Archive for December, 2010

A couple of developments in Lancaster and Garrard County:

1. Brenda Powers has appointed Allen Weston as her new chief of police. Apparently Ronnie Lamb will remain on payroll long enough to earn his full retirement. I’m still trying to get in contact with people for a more complete story. I’ll post more on here, there will be a story in tomorrow’s Advocate-Messenger.

2. Karla Sefcak is stepping down from her leadership positions on the solid waste committee and Party on the Square. More to come on this as well.

A recent bit of news concerning Garrard County Clerk Stacy May:

Garrard County Clerk Stacy H. May has received a $3,746 grant from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) to preserve and manage local government records. KDLA is an agency of the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

“The grant funds will be used to purchase a plat cabinet,” said May. “We are almost completely out of space in the plat cabinet that we have. It will benefit our citizens that we won?t have to use county funds to purchase the new cabinet.”

…

Thirty-eight grants have been awarded for a total of $636,278 from fiscal year 2011 Local Records Grant Program funds. During the program’s 26-year history, a total of more than $17 million has been distributed across Kentucky and included grants to all 120 counties.

UPDATE: Boil water advisory has now been canceled. You can go back to enjoying your water.

People in the Whispering Hills subdivision have been issued a boil water advisory due to a broken water main. The advisory is in effect until further notice. If you live in Whispering Hills, you should boil your water for at least three minutes before drinking it or using it to cook.

Recently posted on Facebook from the Friends of Paint Lick:

Friends, with the low temps and a warned new front to come, we at the building are in need of winter things, we are very low on sweaters, sweatshirts, and coats,all sizes,all ages; hats, gloves and scarves; blankets and comforters. Lots of need this years. Thank you for your help and support for all of our community.

Here are some bonus photos I took for my story about recent changes at the Garrard County Animal Shelter. Click on a photo to blow it up bigger.

Commuters on crowded Nicholasville road: you will have a little less crowding soon, but you’ll have to wait until the end of this work week. Friday is when part of the new U.S. 27 opens for use. The open segment will stretch from just south of Sutton Lane to just north of Ky. 152. I uploaded a map from the Kentucky Department of Transportation showing the new road. There’s also a story the Advocate ran available here.

Don Rinthen passed out a letter to the citizens of Lancaster tonight at what will probably be his last city council meeting as mayor. Here’s the letter in its entirety:

I would like to take this time to thank all the citizens and employees of the City of Lancaster for the last 4 years. This time of life has been very enjoyable and fruitful in knowing that the city is moving forward and improving. The time I have spent as your mayor has shown me that when you get people together and on the same page great things can happen.

I would like to address the citizens of the City of Lancaster regarding the current financial position of our city. The current economy of the nation has dramatically affected all cities and states. We are reminded of this downturn each and every day by the news agencies. This downturn in the economy is also affecting the City of Lancaster.

The City of Lancaster’s monies are made up of four funds: general, water, sewer and municipal aid. These funds are not interchangeable and can only be used for the purpose that the law sets forth for each fund.

The general funds cover the cost of our police and firefighters along with the general operating cost of the city on a day-by-day basis. This fund is currently below budget due to revenues not being received as anticipated. The insurance fund is running 11% behind due to the downturn of the real estate market. The empty houses located in the city affects this fund. The general fund has 5 CDs they total $272,037.27.

The water fund is currently at budget due to increased sales of water to Crab Orchard and Garrard water. The water fund has no CDs.

The sewer fund is below budget due to a decrease in local water sales. This decrease is due to a greater number of houses being vacated within the city limits. The sewer fund has no CDs.

Lastly, the municipal aid fund is used for roads and city street maintenance. This fund is currently at budget. This fund has one CD it totals $118,822.51.

As the mayor I recommend that you closely monitor the balances of these funds. And make a determination as to what, if any, reductions are necessary in order for the city to remain in a financially viable condition. The remaining CDs are set aside for bonds for sewer and water they total $325,247.20. The total of all CDs is $716,106.98.

Mayor Don Rinthen
December 6, 2010

John Wilson appointed Mark Metcalf as county attorney today at noon. Mark won election this year over incumbent Jeff Moss, who stepped down earlier to begin work as a teacher. Assistant County Attorney Chris Whitworth, who was appointed in Jeff’s place, has returned to being assistant county attorney.

I also learned that Mark’s National Guard unit is being activated and mobilized in June. They’re heading to Baghdad, but Mark will still run his office and communicate with his staff on a daily basis, thanks to mobile communications provided by the National Guard. Full story in tomorrow’s Advocate.

Karla Sefcak has uploaded some photos she took, including the one above, of construction workers building the new judicial center while it snowed Wednesday morning. Check out the full album here.