HADLEY DUVALL receives a proclamation from Midway Mayor Stacy Thurman
naming April 27, 2024, Hadley Duvall Day. Hadley could not attend for
personal reasons and “zoomed in” to the ceremony. (Photo by Scott White)
Midway Mayor Stacy Thurman issued a proclamation naming Saturday, April
27, “Hadley Duvall Day” at its April 22 Midway City Council meeting as
part of Sexual Violdence Awareness and Education Month.
Duvall is a Midway University student who will graduate in May. She was
serially raped by her father for several years until she found a way to
report him during high school. Duvall plans to pursue a career
advocating for victims of sexual violence – something she began doing
soon after her father’s conviction.
After receiving the proclamation, Duvall said, “We need to normalize
talking about the risks of sexual violence and how to support victims .
. . this will help reduce the fear that victims have about reporting
what happened to them.”
The council also passed a companion proclamation stating that “Midway
will strive to be a safe place where sexual violence is not tolerated,
and victims are welcomed and empowered.”
Thurman said she wants to partner with other community organizations
and agencies.
“Proclamations like these shouldn’t just be written, but carry action to
follow up,” she said. “We want to collaborate with other community
partners on measures and initiatives . . . which empower victims,
bystanders who witness abuse and educate people about the importance of
consent, respect and healthy boundaries.”
Councilmember Sara Hicks said Ampersand, a program from the Bluegrass
Rape Crisis Center, provides “volunteers to advocate for victims of
sexual violence, and the center provides all the needed training.”
Council members Mary Raglin, Dee Williams and Thurman all said they had
volunteered with the center in the past.
Code violation process
The council heard the second reading of a proposed ordinance which
significantly amends the existing code’s procedures on the enforcement,
fines and appeals for violations. Councilmember Patrick Hall, who took
the lead on the project with the assistance of City Attorney Sharon
Gold, along with input from Planning Director Steve Hunter, used a
PowerPoint presentation to describe the changes and the new process.
Hall said it was important to create a single process in the code for
appeals from violations for clarity and so violators would understand
the rules. The proposed changes put “real teeth” into the enforcement
process, according to Hall.
“Currently, if we go through the whole enforcement process and the
owner ignores it, then nothing really can happen,” he said. “With the
new process, the fines have been tripled and they can be collected, or
other more serious things can happen.”
One issue that arose was the lack of a code enforcement officer. The
council discussed various options including partnering with the
Versailles-Midway-Woo ford County Planning Commission to hire and share
the costs of an officer or even use a member of the Midway Volunteer
Fire Department. Thurman said she will work with the council to explore
the best options, but first wants to hear the thoughts of the newly
constituted Code Enforcement Board chaired by Steele Rouse, who was
present, including the development of a position description.
Blue Jay Park
After three weeks of hearing from residents, reading posts on Midway
Musings and talking to the folks who live near it, the council named the
park behind the old Midway School “Blue Jay Park”. Councilmember Logan
Vance said all teams who ever played at Midway School in its history
were called the Blue Jays. Thurman said, “We are looking at a way to
memorialize the people who grew up around there and we can do better by
them.”
White Dog Trading permit
Council approved a special variance for White Dog Trading to do work at
their facility in a two-day period.