By Abigail Roberts
A proclamation was read during the Lincoln County Fiscal Court meeting Tuesday recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week from April 13-19.
Lincoln County Judge Executive Woods Adams read the proclamation which recognizes the importance of public safety telecommunicators.
“…public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services and whereas public safety telecommunicators are the single, vital link for our police officers, firefighters and paramedics by monitoring their activity by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety,” the proclamation reads.
Adams signed the proclamation In honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep the county and citizens safe.
Adams said Bluegrass 911 Center, which is a regional center located in Garrard County, plays a vital role in keeping the community safe.
Magistrate David Faulkner said in the last 20 years there have been major improvements in public safety.
“We have gone from that to what is probably one of the best in the state,” Faulkner said. “It turned out to be a wonderful partnership for our counties.”
Lincoln County Attorney Daryl Day said the regional center is one of the best in the state.
“It is a model for the state on inter-county cooperation and how we can have better service with lower cost by smaller counties going together and doing this. Russ Clark (director) has been a big part of that, a lot of people have,” Day said.
In other news, Fiscal Court magistrates:
- changed the signatory on bank documents from Magistrate David Faulkner to Magistrate Bobby King
- tabled the setting of the coroner’s salary to next fiscal court meeting
- approved a $1,750 match for the Farmer’s Market senior voucher grant program
- approved Eddie Sowers bid for emergency paving of Blue Lick Road for $25,927
- approved bid for paving of Patrick Road from J&S Asphalt for $33,631.
- Heard comments from magistrates: Bobby King said he is proud of the county departments and wished everyone good luck in the upcoming election; Dan Gutenson thanked everyone in local government and local volunteers for the work they do for the county; David Faulkner also thanked all the department heads and said the county has a great administrator and great workers; Joe Stanley reiterated many of previous statements and added that morale among county workers is good.
- Heard an update from Joe Stanley about the new McKinney Water Tower project. “They’ve got the footer dug out, the plumbing is there…pouring concrete is the next thing. I’d say it’ll be done in just a few months. It’s going to be a great thing for the people there. They’re going to give McKinney people a choice of where to buy their water and the customer will be the winner with plenty of clean water,” Stanley said.
- Heard from Road Department Foreman Jeremy Vanhook who is looking for various pieces of equipment. Vanhook said mowers are out and working well.
- Heard an update from Lincoln County Attorney Daryl Day about a lawsuit filed over a proposed subdivision on Airport Road. “We got it dismissed, they asked for that order to be rescinded. A judge is going to enter an order, my understanding, denying their motion that would force them to appeal. They also appealed the decision of Planning and Zoning to the Board of Adjustments and they feel if the Board of Adjustments denied it they have a right to file a second lawsuit. We were in court last Friday on that and the judge has given every party until next Friday, April 24 to submit any information they want the judge to consider and then she is going to possibly dismiss that also. It may very well go to the Court of Appeals, I don’t know if they want to spend that kind of money given what her orders have read.”
- Heard an update from Lincoln County Clerk Nancy Jackson. Jackson said she spoke with Stanford Police Chief Zach Middleton about hiring School Resource Officers to help with election security. She said it shouldn’t cost over $2,500 in overtime. Poll worker training is April 24. The Lincoln County Clerk’s Office will be closed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Early voting begins May 6 for excused voting. Early voting for everyone begins May 14.
- Heard and update from Jane Vanhook of the Lincoln County Historical Society. Vanhook said Sportman’s Hill at the William Whitley House has been mowed and a wildflower walk was held last Saturday at Logan-Hubble Park. The annual Main Street Clean Sweep will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day week. You can sign up in front of the Chamber Office in Stanford. You will be given trash grabbers and a t-shirt. The William Whitley House gift shop and tours will open April 23 Thursday – Saturday. Vanhook said she has been working on grants for the Recycling Center and encouraged magistrates to visit and see the upgrades.
- Heard from Lincoln County Chamber Director Jenny Maloney and Chairman Colleen Benson. Benson said the annual chamber banquet has been moved from spring to fall. The event will be held Sept. 15.
- Heard from Sheriff Shawn Hines. Hines said on April 15 he will turn over delinquent tax bills to the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office. “We were set to collect $13.2 million. We are at $12.9 million so we will roughly be turning over $300,000 or so to the Clerk’s Office. That’s at 98 percent…,” Hines said. He said being able to pay online and use a card to pay has helped taxpayers and has improved tax collection tremendously. Hines said he has hired Tony Wesley as a full-time deputy. Wesley has worked previously part-time. Dustin Phillips has completed his academy training. The Sheriff’s Office has purchased a drone with drug seizure money. The drone will help with locating missing persons or escapees. They have also ordered a speed radar trailer.
- heard from LC Public Library Director Jamie Helle about applying for the Early Childhood grant through the Governor’s office. She is working on putting together a voting council. The group will meet on April 20 at 10 a.m. at the library to get things started and will help guide how funds are used to support young children and families in Lincoln County.
- Heard from Crab Orchard Commissioner Jerry Shelton. Shelton said the county Ambulance Board will meet April 20 for annual disbursements to emergency services.
