Columbia Main Street Program elects 7-person board of directors

The Downtown Columbia revitalization group elected a seven-person working board of directors at its last meeting. The working board includes Charles Grimsley, Judy Phipps, Trilby Tupman, Amy Waggener, Linda Fitzpatrick, and Linda Waggener.

Action groups were established in the four areas recommended by the Kentucky Main Street program which Columbia is making application to for future guidance and funding sources for renovation:

-Economic restructuring, which will make efforts to work with the county industrial authority to recruit new businesses to downtown, includes Amy Waggener, chair, and members Jean McLean, Bea Beard, Lloyd French, Rita Coomer, Sheila Taylor, and Trilby Tupman.

-Organization, which will work as consensus builders and negotiators, Judy Phipps, chair, and members Brian Walker, Ann Warren, and Mitzi Bault.

-Promotion, which will serve as media and events coordinators, Linda Waggener, chair, and members Guy Adams, Bob Tobias, Jon Coomer, and Elaine Bennett.

-Design, which will be concerned with signs, building fronts, landscape, and displays, Charles Grimsley, chair, and members Vonnie Kolbenschlag, Sally Markle, Beverly England, Mike Loy, Donna Vaughn, and Mackie J. Pennington. Judy Somerville has also volunteered to serve on this committee.

Trilby Tupman was elected the group's secretary. Linda Fitzpatrick is the treasurer.

A permanent chair will be sought at the next meeting Tuesday, March 26, at 5:00 p.m. in the basement of the Adair County Courthouse Annex. Linda Waggener has served as acting chair for the group's first three meetings and D'Zine, Ltd., Business Communications sponsored the materials and postage. Sponsors will be needed for future mailings.

All persons interested in revitalization and improving downtown are invited to attend and participate.