee, Sue Lykins .3, Cora McCann, Sherrie McCann, Anita Miracle, Shirley Moore, Suzette Osborne, Diane Plummer, Donyell Pollitt, Mary Shoemaker, Rachel Sizemore, Norman Smith, Lisa Stamm, Judy Swimm, Jane Wilson, Kathy Willis, Tina Thurman and Granville Williams. LCHS: Patty Allen, Marsha Bloomfield, Nora Brown, Kenneth Cooley Jr., Amanda Cooper, Angie Frye, Pat Hardy, Frank Hobbs, Robin Hobbs, Carolyn Howard, Janet Johnson, Glenna Lewis, Sue Lykins .7, Gloria Meadows, Jill O’Cull, Karen Osborne, Dennis Prater, Virginia Sauley, Mike Setters, Rob Sullivan, Debbie Thacker and Barbara Tucker. FMCTC: Earl Cooley, Nancy Dillow and Shirley McCann. Board Office: Cheryl Crawford, Carolyn Henderson, Joseph Kennedy, Karen M. Thomas and Glenda Welch. District Wide: Rick Evans, Steve Henderson, Wanda Hobbs, Jason Hill, Rhonda Holt, James Kilgallin, Kelly Lewis, James McGlone, Jim Bob McGlone, Kasey Nolen, Dean Osborne, Scott Osborne, Sue Silvey, Lorie Stanley and Jean Watson. Bus Drivers: Jean Watson, Mike Thomas, Pam Flack, Donna Morgan, John Roe, Chris Johnson, Richie Cooper, Jimmie Blevins, Bob Smith, Scotty Lawhorn, Catherine Clemons, Lacy Polley, Todd Evans, Jeff Himes, Terri Howard, Charlie Rickett, Gale Hartley, Michelle Noble, Arlen Butler, Doug Enix, Jennifer Tackett, Frank Hobbs, Kenny Scott, Tony Corns, Douglas Applegate, Burl Lawson, Donna Polley, Joe Harrison, Carl Ginn, Barry Hickerson, Rick Shaw, Tonya Hord, Genevieve Wallingford, Wendell Hardin, David Tully, Charles Thurman, Phyllis Stanfield, Harry Carrington, Shirley Lewis, Tammy Stamm, Kathy McClurg, Lewis Brewer, Cheri Kirby, Beverly Detillion, Brian Box and Melinda Stafford.

Members approved the payment of bills and treasurer’s report before adjourning.

Plant Board approves budget

By Dennis Brown

The Vanceburg Electric Plant Board met in regular session last week and approved the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Superintendent Eric Bloomfield said total projected appropriations for the electric department were set at $7,415,000; water department at $773,000; sewer department at $295,000; and gas department at $1,455,000.

Bloomfield said there was an increase in the electric department’s budget of about $1.5 million due to an increase charged to the utility company by electricity supplier Kentucky Power. He added the budget also included the purchase of a new pumper truck to replace a 1976 model truck currently utilized by the company.

Bloomfield noted the budget relies heavily on the amount of utilities used by customers and that varies according to weather. More natural gas and electricity are used during times of cold weather, for example.

Bloomfield said progress is being made on the collection of delinquent accounts as well as bad debts that had been written off the books in previous years. He said about $1,700 a month is being collected on the delinquent accounts and that a service recently implemented by the utility company has helped in the collection of bad debts.

He said the collection of delinquent accounts has been a priority since he accepted the position of superintendent at the beginning of the year. He emphasized that he is working with customers who owe past-due amounts and is setting up affordable payment schedules for them to help them get current on their accounts.

Bloomfield reviewed the sale of whole-house surge protectors by the utility company and said that about 25 of the surge protectors have been installed in homes in the Plant Board’s service area over the past two months.

He said he highly recommends the inexpensive protection and noted that the company which produces the protectors will cover losses from any damage received while the equipment is in place. He added that with summer storms almost a certainty, the cost of the device would be a wise investment for homeowners.

Bloomfield told utility commissioners that he is planning workshops for utility customers interested in lowering their bills by conserving their use of electricity and natural gas. He said he would begin this summer with workshops for commercial customers and later with workshops for homeowners to provide advice and tips to cut costs on their utility expenses.

He said that renovations taking place at the utility office include adequate insulation and the installation of high efficiency heating and cooling units. He added that the work being done, which will also include landscaping and the installation of carpeting, is the first major work to be done at the building in some 30 years.

Bloomfield said a $100,000 grant, which had earlier been approved by the state and then placed in the wrong project, will not be coming to the local utility company at all. He said he had received notice that funds had been “over-appropriated” and the money is no longer available.

He said he had hoped to use the money for closed-circuit television inspection and mapping of sewer lines in the city. The information would save money when the utility company bids out projects for repairs in the future.

Bloomfield said he had received a letter confirming that a renovation project for the sewer system between Front Street and the railroad has ranked high on the priority list for funding. The grant would amount to about $2.5 million toward a project estimated to cost about $3.7 million. The project will be to separate sanitary sewer and drainage lines, a requirement by the state.

Bloomfield said the utility company will also be applying for an Energy Efficiency block Grant to replace the existing street lights in the city with high efficiency LED lights. He hopes to replace an estimated 300 lights and is applying for $150,000 in grant funds for the project.

He said the newer lights are about 44 percent more energy efficient and last about twice as long as the present lights. He noted that the utility company currently spends about $11,000 per month for street lights system-wide.

Members approved minutes of the previous meeting and payment of bills before adjourning.

Tim Walters announces candidacy for sheriff

By Dennis Brown

Tim Walters, a lifelong Lewis County resident, says he has filed the necessary paperwork to seek the Republican nomination for the office of Lewis County Sheriff next May.

“The Lewis County Sheriff should follow the principles of the law, be merciful in actions and deeds, and strive to reveal the truth in all situations,” Walters said, adding he has a strong desire to serve the county with these essential principles and actions.

“It is my intention to serve the people of this county through extensive preparation, position and protection,” he stated.

Walters is a devoted family man and says he embraces a heritage in law enforcement as well as the legacy of honesty, morality and service imprinted upon him by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

“I am proud to let the citizens of Lewis County know that I am the son of Bob and Jane Walters, the fraternal grandson of the late Lafe and Ethel Walters, and the maternal grandson of the late Cecil and Elsie Spriggs,” Walters stated.

“My grandfather was a deputy sheriff in Concord for several years, I had an uncle who serve as a deputy in garrison, and an uncle who served as Constable of District Three,” he added.

Walters said the decision to declare his candidacy for sheriff was not made lightly, stating that he gave careful consideration to his choice then immediately set t work on an action plan to achieve his goal of serving Lewis County to the best of his ability.

The first step, he said, was proper education. Walters successfully completed 51 college hours in the field of Criminal Justice with a GPA of 3.88, then used that knowledge to develop a plan to serve the residents of Lewis County.

He said he has listened to the residents of the county and determined the goals they felt were important of the sheriff to pursue. He said he learned that residents strongly feel that equal representation among all areas of Lewis County is vital.

Walters said he plans to position deputies in all areas of the county and to respond to all those in need of assistance. “If I am elected as your sheriff I will make a commitment to the people of Lewis County, the ones who supported me as well as the ones who did not, he stated. “I will redistribute the deputies so that no precinct in our county is without a law enforcement agent, and when someone calls for help there will be an officer to respond to the call in a timely manner,” he added.

Walters said equal representation among all Lewis Countians is a high priority. “By serving all of Lewis County, I plan to improve the quality of life of all the county’s citizens, young and old alike,” he said. “I will dedicate myself to serving and protecting each and every person.”

“I have a strong desire to improve the future of Lewis County by developing programs and policies to help the county’s youth,” Walters said. “All deputies assigned to work with youth will undergo extensive screening to ensure the protection of youth and the success of youth programs.”

Walters said he plans to seek funding through grants for the success of youth programs in various areas of the county, securing funding through outside sources and not using local taxpayer dollars. “I would also like to secure outside

Photo Submitted

Tim Walters has announced his candidacy as a Republican candidate for Lewis County Sheriff.

funds for a program to rehabilitate first time offenders, giving them work opportunities and money for college,” he added.

“Drugs are being distributed in our county freely. It continues to grow worse every day at an alarming rate. Our schools have been infiltrated with drugs and violence, and I believe that I am the candidate to put a stop to these very problems that our county faces on a daily basis,” he said.

Along with protecting the youth of Lewis County, Walters says he plans to implement programs to better serve all citizens of the county.

One plan is to secure additional funding for the county’s dedicated emergency personnel in order to vastly improve the response time in emergency situations. He said he will also have an open door policy encouraging each and every citizen to voice their suggestions or concerns.

“As sheriff, I promise to give all citizens the respect and thoughtful consideration they deserve, he said.

“I have enjoyed meeting with the people I have spoken with so far,” he said. “I look forward to meeting with as many of the people of Lewis County as possible in the coming months to share my ideas of how we can make our count a better place to live.”

Walters said he encourages all those who have questions or concerns to let him know and welcomes the opportunity to discuss any ideas or problems with any citizen of the county.

“I fully acknowledge that I am not perfect,” he stated. “I realize that human nature causes many communication problems and I do not want to offend anyone. If I have already inadvertently offended anyone, I would like the opportunity to apologize and begin again with communication lines open on both ends.”

“I want to extend a special thanks to my wife, Beverly, and our children, Samantha and Kayla,” he said. “Without my family’s support, I couldn’t do this. Before I ever made the decision to run for office, I discussed it with my wife. She has given me her full support and encouragement.”

“I also want to thank my Mom and Dad, Bob and Jane Walters, who are working with me to ensure that the citizens of Lewis County understand my views and plans for the sheriff’s office,” he added.

Applegate outlines plans for projects

By Dennis Brown

Lewis County Judge Executive Steve Applegate said last week that his office is continuing to apply for funding for a wide range of county projects and said that although the county has received funds for some projects, there are many more that can be done if the money becomes available.

Applegate said Lewis County Fiscal Court has applied for funding for road and bridge projects, water and sewer projects and various other infrastructure improvements.

“W request for funding through the Federal Economic Recovery Package was submitted to the Kentucky State Transportation Cabinet for 14 county roads in the amount of $1,578,991.68,” Applegate said.

“Applications for funding for the Garrison Sewer Project are currently being reviewed for approval. Many other projects have been submitted from the various water districts for infrastructure improvements,” he said.

Applegate said the state released the 2008-10 Biennial Highway Construction Plan which includes a bridge replacement for the Skidmore Lane Bridge, reconstruction of the entrance of Straight Fork Road, reconstruction of a section of Firebrick-Indian Run Road and the construction of a bridge at the Lewis/Fleming County line on Ky. Rt. 57.

“The funding for these projects was possible through a combined effort of Senator Charlie Borders, Representative Robin Webb and the staff at the Buffalo Trace Area Development District office,” he said, adding that local officials also helped to lobby for securing funding for the much needed projects.

“Lewis County is very fortunate and thankful to have Senator Borders and Representative Webb working on our behalf,” he said.

“I recently attended a Federal Aid Highway Program Guidance Workshop at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort,” Applegate said. “This training certifies that I can apply for Federal economic Recovery Package Stimulus funding on behalf of the Lewis County Fiscal Court.”

“There are Federal dollars out there and Lewis County Fiscal Court will apply for and try to receive as much funding as possible,” he added.

Applegate said Lewis County has been fortunate in the last few years to receive funding and complete many needed projects. They include the new Lewis County Health Department, new Lewis County Animal Shelter, new Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center, new Tollesboro Industrial Park Water Tower, recreational parks along Kinniconick Creek, water and sewer line extensions and many road and bridge projects.

“There is a never-ending list of projects that I would like for Lewis County to be able to receive funding for,” Applegate stated. “It is my intention to work toward these goals. If there are any projects anyone has in mind, or if anyone has any questions or concerns about Lewis County in general, I urge them to call my office.”

Applegate can be reached at 606-796-2722.

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