News

Vanceburg City Council adopts zoning ordinance

By Dennis Brown

Vanceburg City Council last week adopted a zoning ordinance last week following a public hearing at council chambers.

The ordinance, which is 84 pages long, regulates land use and structures in the city limits.

Vanceburg resident Roger Brown asked council members at the hearing why the city would need such an ordinance since it has existed more than 200 years without one.

Patty Kennard, who has been appointed as the city’s zoning administrator, explained that the ordinance isn’t very strict and that the present structures and use of land are grandfathered in and will not be affected by the ordinance.

Kennard said that Vanceburg is the only city in the area that hadn’t already enacted a zoning ordinance and many of the regulations addressed in the ordinance are already in place through state requirements or FEMA.

She said the ordinance will protect property owners and that many businesses looking at locating in areas want zoning laws in place.

“I feel like I have too many restrictions now. I don’t think we need any more,” Brown said. “This is telling me what I can and can not do with my property.”

Kennard said there are several restrictions and rules already on the books which have not been strictly enforced in the past and added that zoning will help property owners to protect their own property by giving the city property owners some rules to follow.

Harvey Denham, who said he was in favor of the zoning ordinance, expressed that someone could move in next to your property and take actions or locate structures on their property which could devalue nearby properties.

Mayor Angie Patton said the ordinance will help to make the city a more attractive place and make it more inviting for businesses to locate here.

Patton said that, as an example, there are some properties in Vanceburg which had been foreclosed on by distant

banks. She said the banks don’t keep up the properties and they have become run down and the properties aren’t maintained.

She said nearby residents to those properties have complained and the city has, in at least one case, been forced to tear down a structure and is mowing grass on the property.

“Right now there are no procedures in place to address that,” she said.

Kennard said the local ordinance was modeled after one adopted by Flemingsburg a few years ago. She said a local committee has spent several months on customizing it to suit Vanceburg.

City Attorney John Holder said the matter puts the government’s rights against individual rights and sets the rule that is best for the community.

“There has to be a balance,” Holder said. “It’s necessary for business to come into the city and for the city to grow and go into the future,” he said, adding that the chances of industry coming here are better with the ordinance in place.

“It will also allow for more federal and state funding to come into the city,” Holder added.

“I don’t really think we need it,” Brown said, adding he wished he’d had more time to look over the document.

“If something happens to my home, this says the government can tell me what I can build back,” he said.

“This paves the way toward the goals and objectives of the (city’s) planning committee,” Holder said. “It’s a learning process and the ordinance can be amended any time.”

Council adopted the ordinance and Patton named Kennard as the zoning administrator.

Patton said Kennard will fill the position at the same pay she is now receiving, although the additional responsibilities will increase her to a full-time employee and make her eligible for benefits.

Copies of the ordinance and land use maps are available at the city building during regular business hours. A copy of the Vanceburg land use map can be found here.

Kasey Nolen is candidate for District Two Magistrate

By Dennis Brown

Kasey Nolen has announced that he is a Republican candidate for Lewis County District Two Magistrate in the May 2010 Primary Election.

“I am humbled by the support I’ve already received in beginning this campaign process,” Nolen said upon making the announcement last week.

“I encourage the citizens of not only the Vanceburg area (Town Branch, Black Oak, Quicks Run, Lower Salt Lick and the AA Highway west to Herron Hill), but the entire Lewis County Community to get out and support not only me as the right candidate for Magistrate in District Two but the right candidates for all offices in the upcoming elections,” he said.

Nolen said his education and experience make him an excellent candidate for the office of magistrate.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Information Systems and has more than 300 continuing education hours in technology and quality improvement.

He has worked in business management as an assistant manager with Wal-Mart and was a service manager with a GM service center. His political and government background includes working in Frankfort and he has spent more than ten years in the field of technology working as a database manager, webmaster and network engineer.

Nolen says he has honed his skills in various fields including technical, managerial, farming, construction and working with people in multiple aspects.

Nolen says he has developed leadership qualities while he was a master cadet completing Army Office Training Camp at Fort Knox in 1996 and has co-chaired and served on a variety of committees and sub-committees on the state and Federal levels dealing with mental health care.

“Decisions made by the District Two Magistrate generally affect the entire county. Wherever you live in Lewis County, I ask for your support and encourage you to ask your friends and family to support me in the upcoming election,” he said.

Kasey Nolen - File Photo

“Get out and let your voice be heard and support the candidate that will see to it that your voice is heard in local government,” Nolen says. “I will not make those empty promises that are not kept. I will make sure that an open line of communication is held between local government and the people of this great county by providing my own website and publishing newsletters for your review.”

“I will not hide from the residents of my district and I will be upfront and honest at all times,” Nolen said. “I want to thank everyone for all the support I’ve been given since making the decision to run for this office, it is greatly appreciated.”

Nolen said he looks forward to meeting all the residents of District Two and hearing concerns and suggestions from all Lewis County residents.

Anita Gilbert is candidate for Judge Executive

By Dennis Brown

Anita M. Gilbert has filed her letter of intent with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance to begin her campaign as a Democratic candidate for the office of Lewis County Judge Executive.

Gilbert said her goals for the office are to unite the county and the City of Vanceburg in working together for the good of all involved; to work closely with Frankfort and all Federal, state, and local government officials to bring employment to the county; to work with the residents and businesses to bring about needed improvements and progress for the county; to work with the youth of the county; and to always work with the people on their ideas for changes and improvements.

Gilbert said she believes all the citizens of the county should have a voice and not only will she listen to them; but, she will fight for them and stand beside them.

“We are all in this together and shall work together in order for the county to prosper and grow,” Gilbert stated.

“The final decision may be in the hands of the Lewis County Judge Executive and the magistrates; but, it needs to be based on the input of all the concerned residents and not just a few,” she added.

She said she believes in the principle, “Promise to Deliver”. Gilbert vowed she will not make a lot of promises that are not realistic. “If something cannot be done, I will let the residents know why and together we can look for alternatives,” she said.

“Too often the citizens are not always well informed and not aware of what is happening until after it is a done deal,” she stated.

Gilbert would like to see Town Hall meetings at different locations throughout the county to allow the residents to voice their opinions and hear firsthand what is happening from the Judge Executive and their own magistrate.

Gilbert stated she feels strongly that people need to become more involved and it is her goal to create a venue where this becomes a reality.

She is married to Jack R. Gilbert and they reside in the Quincy area. Her son, Eric B. Hickle, was involved in a fatal car accident on December 29, 1997, at the age of 21.

She is a 1975 graduate of Greenup County High School, attended Shawnee State University and has been a resident of Lewis County for more than 30 years.

Anita Gilbert - File Photo

Gilbert was employed in the banking industry for 28 years, working for Citizens Deposit Bank holding positions of teller to Senior Vice President; Bank One of Portsmouth as VP of Business Banking; and as Loan Review Manager for Premier Financial Bancorp (PFBI) in Huntington, West Virginia.

Gilbert stated her decision to leave PFBI was due to the excessive long distance traveling involved with her position, including the daily commute to her office. “I know firsthand the importance for employment locally for the county residents,” she added.

“I look forward to meeting as many people as possible during my campaign and talking one on one with them. I have never sought a political office but after attending the fiscal court meetings as a concerned citizen and listening to the residents, I decided I needed to become involved on a level where I could make a difference,” she said.

“Please join me as we begin to move forward for the betterment of all that reside in Lewis County,” Gilbert said.

Joe Paul Gilbert is candidate for Sheriff

By Dennis Brown

Vanceburg Police Officer Joe Paul Gilbert has filed the necessary paperwork to begin his campaign as a Republican candidate for Sheriff of Lewis County in the May 2010 Primary Election.

Gilbert has served the citizens of Lewis County over the past 13 years as an officer with the Vanceburg Police Department and deputy for the Lewis County Sheriff’s Department. He worked for two years with Kentucky State Police Facility Security.

He is a graduate of the Department of Criminal Justice and has received 40 hours of specialized training each year in the field of law enforcement.

“I will effectively use my 15 years of law enforcement experience and extensive training for the betterment of all the citizens of Lewis County,” Gilbert said. “My background, coupled with my compassion and sense of fairness for all, will make me an effective sheriff for the residents of Lewis County,” he added.

He resides on McCarthey Bend with his wife, Susan, daughter, Samantha, and sons, Tristan and Tatem.

“I appreciate all the support and encouragement the residents of Lewis County have given me to become the next Sheriff of Lewis County,” Gilbert said.

“I look forward to visiting and speaking with everyone over the next nine months and ask for your support,” he said.

Gilbert said he urges anyone with questions or concerns to feel free to contact him at home. The telephone number is 606-796-9498.

Joe Paul Gilbert - File Photo

“I pledge to address all the needs of all the citizens of Lewis County and will uphold the law while diligently working to eradicate the problems and solving crimes in our great county,” he added.

County officials present July activities

By Dennis Brown

Lewis County officials presented their monthly activity reports during the August meeting of Lewis County Fiscal Court.

Sheriff Bill Lewis filed his department’s report for activities from July 13, 2009, to August 10, 2009:

* Subpoenas Served 88

* Domestic Related Calls 56

* Civil Summons Served 37

* Felony Arrests 27

* Misdemeanor Arrests 22

* Accident Investigations 10

* Juvenile Investigations 22

* Criminal Summons 12

* Prisoners Transp. to Secure Facility 492 miles

* Juveniles Transported 86 miles

* DVOs and EPOs 12

* Court Bailiff Hours 449

* Prescription Deliveries 1

* Auto Inspections 76

* Funeral Escorts 6

Lewis County Emergency Management Director Carl Chaney reported the following activities:

* Performed all routine administrative/office tasks as required by KyEM.

* Turned in all monthly reports for KyEM.

* Attended a Hazmat meeting in Fleming County.

* Met with a Code Red representative.

* Attended a highway transportation meeting at BTADD.

* Attended the Governor’s Emergency Management Workshop at Louisville.

* Attended a County Fire Association meeting.

* Working on FEMA paperwork.

* Working on 911 issues.

* Working of Flood Plain issues.

* Provided dispatch coverage.

The Lewis County E-911 Dispatch Center received a total of 374 calls for service for the following agencies:

* Sheriff’s Department 156

* Vanceburg Police Department 81

* Traffic Stops 31

* Injury Accidents 8

* Non-injury Accidents 10

* Complaints 76

Fire Department and other calls:

* Lewis Co. FD 4

* Camp Dix FD 4

* Garrison FD 7

* Vanceburg FD 0

* Firebrick FD 4

* Black Oak FD 2

* Kinniconick FD 1

* Tollesboro FD 8

* Med Corp Ambulance 105

* Coroner 2

Road Supervisor Dane Howard reported that more than 4,971 tons of gravel and 532.1 tons of asphalt had been hauled over the previous month and said pothole repairs had been made at Trinity Station Road, Skidmore Lane, Sand Branch, Fairview, Little Sulphur, Creamery Pike, Quicks Run, Craycraft Road, Warren Cemetery, Howie Lane, Murphy’s Lane, Hampton Lane, Craycraft Lane, Southern Manor, Garrard Road, Manley Hollow, Old Trace, Beechy Creek Road, Smith Lane and Rock Run Road.

Graded roads included Horseshoe Bend Road, Straight Fork, Fugate Lane, Elk Lick, Slate Point, Slate Hollow, Fly Branch, Hazel, Happy Hollow, Fingerboard, Mud Lick, Perry Branch, Raccoon Road, Gilliam Cemetery Road, Garden Branch, Bear Branch, Bigden Hollow, Thorpe Ridge, Sargeant’s Branch, Rock

Camp, Holly Road, Oak Hill, Cedar Hill, Craycraft Road, Paint Lick Road, Burnt Cabin, Black Lick, Elk Lick, Logan Fork, Perry Branch, Fuller Branch, Clarksburg Road, Cooper Fork, McCleese Hollow, Crooked Creek, Gilliam Cemetery Road, Burt Logan Road, Horseshoe Bend, Buck Lick Road, Twin Branch and the Camp Dix area.

Howard reported that pipe had been installed or repaired at Bear Branch, Quicks Run, Greenlawn Road, Oak Ridge, Bowman Springs, Greenbriar Road, Fuller Branch, Holly Road, Rock Run Road, Crooked Creek, Big Cabin Creek, Manley Hollow, Bill Chain, McDowell, Sandy Lane, Thurman Lane, Rock Camp, Toller Hollow, Long Branch, Webster Cemetery Road, Mulligan Hollow, Buck Lick, Old State Fork, Clarksburg Branch and Spy Run Road.

Red Brush, Long Branch, Straight Fork, Elk Lick, Sandy Lane, Lori Lane and Skidmore Lane received ditching or road widening.

Tree and debris removal/brush cutting/mowing was reported for the Burtonville area, Lewis Lane, Lambert Branch, Stone Branch, Creamery Pike, Garrard Road, Toller Hollow, Hackworth Branch, Holly Road, Ghost Hollow Road, McDowell Road, Heddleston Road, Beechy Hill, Skidmore Lane, Bill Chain Road, Garrison area, Black Oak, Old Trace Road, Poplar Flat, Rock Run Road, Big Cabin Road, Lower Kinney Road, Horseshoe Bend Road, Union Hill, Waterbirch, Fly Branch, Old Trace, Craycraft Road, Tar Fork Road, Lyles Lane, Fugate Lane, Pine valley Road, Ribolt-Epworth Road, Oak Ridge area, Quicks Run Road and all roads in the Tannery District.

He reported bridge redecking and bridge repairs for Toller Hollow, Big Cabin Creek, Stone Branch/Davis and Lower Kinney Road.

Howard reported other repairs at Murphy’s Lane, Oak Hill, Crooked Creek, Manley Hollow, Straight Fork, Elk Lick, Sandy Lane, Lori Lane, Bradford Lane, Ribolt-Epworth, Rock Run, Hazel, Hackworth Branch, Skidmore Lane, Old State Fork, Raccoon, Stamper Branch, Perry Branch, Twin Branch, Garden Branch, Mud Lick, Bill Chain, Clarksburg Branch, Bear Branch, Spy Run and Holly Road.

Lewis County Jailer Tim Underwood filed the following activity report for July 1 – 31, 2009:

Inmate Population:

* State Inmates CC/CD/CI 35

* Traded 0

* Served Out 1

* Paroled 4

* County Inmates 45

* Inmates Booked In 74

* Average Daily Jail Population 80

Fees/Payments Collected:

* Booking, Housing, Medical, Damaged Property $1,525.82

* Telephone Commission $1,116.14

* Class D/CC/CI Pay for July $36,573.78

Food

* Somerset Food in July $6,365.62

Traveled 200 Miles

* Blackburn Correctional Complex

Underwood reported that 40 Class D inmates participated in the work program totaling 5,000 man hours. The agencies they assisted included The Lewis County Courthouse, Justice Center, Sheriff’s Department, City of Vanceburg, Solid Waste Program, Clean Highways Program, Garrison Little League, Garrison Boat Docks, Tollesboro Little League, Lewis County Historical Society, Lewis County Board of Education, Corps of Engineers, Helen Rayburn Library, and the Black Oak, Tollesboro and Camp Dix Fire Departments.

Areas covered by the Clean Highways Program included Skidmore Lane, Garrison Lane, Indian Run, Craycraft Lane, Ky. Rt. 1306, Lions Club Lane, Bel Air Drive, Poplar Flats, Ky, Rt. 57, Smith Lane, Martin Lane and Hickory Hollow. A total of 372 bags of waste were picked up.

Underwood reported the commissary account at the jail totaled $8,928.05 and the inmate account had a balance of $7,212.11.

Lewis County Animal Control Officer Shawn Henderson reported that there were 12 pickups in Lewis County for the month of July. Drop offs totaled 34; 4 adoptions; and 13 tagged.

Henderson reported that Ohio Fuzzy Paws donated dog food valued at $75.00 and blankets and supplies valued at $85 were also donated to the shelter.

County Treasurer Kathy Dillow reported the total of all county funds for the month of July had a beginning balance of $635,269.40 and an ending balance of $565,168.47. Receipts for the month totaled $350,547.95 while disbursements totaled $420,648.88.

The next regular meeting of Lewis County Fiscal Court will be at 9:30 a.m. September 14, 2009, in the third floor courtroom of the Lewis County Courthouse.

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