BEREA — The idea of a four-day work week is appealing to Madison Judge-Executive Kent Clark, who spoke in favor of it Tuesday at a meeting of the Madison Fiscal Court.
“We’ll start looking into it when we see what the state’s going to do,” Clark said.
The state could be closer to enforcing a four-day work week after an announcement Tuesday from Gov. Steve Beshear that was reported by the Associated Press.
Beshear is hoping to drive down the cost of commuting for Kentucky state employees by encouraging them to carpool and work four-day weeks when possible.
Beshear says he is trying to help state employees cope with gas prices that have risen above $4 per gallon. He says allowing them to work four longer days rather than five eight-hour days should reduce their commuting costs by 20 percent.
Kentucky state employees also will have a new Web site they can use to hook up with other workers to carpool.
Beshear has yet to mandate a four-day work week for state employees.
A four-day work week would obviously not work for some departments, such as emergency first responders, but would save the county a tremendous amount of money overall, Clark said.
“With fuel prices as high as they are, if you can provide the services cost efficiently and run government, then it’s something you have to do,” he said. “It’s very cost efficient and it’s more productive. You can get more work out of an individual in 10 hours because he’s there longer and gets more done, and they’re looking forward to that three-day weekend.”
The Blue Grass Army Depot and several local factories are now enforcing four-day weeks, and are reaping the benefits, Clark said.
“We’ll wait and see what the governor decides to do, and then we’ll really look into the possibility,” he said.
In other business:
• The court approved The Madison County Sheriff’s Office tax collection record Tuesday, which includes the funds collected for several different sources, including: Madison County ($3,259,170.04); Madison County School District ($18,751,749.55); Berea School District ($1,338,321.03); Madison County Health Department ($1,884,181.03); Madison County Extension Office ($642,733.72); county ambulance services ($1,995,068.79); county libraries ($1,765,431.12); watershed ($31,567.72); and fire protection ($63.79).
These figures are from Dec. 1, 2007, through May 9, 2008, and are pending a state audit.
• Tom Mooreland, Madison County GIS director, gave a demonstration of new pictometrey computer software equipment that he said would be an advantage to several county departments.
The pictometrey system can retrieve any listed address and show all sides of the structure and several different viewpoints.
Emergency management, police and fire departments and local drug task forces would especially benefit from the system, he said.
“It would keep (emergency first responders) from having to back track and slow down to look at mailboxes,” Mooreland said.
He is now training 70 people within county departments who are interested in using the system.
“We’re not sure of the cost, but it’s well worth the money,” Clark said.
Clark will meet with system providers and discuss a total cost for countywide use of the system.
• The Battlefield Golf Club began five years ago with a $225,000 deficit, which has now been whittled down to $60,311.
That is a $22,122 reduction compared to last year, said Clay Hamrick, golf pro for the Battlefield Golf Club, which now has more than 200 members.
“The average member continues to spend $1,000 per year,” Hamrick said. “That includes membership fee, golf cart rental, food and merchandise.”
The county allotted $498,000 for the golf club in the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
“We were able to save funds that were necessary, and returned $14,100 to the (county’s) general fund,” Hamrick said. “The return of that surplus gives us the opportunity to prove to the court that we are managing the funds well and that’s we’re not taking for granted the money we get from the county.”
• Chuck Eckler, Dwight Barkley and Madison County Magistrate Bill Tudor were appointed to the Madison County Golf Committee.
Local News
Four-day week may be best
County Judge, governor agree
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Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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EKU closes dining room at Arlington Clubhouse
A Richmond country club is no longer offering dining to members, but remains available for catered events and will be open on certain holidays.
Arlington Country Club, which has been a staple of Eastern Kentucky University for the past 40 years, laid off all dining staff late last week, according to Tom Coffey of the EKU Foundation.
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Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
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Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
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Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
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Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. - More Local News Headlines
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