Madison Judge-Executive Kent Clark is considering the possibility of providing a public transportation route between Richmond and Berea.
David Sowder, transportation director for Kentucky River Foothills, approached the Madison Fiscal Court on Tuesday with the idea.
“We’re going to probably try it out on a temporary basis and see if we can get people to participate,” Clark said. “If it works, then I think the court feels very comfortable in providing that kind of service for the people. I would think it would be a very valuable tool for people of Madison County to use.”
Magistrates agreed that it would be nice to be able to provide the service, but all voiced concerns with the cost.
A full-time bus route between Richmond and Berea would cost the court $57,525, Sowder said. The route would begin at 7 a.m. and run as late at 6 p.m.
Another possibility is having the transportation system available on a part-time basis.
When operating under part-time status, the bus would run from 7 to 9 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m., Sowder said. This would cost the county $33,342.
The court may meet for a special work session to discuss the matter, Clark said.
“Technically, someone could come to the courthouse and go anywhere in Richmond,” he said. “They could come back (to the courthouse) and catch the bus to go back to Berea. It just opens up a great possibility to connect the two cities.”
In other business:
• Max Smith of LifeNet presented the court with information about providing county employees with a LifeNet card.
The LifeNet card is a product that allows the consumer to store and transport critical personal emergency medical data and history.
It is a wallet-sized flash drive card about the size of a credit card, with a reversible USB connector.
The connection is designed to fit any computer or laptop USB port, even upside down. It automatically opens and displays necessary information on Windows-based operating systems and is stored in standard formats accessible on any type of computer.
“The card is safe, simple and it’s secure,” Smith said. “It allows an individual to take control and actually manage their own health records.”
Having the LifeNet card would do more than just protect those who carry them, Smith said.
“It provides peace of mind for the employees’ families because they know that if something we to happen to them on the job, they would have the information with them,” he said.
Each card costs $69.95 plus shipping and handling when purchased individually, but buying them in bulk is more cost efficient, Smith said.
“I kind of like the concept,” Clark said.
No decision was made at Tuesday’s meeting, but Clark said it would be something the court would discuss at a later date.
• Michael Coyle was appointed to the Southern Madison Water Board.
• Amy Ferguson was hired as a permit technician for the county’s planning and zoning office.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Bus route could link Richmond and Berea
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Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
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Voices of Berea business owners upset about upcoming construction on US 25 will be taken to the state level, according to city administrator Randy Stone.
Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
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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