Maysville, KY -

Contact Us | Subscriber Services

Search Archives

	Advanced Search

Local News

Ceremony officially opens Kentucky 19

By WENDY MITCHELL Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 10:22 PM EST

Print this story | Email this story

AUGUSTA -- U.S. and Kentucky flags snapped at attention in the stiff breeze atop a knoll overlooking the newest addition to the Kentucky highway system, Wednesday.

Though it has been traveled for months while construction finished, it took a ribbon cutting ceremony for Kentucky 19, between Kentucky 9 and Augusta, to be officially declared open.

"This road will have a positive impact on economic opportunity in this area," said Rep. Mike Denham."We call Bracken County and the potential for growth here the best kept secret in Kentucky."

Citing the new ease of access between Kentucky 9 and the Clopay Company in Augusta, Bracken County Judge-Executive Leslie Newman applauded the road as a way to attract more companies of the calibre of Clopay.

"That is why when Pie Jett was judge-executive and got this project started it was so important for us to carry on what Pie started to what we see here today," said Newman.

"I sure do appreciate seeing this road today," said Jett. "Don't tell me a Democrat, which I am, and a Republican, which Mr. Nighbert is, cannot get along to get something done; because a Democrat will do almost anything for money."

With the $14.4 million project behind them Denham applauded the effort of Kentucky Transportation Acting Secretary Bill Nighbert to see that the project was completed. Denham also took the opportunity to ask him about a new project.

"We now know that the double A highway has 53 percent truck traffic that travel an average of 76 miles per hour. Maybe we could get a four lane," asked Denham.

Nighbert thanked his speech writers for their work .

"They always write me one...and some day I may give it," joked Nighbert.

Drawing on a simple childhood Nighbert credited years past for his accomplishments.

"I can recognize Bracken County by the people they send to Frankfort; you can be proud of them," he said.

Encouraging nonpartisan politics, Nighbert, looked at the summer of 2005 like the tornado in the Wizard Of Oz.

"Sometimes I wanted to click my heels and say there's no place like home." said Nighbert.

As a cow mooed in the background Nighbert said he saw the new Kentucky 19 as a gateway to progress for both Brooksville and Augusta and joked about Denham's request.

"It only took Mike (Denham) ten minutes to ask me for something else," joked Nighbert.

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony the audience of mostly dignitaries and local political figures were invited to a reception at the Beehive Tavern in Augusta.

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 370.

For more area news, go to www.bracken-online.com

Reader Comments

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

Add your own comments:

Copyright © 2008 Maysville Newspapers, Inc., A Lee Enterprises Publication

This site is protected by applicable copyright laws and no part may be reproduced, transmitted or used in any way other than its intended purpose without the prior written permission of The Ledger Independent.
Click here to view The Ledger Independent's privacy policy.

	Photo Galleries

	Local Links

	Calendar

	Yellow Pages

	Showcase of Homes

	Kentucky Crosswords

	Movie Listings

	Kentucky Lottery

	Ohio Lottery

Services
	Subscribe

	About Us

	Place a Classified Ad

Submit a:
	Birth Announcement

	Engagement Announcement

	Wedding Announcement

Community News
	Adams County

	Bracken County

	Fleming County

	Georgetown, Ohio

	Lewis County

	Ripley, Ohio