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Gov. Beshear makes area appearances
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By TODD CURTIS and WENDY MITCHELL, Staff Writers
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Gov. Steve Beshear completed his return trip to the area on Monday with stops in Brooksville, Maysville and his second appearance in Flemingsburg in as many days.
In Bracken County, Beshear paused to greet a pair of women seated in a car near where his motorcade had parked before entering the Bracken County Courthouse and the crowd which awaited him there.
Even Ethen Jefferson, the 3-year-old grandson of Bracken County Judge-Executive Gary Riggs, spoke with Beshear as he worked his way through the crowd. The child gave Beshear a couple of "high fives" before playfully stepping at the toes of the governor's shoes.
Riggs greeted the crowd and introduced State Rep. Mike Denham.
"Health Department infrastructure is set up to do wonderful things in the future," Denham said before introducing Beshear.
Beshear, with a $500,000 check in hand referred to health departments across the commonwealth as "the boots on the ground" for helping rural residents.
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| Dawn Browning shows Gov. Beshear the miniatures exhibit at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center Monday during his visit. -- Terry Prather/Staff |
"Since it was built in 1960, only minor modifications and charges have been to the Bracken County Health Department," Beshear said.
The $500,000 from a Community Development Block Grant will help create a 3,664-square-foot expansion of the present health department building and enhance the current programs the agency provides, he said.
Following the presentation, Beshear posed for photographs with residents then traveled to Maysville.
Beshear appeared at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center to announce and present a grant in the amount of $85,000 to Museum Director Dawn Browning for the restoration of the Wormald Building, the original home of the Kentucky Gateway Museum which houses transportation artifacts and a historical account of the area's transportation system.
According to Executive Director of the Transportation Cabinet Chuck Wolfe, the Transportation Enhancement Grant is "commonly used for historic preservation." The program offers federal funding for unique and creative approaches that integrate transportation into a community in an environmentally friendly way.
"This represents an investment that will preserve history and enhance tourism in beautiful Mason County," Beshear said. "My administration is honored to support this community in its effort to provide an education environment for its citizens, while preserving a very important piece of its heritage. We are proud to partner with you on a project that will have lasting effects on your community and the entire state."
Public Protection Secretary Bob Vance, who also serves on the KGMC board said, "People and companies invest in a community that invests in itself. The citizens and government agencies of Mason County and Maysville make investments in the future through projects like the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, the Washington Opera House, and this museum. They understand the importance of these public projects and the positive impact they have on citizens. I congratulate the city of Maysville and the Mason County Fiscal Court, along with the dedicated board and staff of the KGMC, on their successful community-building efforts."
Browning was thankful of the show of support.
"Thank you for having faith in us. Thank you to the entire community for having faith in us."
After his stop in Maysville, Beshear made his way to Flemingsburg for a ribbon cutting ceremony on the recently completed 25-mile, $58 million rebuilding project on Kentucky 11 in Fleming and Bath counties.
According to a press release, what was once an 18-foot-wide road in the 1930s is now a wider, more traffic-friendly highway with 12-foot lanes and full paved shoulders. The improvement entailed seven separate projects in KYTC's Department of Highways District 9. Work began more than 15 years ago as dozers broke ground between Sherburn and Sharpsburg. Earlier this month, crews layered blacktop on the last section, from Fleming Creek to Kentucky 32 in Flemingsburg.
"It is important that we have good highways that connect not only our communities with each other, but important economic centers as we look to improve Kentucky's economic future," Beshear said. "But perhaps the most important benefit of this new road is safety."
Denham and State Sen. Walter Blevins, who represent Fleming County in the Kentucky Legislature, called the projects completion here a mark of progress.
"Years of hard work by many hands preceded this day, which is a day of celebration for those who use the road and for the economic future of our communities." Denham said.
"Day-to-day life is very dependent upon transportation," said Blevins. "Projects such as this show how Kentucky is dedicated to providing that vital need."
Local officials were just as excited and happy for the road work to have been completed.
"It's an asset, as far as people working in Flemingsburg or out of town." said Flemingsburg Mayor Louie Flannery. "For so long, it was difficult to travel to our city or for us to reach I-64. Now it's easier, safer and has opened up doors of commerce and tourism.
Fleming County Judge-Executive Larry Foxworthy called it a "boon" for future opportunity. "We're really glad to see it finished because it really does open up a corridor to help us develop -- and others access -- our community." Foxworthy said.
Beshear indicated he was happy with the progress being made but admitted more progress needed to and would be made.
"Progress is being made across the commonwealth. We are coming closer to opening up all these communities to economic development."
Contact Todd Curtis at todd.curtis@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 276. |
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Reader Comments
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.
wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:39 PM: " Just what do these little, quickie visits do anyway? He does not really care about any of us here. Just pretense. "
Howdy wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:03 PM: " What a waste of money!!!, $85,000 for the Museum. With the budget cut for our schools, the state shouldn't be wasting money on this Museum. Take care of our students FIRST!!! "
Lewis wrote on Jul 29, 2008 8:21 AM: " I guess Lewis Co. being the only county that did not vote for him scared him off of coming to see us. He is starting his 2011 campaign early and probably wisely so. "
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