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Columbia City Council Meeting, April 7, 2014 meeting Council hears rousing talks from Chief Jason Cross on drug problem and his vow that "It's got to stop, and it will stop; from Ellen Zornes and Holly Grimlsey on the Trail Town initiative; and from Barbara Armitage on the huge success of the Farmers Market on the Square Click on headline for story with photo(s) By Ed Waggener What promised to be a routine meeting of the Columbia City Council Monday, April 7, 2014, turned out to be one its most eventful ones, with rousing presentations by Chief Jason Cross, advocating for the police department and outlining his force's Operation Spring Cleanup aimed at taking out the drug traffickers in Columbia; from Ellen Zornes and Holly Grimsley, presenting the Trail Town USA program aimed at a more active community and increased tourism; and from Barbara Armstrong, seeking greater involvement in the Farmers Market on the Square (FM2) entering its second year with promise of an even greater success than it's $250,000 inaugural year provided. Mayor Mark D. Harris presided, with all six councillors, Craig Dean, Linda Waggener, Robert Flowers, Dr. Ron Rogers, Charles Grimsley, and June Parsons; City Attorney Marshall Loy, City Clerk Rhonda Loy; Police Chief Jason Cross, City Gas Superintendent Ron Cook; Barbara Armitage of Farmers Market on the Square; and Trail Town committee members Ellen Zornes, Holly Grimsley, Jelaine Harlow, and Brenda Mann; and members of the press present. Chief Cross outlines drug crackdown Chief Cross thanked the Council and the Mayor for their support of his department's roundup of person's charged with drug offenses begun in March and continuing. He told the council that the action came because the Council and Mayor are behind him. He thanked the individual councillors and told them that what is being done could not be done without the backing of the body and the Mayor, thanking June Parson, Charles Grimsley, Dr. Ronald Rogers, Craig Dean, Robert Flowers and Linda Waggener for the solid support they had given him. He said that he had been an officer for 15 years, and that the drug problem and it's affect on children's lives and safety had to be addressed. "It has to stop and it's going to stop," he said. Chief Cross defended the Department's budget and lashed out at critics of the cost of his department. While he did not quote direct comparisons, he said that he is available five days a week and will come in anytime and be happy to provide the figures. Chief Cross said that in the course of the raids, his department confiscated over $100,000 and that it would be coming back to his department to help its budget. He told the council that one of the biggest problems is the number of Adair County kids which have to be raised by grandparents because their parents are in jail or on drugs. He said that number might be as high as 20%. He told the Council that the department had been criticized and that some are advocating a smaller budget and fewer officers. After the chief's talk, Mayor Harris said that he has been criticized for looking out for the police department because he came up through its ranks. "I'm going to take care of them. They earn their pay." Councillor June Parson, the only announced candidate for mayor, told the meeting that she commends the police. Councillor Robert Flowers said that he'd challenge anyone to look at the schedule and more effectively utilize the 11 man force. Councillor Craig Dean said that while there is criticism of the police, it stops when they need one. "We're going to support you," he said. Trail Town USA project gets support Ellen Zornes and Holly Grimsley of the Trail Town core group organizers, received an enthusiastic reception. Zornes asked for, and received, official City of Columbia backing for the Trail Town Initiative. Jelaine Phillips and Brenda Mann, were in attendance, and they, along with Lee Ann Jessee and Councillor Linda Waggener, are key organizers of Trail Town program. Both presenters emphasized the health benefits, and also emphasized how tourist dollars add to revenue, shore up small businesses, and help reduce the tax burden on local citizens. Zornes said that, surprisingly, most of the infrastructure for meeting Trail Town requirements are in place in Columbia and that community investment would be minimal. Grimsley, who has been involved in similar programs in North Carolina, told the council that signage will be one of the big responsibilities, and that Trail Town USA organizers are working with the Kentucky Highway Department to develop signs which meet state standards. She said Trail Town is about preservation, that experience has shown that Trail Town tourists are drawn to towns like they remember or like they imagine as ideal. Ellen Zornes said that Trail Town dovetails with Main Street programs, although one is not necessary for the other. Zornes told the Council that Columbia may be a "Certified" Trail Town in as little as 6 months, probably no more than 12. At present, only two towns, Livingston in Rockcastle County, and Dawson Springs, Governor Beshear's hometown in Hopkins County, are "Certified." Zornes said that the City will need to have a Strategic Plan in addition to do a Comprehensive Plan. Councillors Charles Grimsley and June Parson volunteered to update the City's Comprehensive Plan and to write a Strategic Plan as well. Holly Grimsley noted that qualifying to be a certified Trail Town meant having five committees: 1) A TRAC, or Trail Route Advisory Committee; 2) A merchant Committee to get local merchants to tie into promotions; 3) A volunteer committee to maintain trails; 4) a Signage committee to mark the trails in accordance with established guidelines and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet guidelines; and 5) A Funding/Education/Public Relations committee. "Then, she said, "we're ready to start the application in earnest." Zornes told the Council that when Elaine Wilson gave a presentation at the Adair County Health Department to a group of organizers, she was impressed with the big turnout, 22, and that Wilson told them that Columbia was uniquely situated to take advantage of benefits of Trail Town tourism. Aims are to have neighboring lake area communities develop their own programs so that South Central Kentucky will become a destination for tourists. She noted that Columbia is not alone in the effort, that Campbellsville and Greensburg are helping to complete the "Triangle around Green River Lake" with their own Trail Town programs, and that the groups are hoping Russell County will begin a Trail Town program soon. Barbara Armitage gives report on Farmers Market on the Square Barbara Armitage, president of the Farmers Market on the Square. She said that told the Council that the program had a great kick off on Saturday, April 5, 2014, and with great promise, even though there was not so much in the way of produce. Old customers came, she said, and food vendor Jay Cox had a banner day, selling out of country ham and tenderloin sandwiches. She told the Council that the Farmers Market on the Square had signed up its 27th vendor, and noted that $250,000 went into the Adair County economy last year through the market, with many of the vendors being first time farmers and first time sellers of their crafts. She said that she envisions the market growing to encircle the Adair County Annex, and to fill the historic Adair County Courthouse with vendors as well. She said that the market will have a 30 week, every Saturday schedule this year, every Saturday from April 5 through October 26, 2014, with extended hours, from 8am-1pm each day. Routine matters on agenda The council approved the minutes for its March 13, 2014, special called meeting unanimously, and also had a first reading of an ordinance to adopt a supplement to the code of ordinances. No action was necessary on the first reading and none was taken This story was posted on 2014-04-08 18:26:47
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