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Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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Turn-out for Governor exceptionally strong Judge Melton recalls then-candidate Ernie Fletcher's promise to build bypass; Governor Fletcher remembers that incident and adds anecdote about Columbia's fabled traffic jams, the schoolhouse facing a field 18-Plus Photos accompany this story By Ed Waggener The turn-out for Governor Ernie Fletcher's visit was exceptionally strong, with some 75-80 seated in the audience, 8 seated in the speaker's area, and the crowd line around the wall, a total of a 150-plus count for the turnout for Gov. Ernie Fletcher appeared to pretty accurate. It was good theater. And pretty strong evidence that the political obituary of the incumbent Governor was quite pre-mature. If the governor is getting similar receptions in other areas to the one he received in Columbia on Friday, he may be making a Swarzenegger-like comeback. More than that, it was evidence that Adair Countians feel a debt of gratitude for the man whose administration has delivered more construction projects--measured on any scale adjusting for inflation--than any other. Judge Ann Melton, in her introductory remarks, recalled that four years ago, when the Governor was here campaigning, she remembers asking him about a Columbia bypass. "We were at Majestic Yachts," she said, "And he told us that, as governor, he would see that construction on the parkway would start in four years. And he's kept his word." A strong round of applause greeted the governor, later, when he announced that the contract for the $22.5 million, 5.3 mile Western Bypass would be awarded "next month" (March 2007). The Governor recalled the Majestic Yachts incident and added two stories of his own about the Columbia Bypass. "I came down here to Columbia at rush hour," he said. "I was still a congressman, and I wondered for a moment whether I was in the District of Columbia or Columbia, KY." He recalled, too, that he was here to visit the new Adair County Elementary School. "When I got out of the car," he said, "I asked one of my aides why they would build the school facing a field," and added, "they said, 'Why, Governor, that field is where the new bypass you're building will go.'" Ceremonial checks delivered The stated purpose of the trip was to deliver three ceremonial checks. The checks totaled $11.7 million dollars, for the following:
To locate areas on high detail Adair County map, Click HereBig ovation for cervical cancer vaccine initiative The Governor also drew applause, perhaps the biggest of the afternoon, when he spoke directly to Dr. Phil Aaron, Medical Director of Dr. Phil Aaron Medical Center, and told him he intended to see cervical cancer prevention vaccine available to every girl and female who, by their own decision wanted it. The applause was led off by Dr. Phil. Mayor Pat Bell introduces Secretary Nighbert Columbia Mayor Pat Bell was introduced by Judge Melton, who, in turn, introduced Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert for the introduction of Governor Fletcher. "You've been especially good to Adair County," he said, and singled out Fletcher administration leaders Highway Commissioner Marc Williams, Aviation Secretary Paul Steeley, Deputy Transportation Commissioner Steve Parker, Chief of Staff Stan Cave (Campbellsville, KY) and Curtis Hardwick, Columbia, the Mayor's predecessor. The mention of Hardwick's name drew loud applause. Secretary Nighbert says Fletcher's is record of kept promises "Governor Fletcher is the reason I stay in Frankfort," he said. "He may get a 'C' in politics, but he always rates an 'A' in policy," the cabinet secretary said. He referred to Judge Melton's memory of the promise to construct the Columbia Bypass, and said, "Governor Fletcher's record is one of Promises Made and Promises Kept." Nighbert added, "Of all the things Governor Fletcher is--he's a minister, a doctor, an engineer--the most important is that he is a grandfather, and a great family man." Nighbert told of Governor Fletcher's concern for others and, alluding to the late unpleasantness with Attorney General Stumbo but not naming it, he said that Governor Fletcher always reached out to others, even when he himself was the under fire. It was a busy afternoon for the Governor in South Central KY It was a busy afternoon for the Governor in South Central Kentucky, starting with the Columbia event, followed by a Kentucky Highlands Institute for Public Policy forum at Campbellsville University, and later in the afternoon, a public meeting with the people of Burkesville, KY to outline help the people of Cumberland County could expect from state government in face of the situation at Wolf Creek Dam. The threatened dam failure is of greatest concern to Burkesville, which is the first county seat, the first larger town downstream from the Wolf Creek impoundment. This story was posted on 2007-02-18 10:08:46
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Ann awards bridge tear-out to low bidder Governor Fletcher visits Columbia, February 16, 2007 Red Cross First Responder program training at Knifley Special events coming up at ACMS ADV. Ol' Joe's B & B Barbeque open today & Saturday Happy 60th Anniversary: Harold and Dorothy Mouser Adair Countian will be Governor's Wolf Creek Dam liason KY Parks Dept. seeks proposals for Green River Lake Resort Renaissance Columbia application for $100,000 grant advances Class of 1987 Reunion planning now in high gear View even more articles in topic News |
 
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