Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Fiscal Court held its first regular meeting of the new year on Monday  night. All members - Stevie Givens, Johnny Tuck, Chad Tyree, David Whittinghill, and Bobby Moore - were present along, with several visitors.

Butler County's new State Representative, Jim DeCesare, was on hand to give a short legislative update to the Court. According to DeCesare, the proposed Right-To-Work legislation that passed in the KY State Senate last week probably won't make it out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote. DeCesare said the legislation has died in committee the last two times it has been proposed, and is strongly opposed by the majority Democrat party. Representative DeCesare said that makes efforts by individual counties to pass Right-To-Work ordinances even more important.

DeCesare said that the AFL-CIO has strongly opposed Right-To-Work ordinances and has gone as far as bussing in protestors and threatening legal action against counties. He assured magistrates that any legal defense needed to pass such an ordinance would be covered by K.A.C.O. (Kentucky Association of Counties) or by non-profit groups such as Protect My Check or My Check-My Choice. He also told the Court that should expenses mount for the county they could always repeal any ordinance passed dealing with Right-To-Work legislation.

Next, Judge-Executive David Fields told the Court that Dr. Richard T.C. Wan will be appointed as Butler County's Economic Development Ambassador. He said that Dr. Wan wanted to give something back to the county and was interested in trying to recruit small, tech-based businesses to the county. His ties to China and contacts in Asia could help achieve that goal. Fields said the appointment would be made in conjunction with the Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce and a formal appointment would be on January 29th at the Butler County Extension Office. A motion to appoint Dr. Wan passed by a 5-0 vote.

Roger Givens, Chairman of the County Historical Marker Committee, asked the Court for $1,250.00 for a marker commemorating Maurice Thatcher. Thatcher was a Morgantown native and the first governor of the Panama Canal Zone. He is also credited with introducing legislation in the Kentucky General Assembly creating Mammoth Cave Natural Park and other historic sites. Givens said the City of Morgantown had pledged $1,250.00 for half the expense of the marker. A motion to approve the payment passed 5-0.

First District Magistrate Stevie Givens reported to the Court that a new Senior Citizen Center for the county has been given final approval by the state, and a ground-breaking with Governor Steve Beshear would be scheduled in the spring. He thanked Judge David Fields, Housing Authority Director Anita Jenkins, and Morgantown City Councilperson Sharon Johnson for helping with the project.

Givens also told the Court that the Morgantown Fire Department would like to keep control of the entire firehouse building. He said the cost of converting part of the building for use by the Rescue Squad was high and that jail work crews would be unable to help with the project. No action was taken on the matter.

In a final item of business, Givens congratulated Judge David Fields on his appointment to the KACO Board of Directors. Fields will join Givens on the KACO board.

In other business the Court approved the annual $10,000 allotments to each county fire department, and the annual $25,000 allotment to Butler County Soil Conservation District. An amendment to the Butler County budget was also approved. Jailer Terry Fugate presented and received approval for his policy and procedures manual. He reported the manual is the same as it was when amended last February. Approval was all given to pay a KACO rebate to the Rochester VFD in the amount of $529.66.

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Story by Joe K. Morris, Beech Tree News.