Editor’s note: Due to the early deadline last week, we are reporting on the Jan. 6, 2025, Midway City Council meeting this week.

By Scott White

Managing Editor

The meeting was held via Zoom due to the effects of the winter storm. Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said, “This is the first time we have had to do a Zoom meeting since COVID, but since we want people to stay off the road and we had a short agenda, I thought this was the best thing to do. I hope it is our last time not in person.”

Vandegrift announced the new Midway Fire & EMS Station located at 301 Lacefield Street is now open which provides 24-7 EMS service for the first time in Midway history. The dedication and public open house will be on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 3:30 p.m.

“This is an impressive state-of-the-art facility with both an EMS and fire side, and it has room to expand if the need arises and also be serving Midway in a hundred years,” Vandegrift said. He also confirmed, unlike the EMS officers, the firefighters will continue to be all volunteer. “But in emergency conditions, now that there is a place in the station for them to sleep, we can provide 24 hour fire service and pay them an hourly rate,” he said. “This recent winter storm really showed having this option available is a real resource for us and northern Woodford County.”

Winter storm

Vandegrift provided an overview of the cooperative approach the two city governments and the county took under the approved Emergency Management Plan in response to the storm that began on Jan. 4. “This was a doozy, and it really showed off the cooperative approach all of the government agencies took. The mayors and county judge set out the priorities and then the responsible agencies were identified and supported,” he explained. “We continued to stay informed and meet as a group including police, fire, emergency medical, emergency management, Red Cross, the schools and everyone who had a role.”

Vandegrift particularly applauded the work of Littrell Landscape & Lawn Service who has the snow removal contract with Midway. “Those guys worked night and day in horrid conditions and did a fantastic job,” he said. “I think our town’s roads were better dealt with than anywhere and we have Aaron Littrell, his crew and the city public works folks to thank.”

Versailles Police Chief Rob Young thanked the public for staying off the roads to let the road workers do their job of plowing and treating. “Everyone’s been great. We had help from the (Woodford County) Sheriff’s Office plus extra work from our officers to get through it,” Young said.

Committee assignments

Council confirmed the committee appointments made by Vandegrift for the new council. Councilmember Logan Nance will chair public works, member Mary Raglin will chair cemetery, and member Ian VanSteenbergh will serve on the Parks Board and act as the council’s liaison. 

Next meeting

Due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, city council will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 5:30 at City Hall.