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Judge Ann Melton gives State of County address Judge Melton says county finances are in best shape ever, crediting road department reorganization. Advances include state of the art 911 Center, a new Judicial Center which will be come a realilty this year, new procurement methods which brought down cost of fuel, help lower gas prices in Adair County; plans for economic development, job creation at Holladay place. Plans for a economic development in 2009, need to control costs in 2009, in light of economic conditions. CJE sends itemized list of county road improvements, road equipment purchases By Ed Waggener County Judge Ann Melton told the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce that she credited her reorganization of the Adair County Road Department as the big reason why the county's finances are $402,027.52 better off than it was when she took over two years ago. The remarks came in her 2009 State of the County address to the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce meeting January 20, 2009, at Lindsey Wilson College's Cranmer Dining Center. In 2006, she said, there was $562,318.45 in the four major county funds on December 31. In 2007, that figure had grown to $832,821.63, and this year, the county had $965,027.52. "I credit that first to our road department and the fact that we now do all our work ourselves." She acknowledged that there has been criticism of the reorganization, but said that had been instigated largely by a three or four private contractors who had been getting much of the county's business. She said she had also taken a political hit by her decision to change where the county buys petroleum products. "Being the daughter of parents who have been in business here for 50 years, it has been drilled into me to spend my dollars locally as much as possibly." But, she said, when she could not even get to talk with a Newcomb Oil manager to discuss the disparity in gas prices being paid in Columbia, she made arrangements to buy from a different company. "I firmly believe that our prices have been lowered in the county because we made a decision to change companies. That's for the county, she said, but added, "By the way, I buy every gallon of gas for my personal use from New Oil and have for 34 years," she said, "but that's my money. Tax money is a different situation and when I'm spending the public money, I have to save every penny possible." The 911 Center "Last year we talked aobut our 911 center and the need to locate them in a better environment. We all know that's completed now and I believe we have a center that is second to none."The Center was built by the Adair County Fiscal Court with major grants from the administration of Governor Ernie Fletcher. The operation of the center is paid for all entities using it except for the City of Columbia. The Judicial Center "We talked about the Judicial Center last year, and that's coming along great," she said. "It is going to be a great asset to our downtown area." She said she knew there was a lot of concern over the amount of money the State has spent on these centers, but some county was going to get the money we got, and I am sure glad we got our share." The Old Courthouse "I'm sure it is no secret that I have had meetings with President Bill Luckey concerning the Old Courthouse," she said. She told the Chamber members that a final answer should come on the whether Lindsey WIlson will be able to utilize the facility. "If they can't," she said, "we need to start public meetings in the spring and at that time," she said, "we will e open for any ideas as to the best use of that building." Judge reviews Economic Development progress "We talked about Economic Development last year, and I vowed to work hard, along with Mayor Bell, to do everything possible to creat jobs for our citizens."She reviewed the visit of Secretary for Economic Development James Hindman, who came to Adair County for a visit. "We had a great two days as we visited many of our local businesses and ended with a beautiful cruise on Green River Lake." But, she noted, "Just after we had had the successful visit by Secretary Hindman, he resigned." She said that a visit to Frankfort which included Beshear administration contact Richard Lee Walker, Mayor Pat Bell, Sue Stivers, and the CJE was an effort to cement relationshipships with the new interim Secretary. "We left there feeling as though we had a positive meeting," she said, "and we all felt that Secretary Hayes would be a friend who would be willing to help us." However, she said that the realities of the economy doesn't make for a rosy outlook. "We all know with times as they are, it is going to be very difficult right now for anyone. I know there have been a few new industries which have located in our surrounding counties, but we have been told that these are ones that had been in the works for several years." On a brighter note, she said, "we have had lots of help with all the new jobs at the new Wal-Mart and we don't have to worry about Wal-Mart closing and moving their retail stores out of the country." Cites other new Holladay Place development "We also have a new Newcomb Oil store and the Duo-County building is making great progress. We are getting a newe Goodwill Store that will, I believe, create approximately 25 jobs." She noted that there have been a surprising number of small businesses open in Adair County in the last year. "That's what we have to bank on now," she said. "Helping those businesses we have and helping to create new opportunities for small businesses is our goal," she said. "Still," she said, "we have many in our community who struggle to pay for food, housing, and just the necessities that life requires." She said that she is dedicated to do all she can, along with the Mayor and the Director of Economic Development, to improve this situation in our county. She closed by saying, "Again, thanks for the opportunity to speak today and thanks very much to those who support me in my effort to make Columbia-Adair County a good place to call home." She did not enumerate them at the meeting, but she told the audience that she had a list of road improvements, bridges, and special projects that County government had carried out: ROAD IMPROVEMENTS for 2008 District One
BRIDGES
SHOULDERING ROADS Shoulders were added on the following roads:
GRAVEL HAULED
EQUIPMENT PURCHASED
This story was posted on 2009-01-21 19:21:00
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