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By Al Owens

Meeting in regular session last week on the first day of classes for the 2005-06 school year superintendent Maurice Reeder, Jr. announced that the first day went really well.

Reeder said, “We’ve had the best PD (professional development) we’ve ever had.”

He added, “The first day just went great.”

Reeder also lauded Trace Creek Construction Company for its outstanding work in getting floor tile laid at Tollesboro Elementary before school started.

The superintendent told the board that the new fitness room was ready. He said that the educators wanted a place where the student athletes, employees and others could lift weights and workout during the day.

Reeder then took the board on a tour of the fitness room. Football coach Corky Prater and track and field coach Michael Reichert guided the tour. Several student athletes demonstrated the exercise equipment and weight lifting techniques. The room is divided into different stations so order could be maintained when 40 people or more are in the room at the same time.

Coach Prater told the crowd that the room was badly needed and would give all the athletic programs a big boost.

Returning to Room 16 in the Foster Meade Career and Technical Center where the August meeting was held in order to tour the fitness room the meeting continued with a report by Belinda Forman on the first CATS scores received.

Forman said that all the schools individually met their Adequate Yearly Progress goals but the district as a whole did not. It did meet 10 out of 13 target goals. However, she pointed out that so far only one third of the scores had been received. The other two thirds will be received on Aug. 30. The same thing happened last year, and when all the scores were tabulated the district did reach its AYP. She hopes that happens again this year.

She explained that some of the schools did not have enough students in certain categories to enter them in the district count. Because of the lack of numbers the district missed its AYP when all the schools met theirs.

Reeder then introduced two new members of the Central Office Staff. Diane Johnson is now serving as the Instructional Supervisor, and Paula Lewis is the new Director of Special Education.

Reeder told the board that the Foster Meade Career and Technical Center was among 18 school districts out of 176 to receive the “Met All Five” Award at the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education (KACTE) Summer Program.

The event was held in the Galt House in Louisville on July 25-27. He said that an excellent article on that achievement was published in the Lewis County Herald. (See the August 2, 2005 issue.)
The board approved the annual financial report. Reeder said that the school district had a carry over from last year of nearly one million dollars. He told the board that revenues were 2.7 percent above expectations and that the district only spent 93.4 percent of what planners thought they would spend.
The board also approved the carryover instructional money, the carryover support money and indirect costs in order to comply with audit regulations.
Reeder explained that the indirect costs have to do with working with the federal and state school lunch programs. The schools pay for the overhead such as lights and utilities and then receive 10.5 percent of that back. Last year that total was about $73,000. This is an agreement between the Department of Education and the Lewis County Schools.
The board awarded the milk and ice cream bid to Trauth Dairy, the food service contract to Gordon Food Services and the bread contract to Heiner’s.
The board also approved the motor vehicle and watercraft tax rate at 49 cents per $100 of assessed property value. That rate has remained unchanged for the past eight years.
The board awarded the psychological evaluation contract to East Kentucky Psychological Resources, Cattletsburg.
The board approved a revised BG1 for the girls’ softball field. Two bids were opened the week before, and the low bid of $64,800 came from JMK Electrical Company. With the additional fees the total cost of the revised BG1 is $77,210. Then the board approved the contract with JMK for the work pending approval by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDOE).
The board also approved a revised BG1 for the partial roof replacement at Lewis County Central and the Lewis County Middle School. The low bid of $73,777 came from Urethane of Kentuckiana, Inc., Louisville. With the added fees the total cost is $87,239. Again the board quickly approved the contract with the company to do that work pending approval by the KDOE.
In a routine matter the board approved this year’s participation in the Foster Grandparent Program.
The board approved the following field trips: LCHS FFA, state fair, Louisville (overnight); and the LCHS football schedule, games.

Magistrates hear reading of franchise agreement

By Al Owens
Meeting in regular session last week the Lewis County Fiscal Court moved to accept the first reading of an ordinance establishing a 10-year franchise agreement with Adelphia Cable for the western portion of the county from Clarksburg toward Maysville.
Third district magistrate Keith Chapman asked Carla Deaton, Government Affairs Manager out of Adelphia’s office in Richmond, if the cable company would reinstate a second NBC channel in eastern Lewis County. It has been reinstated in the lineup in the western part of the county.
Deaton responded that she cannot speak for what Time/Warner might do. The communications giant is in the process of buying out Adelphia.
The franchise agreement for eastern Lewis County was put on hold until County Attorney Clayton “Buddy” Lykins Jr. can receive and go over an updated and current copy of the agreement.
Joe Harp of Harp Enterprises, Lexington, appeared before the court to display the new eslate Electronic Voting System the county must install and to discuss the changes in new election regulations for the state.
The voting devices can be attached to the voting machines the county currently uses. The new devices are multifaceted but simple to use. They are flexible enough for use by the handicapped or visually impaired.
The necessary upgrades cost about $300 per machine but will be federally funded through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) enacted by the federal government in 2002 after the Bush/Gore Florida voting debacle. The law requires that the county have the equipment purchased and installed by next year’s primary elections.
The court moved to advertise for bids on the equipment.
The court opened the bids for chip/seal for the fiscal year. Two bids were received, and the court accepted the low bid of $44,250 from Gaddie-Shamrock, Columbia. The contract calls for the company to provide the equipment, haul and labor. The county will provide the materials and the oil. According to the bid any material hauled over ten miles will cost an additional 20 cents per ton per mile.
The court received only one bid for drilling, furnishing and installing piling on Crooked Creek. The bid of $23,800 from E&E Construction, Vanceburg was accepted.
The court approved the reappointment of Steve Harris, Vanceburg, to the Lewis County Industrial Authority. His term will expire in August 2009.
The court approved a resolution and agreement between the county government and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Department of Intergovernmental Programs to perform bituminous resurfacing on various county roads. The state has provided funds totaling $494,815 for that purpose. The roads listed are Quicks Run, Big Cabin Creek, Smooth Rock Road, Fly Branch and various streets in Garrison.
The court moved to approve an annual installment of financial support of $15,000 for the Lewis County Conservation District.
Although no sexually oriented businesses now operate in Lewis County the fiscal court followed the precedent of several other counties and approved the first reading of an ordinance that gives the local government authority to regulate any such businesses and their employees.
Lykins told the court that the ordinance would be a good thing to have just in case someone comes in to start a sexually oriented business. The ordinance is for the purpose of the safety and welfare of the county and includes restrictions and requirements for the businesses to comply with in order to operate.
The court approved the 2006 motor vehicle and watercraft property tax at 14.1 cents per $100 of assessed value. That rate is unchanged from last year.
The court gave approval for the Electric Plant Board of the City of Vanceburg, the Western Lewis-Rectorville Water and Gas District and the Garrison Water Board to be named as sub-grantee for state funds allocated for various water and sewer projects.
Lewis County Sheriff Bill Lewis explained to the court that his department has four full time certified deputies, one part time certified deputy, six non-certified deputies working in the Justice Building and one special deputy who does not get any compensation. The salary of one full time deputy has been paid several years by a federal grant, but that grant is expiring this month. He requested that the court pay the remainder of that deputy’s salary for the remainder of the fiscal year at a cost of about $14,300. After that the court can put his salary in the budget.

Second district magistrate Todd Ruckel stated that the county cannot tolerate the reduction in law enforcement the loss of one deputy would cause and moved to grant the Sheriff’s request. The motion carried unanimously.
Chapman asked the court if an ordinance could be drawn up requiring CSX Railroad to repair the railroad crossings in the county. Several are in bad shape and CSX has not repaired them after the county’s many requests in that regard.
Lykins said that he has two concerns about that. One is whether the county has jurisdiction in the matter since the railroad is under federal regulations. And two, CSX may have the option of closing the crossings rather than repairing them.
The court moved to authorize Lykins to investigate the situation to determine if the county can legally require CSX to repair the crossings.
On another matter, Lykins explained to the court that the local law library was currently under the control of the fiscal court although it has been inactive regarding the library. At the request of the local bar he asked the court to turn the operation of the library over to three trustees. By law the county attorney has to be on that board in addition to a trustee appointed by the court and another elected by the local bar association.
Lykins told the court that the library would be funded from court costs and filing fees in both the district and circuit courts.
The court adopted a resolution authorizing those changes.
The court also approved four appointments to the Lewis County Planning Commission. Terry LeMaster was appointed to the commission for a term that expires July 31, 2006; Phil Hull to a term to expire July 31, 2007; Chad Clark to a term expiring on July 31, 2008; and Frank Ash to a term that will expire on July 31, 2009.
In his routine monthly jailer’s report Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood told the court that the Department of Corrections is providing extra compensation to jails that institute extra programs to help out the inmates. He said that the local detention center already has several of those programs implemented including the GED, AA, NA, religious services, a vocational skills program, a victim impact class, anger management classes and basic interview skills.
He also announced that he was selected to serve on the Kentucky Rules and Regulations Committee for jails, and that several of the committee’s recommendations were approved and will soon go into effect.
Underwood, also an ordained Baptist minister and local pastor, was appointed Chaplain of the Kentucky Jailers’ Association on July 14.
He announced that the state jail inspection has just been completed and the inspection was good and clear.
At Underwood’s request the court approved the current Policies and Procedural Manual. It has no changes from last year’s manual.
The monthly treasurer’s report shows that the county received a total of $446,339.13 from all funds. Disbursements totaled $206,106.10 leaving a cash balance of $240,233.03.
First district magistrate Milt Stanfield related a complaint from some of his constituents regarding a problem with the Amish families near Tollesboro driving their horses on public roads. The horses do what horses do and leave manure on the streets and highways, and that manure is messing up some otherwise clean vehicles. The residents are complaining about that.
County Judge Executive Steve Applegate chimed in that he, too, has received those complaints.
Stanfield asked if the county could pass an ordinance requiring the Amish or anyone else using horse drawn vehicles to install baskets on their wagons to take care of that problem. The court moved to authorize the County Attorney to investigate that matter.
He court entered a closed session to discuss the sale of real estate and potential litigation.
Upon returning to open session the court moved to approve the county judge and the county attorney to jointly with Northern contours hire an environmental engineer for negotiating with Northern Contours on payment relating to environmental cleanup and costs.
Applegate commended the Solid Waste Department and the Jail for the good work of the Detention Center inmates in helping with the Tollesboro Lions Club Fair.
Before adjourning Applegate announced that the next regular session of the fiscal court will be held on Monday, Sept. 12, at 9:30 a.m. in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.

Accident claims lives of two Vanceburg men

The Lewis County Sheriff's Department is investigating a single vehicle accident Saturday in which two Vanceburg men died.
A spokesman with the Lewis County Sheriff's Department said the accident happened about 5:45 p.m. Saturday on Ky. Rt. 8 just west of Garrison.
Deputy Jason Hill said a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, operated by Steven K. Flannigan, 19, of Vanceburg, was traveling west on the roadway when he apparently lost control of the vehicle, dropped off the right side of the roadway, traveled about 180 feet while coming into contact with several trees, and came to rest on its top at the bottom of an embankment between the roadway and CSX tracks.

Hill said Flannigan and a passenger, Jason Rister, 25, also of Vanceburg, were thrown from the vehicle. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene by Lewis County Coroner Tony Gaydos. Hill said is appeared that seatbelts were not in use at the time of the accident, which remains under investigation by Deputy Dwayne Stone.

Stone was assisted at the scene by Deputies Johnny Bivens, Joe Paul Gilbert and Hill, along with Garrison Fire and Rescue, Portsmouth Ambulance, the Lewis County Coroner's office and Dobo's Wrecker Service.

Dennis Brown/Lewis County Herald Lewis County Herald

Lewis County Sheriff's Deputies Jason Hill, Joe Paul Gilbert and Johnny Bivens look over the scene of a fatal accident Saturday near Garrison. Two Vanceburg men died as the result of the single vehicle accident.

Autopsies were scheduled for Monday in Northern Kentucky. Funereal arrangements for both men are under the direction of Dickerson Funeral Home in Vanceburg.

Residents request water lines

By Al Owens
Meeting in regular session last week the Electric Plant Board of Vanceburg entertained a request from four residents of Old Trace Ridge Road.
Virgil Kilgore, Paula Kilgore, Freda Davis and Emma Enix asked if they could have water lines run to their homes. Six families live on the road.
Board superintendent Phil Kennedy told the board that he and Kilgore had spoken about the issue several times.
Kennedy said he had offered to install the water lines if Rattlesnake Ridge would provide the hookups and water or sell water to the local utility company.
He said that Rattlesnake Ridge has continuously responded that the county owes them $20,000 for the installation of a water tank, and they won’t provide the hookups until they are paid.
Kennedy said, “But we’re not the county.”
He told the group that spending $200,000 to provide water for six families was cost prohibitive and that the governmental regulatory agencies would not permit him to do so.
The group plans to call on Rattlesnake Ridge again to try to persuade the company to accept Kennedy’s offer and then return to the next meeting of the Electric Plant Board.
Kennedy said, “How much better deal can you get than to have the lines run and then have them given to you?”
Turning to other business Kennedy told the board that the Utility Company has been working with the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security regarding the federal government’s National Incident Management System (NIMS).

He said, “We’ve got to get involved because we’ll be a first responder if any terror activity happens.”
Kennedy explained that the board has to adopt a resolution, and the employees have to pass a test for the Utility Company to qualify for money from a Homeland Security grant if any terrorist incident ever occurs in the area. The board adopted that resolution.
The board also approved a KIA Agreement that enables the company to receive funds directly from grants for the current water project to run water lines to Hackworth Hollow, Fingerboard, Big Salt Lick, Fuller, Scotch Branch and Toller Hollow. The project also includes a new water tank and repair of the water tank on Salt Lick.

The KIA agreement will make possible the direct reception of funds totaling $470,000 without having to go through the Fiscal Court. So far the project will get $239,000 of grant money from Rural Development, an ARC grant of $200,000. Over all in the $1,169,000 project the company only had to borrow $250,000. That means that 77 percent of the funds will come from grant money, and that is phenomenal. The 23 percent of the money from the loan is at an interest rate of 4.125 percent.

Kennedy said that the Plant Board would have Customer Appreciation Month in September. During that time all the customers that come in will be given free two energy-saving light bulbs that will burn for 10,000 hours.

The board moved to promote Gene Cooper to the position of Assistant Foreman in the Electric Department.

It also moved to officially donate an old 1985 backhoe to the City of Vanceburg so the city can trade it in on a newer 1993 model. The backhoe will be available for the utility company’s use when it is needed.

The board entered a closed session to discuss potential litigation but took no action on the matter. The board approved the financial reports and the August invoices before adjourning.

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