Boyd fiscal meeting reveals upcoming Washington DC visitor

May 15—CATLETTSBURG — Boyd County fiscal court was on a smooth operating schedule for its first regular meeting of the month on Tuesday, which included an announcement that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell would swing by Boyd County for an update from Washington on May 28.

Scott Martin, the face of the new Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, announced McConnell's visit will be part of a Lunch and Learn event with UK King's Daughters.

"We will have U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in town for lunch and for information," Martin said, adding the chamber hopes to bring back regular legislative updates.

In addition to McConnell's visit to the area, Community Development Director Kacy Abrams teased several upcoming events spanning the summer months, including the repeat Touch a Truck Event at the Boyd County Convention and Arts Center on June 7.

Similar to last year's layout, the name of the Touch a Truck extravaganza is self explanatory, as the event gives youngsters the chance to get a hands-on interactions with large vehicles.

Abrams said this year's event will have a sensory hour for those sensitive to loud sounds and lights from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The honking, lights and sirens will kick off from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Abrams said the county would also have a ribbon cutting at Armco Park's revamped shelter house No. 3 on May 29 at 1:30 p.m.

Other highlights from Tuesday's talk include:

* Mindy Hanshaw, coordinator of Westwood Boys and Girls Club, had several updates and thanks for the court, specifically for their previous help in roof repairs and kitchen updates.

In October, Commissioner David Salisbury said 84 Lumber donated $10,000 in materials for the roof replacement and Hanshaw added County Administrator Justin Pruitt helped secure fire hydrant updates to get the center up to code, which Hanshaw said helped tremendously.

Hanshaw said since the much needed updates to the club's interiors, specifically in the kitchen, the club was able to finalize a partnership with Facing Hunger Food Bank to distribute food every second and fourth Thursday of the month to families and seniors over 60.

The club, which currently provides a free boxing program for roughly 40 children, is hoping with the fiscal court's assistance, to implement more programs for kids, like basketball.

Hanshaw added the club isn't just for boxing, as the gym provides youth with encouragement to carry throughout their lives in various activities.

"Sometimes they just need a place to belong," Hanshaw said.

Tom Hanshaw, also in attendance on behalf of the club, said some children attending the club for various activities have unsteady home lives, but with a completely volunteer staff, adults are all around to fill in any gaps.

"They come in and get a mom, a dad, a grandpa. They look forward to it," he said.

Mindy Hanshaw said it's the facility's overall dream to cover the club's existing basketball court for an indoor area to play under Alexis Robinson, a former collegiate and professional basketball player who has offered to head a youth basketball program for free.

"It gives them hope. They can just come and play and don't have to worry about making a team," Hanshaw added, again thanking the court for their efforts thus far.

* The court passed the first reading for a new animal control ordinance, but noted there weren't many major changes.

According to County Attorney Curtis Dotson, the initial ordinance was enacted about 30 years ago and had undergone some modifications over the years.

"So what I've done is I've gone through those two and repealed those to make one new one for more clarification so we don't have to keep flipping back and forth," Dotson said.

Judge-Executive Eric Chaney said it made sense to consolidate ordinances and "clean them up," before inquiring if any major changes had been added to the ordinance.

According to Dotson, the only change included adjustments to fine costs to reflect state law.

(606) 326-2652 — mjepling@dailyindependent.com