COLE TANNER was honored by the Woodford County Fiscal Court at its March
13 meeting for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in
Boy Scouts. Cole said, “I’m a part of Versailles Troop 43 which is in
its 90th year and I’m the troop’s 70th Eagle Scout. I’m grateful for the
opportunity to serve my community and learn to become a leader.” Cole’s
Eagle Scout project was building a walking trail and wooden foot bridge
at the Jack Jouett House. Cole is pictured receiving a proclamation
signed by Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay. (Photo by Scott White)
The Hifner Bridge which spans Clear Creek in southern Woodford County
has reopened after being shut down on Feb. 26 by the Woodford County
Road Department because of a tractor-trailer running into the metal
structure.
The length of the closure was declared unknown at that time due to the
extent of the damage, the need for a structural engineer assessment and
the potential delay of needed repairs, but it was reopened in only eight
days.
aA the March 13 Fiscal Court meeting, Woodford County Judge-Executive
James Kay attributed the quick reopening to the work of Road Department
Supervisor Bo Wilson “We looked at a contractor, spending a lot of time
and money, but Bo Wilson is a skilled welder and was able to go fix that
piece of the truss himself with his own skills and the help of the men
of the road department,” said Kay.“There are not many road supervisors
in the state who can do that, but we have one and he did that for us. We
were able to get the bridge open in a little more than a week’s time.”
Historical marker
Moe Bakke, on behalf of a group of citizens in the Nonesuch area,
requested the support of the court to apply to the state for a
historical marker at the location of a dry channel where the Kentucky
River had originally flowed 15 million years ago. Bakke presented a
report written by state geologist Willard Jillson in 1946 that
established this by using 13 different locations in the area, including
a tree still standing at the corner of Oregon and Patterson roads and
because the former Kentucky riverbed, named by Jillson as the “abandoned
Pliocene channel”, was located in a northeasterly direction of Nonesuch.
“We are asking the court to support an application for a sign that
recognizes a historical geological location,” Bakke said. “Plus it’s not
about a person, a battlefield or a place but an actual point of
geological history.” Bakke said that the cost of the sign “will be
funded by ourselves, the Nonesuch Fossil Museum and the Nonesuch Society
of Clear Thinking.”
The court approved the request.
Youth Softball League
The court approved an agreement between the county, City National Bank
and the Woodford Youth Softball League for a commercial leasehold
mortgage and an amendment to the lease agreement between the county and
the league for the use of the softball fields.
County Clerk report
Woodford County Clerk Sandy Jones updated the court on the preparations
for the upcoming primary election. Jones said the process is moving
along as expected and that she expects the county will be more than
prepared for the election. The court approved Jones’ request to use the
county credit card to pay for all postage related to absentee voting as
recommended by the state auditor in its last report.
“Postcards to voters will be going out soon – we are right on target,”
she said.
Kay pointed out this will be the first election cycle using the new
magisterial districts approved by the court.
Jones reminded the court of the key dates: mail-in ballots can be
requested on the portal from April 6 through May 7; dates of in-person
absentee voting will be May 8, 9, 10, 13, 14 and 15 (Jones reminded
voters that a valid excuse, as defined by the statute, is required to
vote absentee); early voting will be on Thursday, May 16 (6 a.m. – 2
p.m. ), Friday, May 17 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m. ) and Saturday, May 18 (9 a.m.
– 5 p.m. ); and, Election Day is May 21 from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will
be four voting centers: Falling Springs, Northside Elementary, Millville
Firehouse and Nonesuch Firehouse.
Board appointment
Corey Cooley was appointed to the Assessment Appeals Board on the
recommendation of Kay and Property Valuation Administrator John Paul Coyle.
Neighborhood grants
The court approved two neighborhood grants. Under the court’s new
procedures, each neighborhood was approved for an “up to” amount that is
then paid out upon documentary proof of the work’s completion. Merewood
subdivision was approved for up to $5,500 and The Village was approved
for up to $6,000.
Draft budgets
The court accepted the draft budgets for Fiscal Year 2025 from the
county coroner and the Department of Animal Control.
Safe Room
Emergency Management Director Drew Chandler requested approval from the
court to apply for a grant to install safe rooms in locations at certain
parks in the county. He explained that Midway and Versailles had already
approved them, but all three governing bodies needed to give approval to
move forward. The court approved the request.