By Tracy McGuire

On Monday, June 26, the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and 50 guests gathered at fellow chamber member Kenny's Restaurant to celebrate Lewis County and its finest.

The evening was filled with delicious food; networking; an educational, entertaining speaker; and the Best of the Best awards ceremony. This annual banquet proved to be quite a treat for many.

The evening kicked off with a fantastic buffet dinner prepared by Kenny's.

After the meal, Bill Teegarden, Program Manager of Adult Education at Maysville Community and Technical College spoke on several new programs being implemented by the state to help better qualify employees for the job market. The free instructional programs can help businesses to see first hand the qualifications of the employee in turn creating a strong workforce for our area. The statistics of the companies that have implemented these programs are outstanding -- showing an increase in productivity, a decrease in turnover, and a decrease in waste of material. For more information on these programs please contact Lewis County Adult Education.

After dinner and a wonderful Keynote speaker, the evening progressed to the second annual Best of the Best Awards Ceremony. This prestigious awards program was developed in 2005 to honor Lewis County businesses and/or individuals for their dedication to the growth of the area. Seven of the awards were voted on by citizens of Lewis County and one (the Meriwether Lewis Award) was selected by the Lewis County Chamber Board of Directors.

And the winners are:

Spirit Award for Business Beautification: Kenny's Restaurant.

Manufacturer/Industry of the Year: Hollinee.

New Business of the Year: Mama Joe's Pizza.

Educator of the Year: Jacqui Cordle.

Agribusiness of the Year: Rips Farm Center.

Community Organization of the Year: Lewis County Adult Education.

Business of the Year: Lewis County Foodland.

Meriwether Lewis Award: Patty Kennard.

The evening closed with an open floor discussion, which allowed members and guest to speak out about their ideas for Lewis County and/or the Chamber. Comments that were made were motivational and encouraging.

One member stated that our city, our county, and our people need to work as a team to introduce Lewis County to the rest of the world -- bring them to visit and they just might stay! Many talked about the resources Lewis County has to offer and making sure they were used to their maximum capacity. Steve Arnold, Vice Chairman of the Chamber, commented on the chamber needing more hands of involvement in order for the organization to move forward. This inspired discussion of the Chamber of Commerce possibly teaming up to share space in the newly remodeled Commercial Hotel, so that it would serve as both a headquarter for the Chamber and the Visitors Center. All the ideas offered will be further discussed at the next meeting for the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce on July 27 at 5:15 p.m. at Lewis County Primary Care Center's Conference Room.

The Chamber of Commerce would like to extend thanks to all of its members and guest who attended the banquet, as well as, Kenny’s Restaurant for such wonderful food, and Lewis County Trophy for producing beautiful awards for the Best of the Best ceremony. If anyone would like more information on the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce please contact Tracy McGuire at 606-796-6010 or by email at tmuncy@lcpcc.org. The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce is always accepting new members (both business and individual).

By Al Owens

Meeting in a recessed session Thursday, June 29, the Lewis County Fiscal Court took action to complete business for the current fiscal year. The new fiscal year began on July 1.

The board approved the reappointment of Dr. Ron Mays to the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County Board of Trustees. His new term will expire July 1, 2010.

The board approved the Lewis County Sheriff Department's 2005 tax settlement. Sheriff Bill Lewis said that his department came out $10 to the good.

The board also approved receipt of the 2005-2006 annual budget for the Helen H. Rayburn Public Library of Lewis County taxing district. The fiscal court does not approve the budgets but rather acknowledges that the budgets are submitted to the court and received.

The court approved the renewal of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan with KACO. Judge Executive Steve Applegate noted that the insurance cost has increased by 11 percent over last year.

The court tabled the motion to approve the continuation of the county pay plan on insurance premiums. Currently the county pays 66 percent and the county workers pay 33 percent. First District Magistrate Milt Stanfield questioned the plan and asked if there is any way the county can pay 75 percent and the employees 25 percent because the increased cost is hurting the workers so much financially. The court will look into the matter and return to the July session with the exact financial numbers and will act on the issue at that time.

The court approved the receipt of the Black Oak Volunteer Fire Department Taxing District's 2005-2006 annual budget.

The court also approved the second reading of the ordinance relating to the establishment of the Enhanced 911 emergency telephone service for the county.

Before adjourning the court approved all the claims and transfers for the General, Road and Bridge and Jail Accounts.

Applegate announced that the next regular session of fiscal court will be on Monday, July 10, at 9:30 a.m. in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse.