Frozen Rails races and other events on New Year's Day

The Frozen Rails 5K and 10K will be held Wednesday, Jan. 1 in Midway. The $30 registration fee for events is discounted $3 until midnight Sunday, Dec. 29 with a coupon code, RUN2020. The regular fee is $30 for the 5K or 10 K; $25 for the one-mile fun run/walk (which includes a T-shirt) and $15 for the Little Rails 1K Kids Run (Each participating child will receive a medal.) Volunteers and contributors to help with the event can also sign up on the race's signup page or at race-day headquarters, Midway Christian Church, Wednesday from noon to 1:45 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Midway Ministerial Association, which provides support to local residents in need. The event will also accept donations of canned foot and other non-perishable goods for distribution through the local food pantry.

The 10K run will begin at 2 p.m. at the corner of Winter and Main streets, go out Spring Station Road and return to the starting point. The 5K run and the fun run/walk will start at 2:10 p.m. and follow part of the same route. The Little Rails 1K Kids Run will begin at 1:40 p.m. and go down and back up Turner Street.  More information about the event is here. The weather forecast for Wednesday is sunny, with a high of 48.

Leaf pickup will end the week of Jan. 6, mayor says

Leaf pickup in Midway will continue through the first week of January because not all leaves have fallen, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift announced today.

"We are still collecting leaves weekly, but will stop collecting the week of Jan. 6, so please have all leaf piles you want collected out by then," Vandegrift said.

The city asks that leaves be places in the utility strips between sidewalks and streets, not in the street where they can complicate drainage, and that branches not be included in the leaf piles.

State Transportation Cabinet confirms Weisenberger Mill bridge is scheduled to open Monday, at 8 a.m.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet photo

The state Transportation Cabinet confirmed this afternoon that the new Weisenberger Mill Bridge is scheduled to open to traffic at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23, five months ahead of schedule. "The bridge, on Weisenberger Mill Road (CR 1015), restores a critical link over South Elkhorn Creek in Scott and Woodford counties," the cabinet's District 7 office said in a news release.

“Restoring this vital connection for motorists and emergency services who depend on the bridge daily was a priority,” said Kelly Baker, chief engineer for District 7. “We listened to the needs of the public, and worked diligently with the contractor to accelerate the opening of the new bridge.”

The old bridge was closed July 1, 2016, after a routine inspection found advanced deterioration was found in the bottom and outermost members that run parallel to the surface of the bridge. The bridge, which had been used by heavy trucks as a shortcut, had been operating under repeatedly lower weight limits, finally at only three tons.

After delays for historical and environmental studies, including citizen input, the state gave up its plans for a two-lane bridge and agreed to install a one-lane structure very much like the old one. "The newly constructed bridge fits within the context of the environment," the release said. "The goal of the project team was to closely match the features of the previous structure. The bridge is a pony truss with galvanized steel, and a concrete deck."

Louisville Paving Co. was the sole bidder on the project and began work Aug. 12. It removed the old bridge in late August and placed the new structure in late November. Crews were working on signs and other final measures today.

The bridge is a popular destination and route for tourists, runners and cyclists, since it overlooks the historic, family-owned Weisenberger Mill, which has been grinding flour in the same location since 1865 and in the same building since 1913. The traffic count on Weisenberger Mill Bridge Road in 2012 was 1,200 vehicles per day, the cabinet said.

Weisenberger Mill bridge about ready for Mon. opening

Bill Jenkins of the Woodford County Road Department walked across the new Weisenberger Mill bridge yesterday morning. The department's Tom Fortenberry said the bridge will be ready for traffic, once state contractor Louisville Paving Co. installs the ends of guardrails.

Louisville Paving posted signs at the Scott County junction of US 62 and 421 saying that the bridge will open Monday, Dec. 23, but the state Transportation Cabinet has been unwilling to guarantee that. Construction went faster than expected largely because of favorable weather, Fortenberry said.

The state is paying for the bridge under a long-ago trade with Woodford County, which is responsible for the bridge under a previous agreement with Scott County. (South Elkhorn Creek is the county line.) The Woodford County Road Department was responsible for blocking traffic and posting signs after the state closed the bridge for safety reasons on July 1, 2016.

Replacement of the bridge was delayed by historical and environmental concerns. In response to concerns by nearby residents who feared a two-lane bridge would lead to more speeding and wrecks, especially in the curve on the Woodford County side, the state contracted for a one-lane pony truss bridge much like the one built in 1935.

Winners of Woman's Club Holiday Decorating Contest

These lighted and decorated windows at 219 W. Higgins St. earned it the Best Christmas Spirit award.

The Midway Woman's Club has announced the winners of this year's Holiday Decorating Contest. Here they are, with nighttime photos and a video by the club's Amanda Glass and Genie Graf:

Special 2019 15th Anniversary MWC Holiday Décor Judging Award – 129 W. Bruen

Best Wreath – 231 Johnson St. (right)

Best Front Door – 111 Coach Station

Most Whimsical Lights – City Hall, 101 E. Main

Most Fun Decorations – 109 S. Gratz

Most Colorful Display – 318 N. Winter

Most Animated Display – 238 W. Stephens

Best Outdoor Tree – 120 E. Higgins (right)

Best Daytime Display – 332 S. Winter

Best Indoor Tree – 136 Carriage Lane

Best Spirit of Woodford Co. – 100 Carriage Ln.

Best Traditional Decorations – 217 N. Turner

Best Business – Goose & Gander, 133 E. Main

Best Decorated Porch – 238 W. Higgins

Best Decorated Yard – 225 E. Higgins

Best Decorated Shed – 219 S. Turner

Best Decorated Fence – 112 Old Towne Walk

Best Decorated Gate – 116 Coach Station

Best Overall Design – 219 Cottage Grove (below, day and night)

Newton Street to be closed at intersection with Dudley Street at 3:30 today due to flooding, cold temperatures

The outlet through Midway University is at lower right. (Google base map)

Newton Street will be closed at its intersection with Dudley Street at 3:30 today due to flooding of Lee Branch and cold temperatures, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift announced via email at 1:45 p.m.

"Because of floodplain runoff from the recent heavy rains, and the falling temperatures, a dangerous, icy condition at the bend on Newton St. where it meets Dudley has caused us to make the decision to close Newton Street at 3:30 p.m. today," Vandegrift wrote. "It will reopen at 8 a.m. tomorrow, and at this time we do not expect any further trouble occurring from this."

The mayor said Newton Street residents won't be cut off; they "will be able to leave their homes by using the back entrance to Midway University," and going through the campus to East Stephens Street. "We’re thankful to Midway University for allowing our residents to exit through campus," he wrote. "Let me know if you have any questions."

State reschedules lane closure for drainage work at railroad overpass: tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Google base map

The state Transportation Cabinet has rescheduled its closure of a lane on Leestown Road at the railroad overpass 1.65 miles east of Midway for 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

The closure is necessary for shoulder work and ditching operations, presumably to resolve a drainage issue near the overpass. The work was postponed from the original date of Monday, Dec. 16, due to inclement weather. The state has posted portable signs warning of possible ice on the highway.

The lane closure will be in effect at Woodford County milepoint 16.15 of US 62, near the overpass and Davistown Road. "All work, and closures are subject to change depending on weather, emergencies, and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways," the cabinet's news advisory says.

Weisenberger Mill Bridge scheduled to open Dec. 23, contractor says; state not willing to promise that

The new bridge structure was placed Nov. 25. (Image from
video shot by Phil Weisenberger, from Weisenberger Mill )

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift announced near the end of last night's City Council meeting that the new Weisenberger Mill bridge could open to traffic before Christmas, months earlier than long thought.

Vandegrift said he had heard from "state officials" and Scott County Magistrate Chad Wallace that "unless something just terrible happens, unexpected, Weisenberger Mill bridge will be open by Christmas Day."

That brought cheers in City Hall, because the bridge has been closed for safety reasons since July 1, 2016, and its replacement has been delayed by environmental and historical considerations. The new bridge was expected to open by May, but construction has proceeded quickly.

Asked if the bridge could be open by Christmas, state Transportation Cabinet District 7 spokeswoman Natasha Lacy said in an email this morning, "There is a possibility for this. However, I will not send out an advisory until we receive final word from the contractor." Asked how long before traffic opening  the advisory would go out, she said "We do not know at this time because of the inclement weather."

UPDATES: The state contractor, Louisville Paving Co., has posted signs saying that the bridge will be open to traffic Dec. 23. Lacy said Wednesday morning, "The contractor did set up variable message boards with the date of the 23rd. However, guardrail work has not been completed. I will send a news release when we (the District 7 Office) are confident that the road/bridge will be open to motorists."

Half of council likes idea of helping form neighborhood associations, half does not; mayor says to watch video

If more neighborhood associations are formed in Midway, it won't be with the help of the city government, with the possible exception of some individual City Council members.

That was the upshot of the main discussion at Monday night's council meeting, when neighborhood-association advocates asked the city for help in planning boundaries and identifying initial leaders.

Council Members Stacy Thurman, John Holloway and Sara Hicks, who sit on one side of the council table, were supportive; Council Members Logan Nance, Bruce Southworth and Kaye Nita Gallagher, who sit on the other side, said the city shouldn't be involved.

Thurman said neighborhood associations would give a greater voice to "parts of Midway that don't really have a voice or use their voice as much other parts," but Gallagher said, "I kind of think it's segregation, to a certain degree."

Mike Adams of Versailles, president of the countywide Council of Neighborhood Associations, said "The idea is to give people a voice, not segregate." Joyce Evans of Midway, a CONA board member, said "We don't feel like anyone has to belong to one association or another."

Southworth said, "I don't see anything on here that we need to do." Nance said, "If people want more governance, let them have more governance."

Evans distinguished between homeowners associations, which can be "about restricting what you can do with your property," and neighborhood associations, which are voluntary. Northridge Estates, with about 125 homes, has a homeowners' association that also functions as a neighborhood association; Campusgate has a neighborhood association that is inactive, Evans said.

Dottie Cordray of the Gayland subdivision in southwest Midway said it doesn't have a neighborhood association, contrary to a written report to the council, "but might be interested" in forming one. The subdivision has about 24 homes.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said, "I've never seen the table so evenly divided" between the council members. He suggested that the council defer the matter until constituents could watch the discussion on Facebook, in a video created by a new recording device that produces a higher quality video than those on the Midway Streaming Government Meetings page. That page will still be used for the recordings, but the meetings won't be live-streamed, at least until more internet bandwidth becomes available.

In other business, the council:

• Heard first reading, without comment, of the ordinances it has worked out to crack down on blighted property. Vandegrift has said he wants second reading and passage at the council's next meeting, on Jan. 6.
• Voted to let Vandegrift proceed with drafting a budget amendment that would delay the sewer cleanout and repair project on the east side of town, buy a $72,000 backhoe (through a state-government price contract) to replace one that has broken down, and get some of the needed money from the streets and cemetery budget lines. Vandegrift said he expected to have first reading of the amendment Jan. 6.
• Approved an encroachment permit for White Dog Trading and Storage, which is building whiskey warehouses along Georgetown Road. Vandegrift said the company's retention basin would be a permanent water feature that "would literally beautify Midway Station."
• Heard Marcie Christensen, chair of the Greenspace Commitee of Midway Renaissance, report that the committee was being revived hopes to deal with a range of environmental and sustainability issues, and is "just a kind of think tank" that is interested in knowing what residents would like it to do.
• Approved an event permit for the Frozen Rails 5K/10K Run/Walk from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on New Year's Day. Organizers said they are expecting 300 to 400 runners, who will use West Bruen, South Turner and East Stephens streets (continuing out Spring Station Road for the 10K). The fourth annual event will raise money for the Midway Ministerial Association.
• Heard that the Iron Horse Half Marathon wants to stick to its new schedule of the Sunday morning of the Midway Fall Festival, about three weeks earlier than the old schedule, but no longer use Gratz Street, which could interfere with the festival and traffic to churches.

Lane of Leestown Road at railroad overpass near Midway WON'T close today for work, state says

UPDATE: The work and the lane closure have been delayed "due to inclement weather," the Transportation Cabinet said this morning. (The original item was published Friday.)

Google base map

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet advises motorists of a lane closure planned for Leestown Road (US 421/US 62) for shoulder work and ditching operations Monday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The location, at US 62 milepoint 16.15 in Woodford County, is near the railroad overpass 1.65 miles west of the Midway city limits. The area has had drainage issues for some time and signs warning of possible ice were placed recently, apparently after a motorist slid into a guardrail.

"All work, and closures are subject to change depending on weather, emergencies, and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways," the cabinet's news release says.

City Council to hold anti-blight ordinances' first reading, hear request to help create neighborhood associations

The Midway City Council agenda for Monday, Dec. 16, includes first reading of two ordinances that Mayor Grayson Vandegrift and the council have drafted to crack down on blighted property. You can read the proposed code-enforcement ordinance here and the proposed amendment to the nuisance ordinance here.

Judy Offutt, left, and Joyce Evans proposed to the council in March
2017 that it help create neighborhood associations. Mayor Grayson
Vandegrift liked the idea but some council members were skeptical.

Other than usual items, the agenda includes a presentation from from Marcie Christensen about a greenspace committee, and one about neighborhood associations from the presidents of the city's two associations (Dottie Cordray of Gayland and Harvey Couch of Northridge Estates); Joyce Evans, a member of the county Committee of Neighborhood Associations; and CONA President Mike Adams.

The written report from Evans says they will ask the council to help establish neighborhood associations in Midway by drawing preliminary boundaries, selecting preliminary representatives and developing a timeline for establishing the associations. More information about CONA is on its Facebook page; the report and other details on agenda items are in the council meeting packet.

The agenda also includes an event permit for the Frozen Rail 5K and 10K races to be held Jan. 1; a discussion about the Iron Horse Half Marathon, which was rescheduled this year for the Sunday of the Midway Fall Festival; and a budget amendment.

All council and committee meetings are open to the public. Council meetings start at 5:30 p.m. on first and third Mondays at City Hall, 101 E. Main St. 

Council debates, tweaks ordinances to crack down on blighted property; first reading scheduled Dec. 16

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift displayed metal objects that he said had fallen from the building at 116 E. Main St.

The Midway City Council seems ready to pass two ordinances to enforce ordinances requiring property owners to maintain their property, following a final work session Monday night.

Following the half-hour discussion, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, who has been trying to crack down on blighted property since he took office almost five years ago, said he would schedule the ordinances for first reading next Monday, Dec. 16, and hope to pass them Jan. 6.

116 E. Main was once the Odd Fellows Hall.

To demonstrate the need for the ordinance, Vandegrift showed the council pieces of metal, some of them heavy and some of them sharp, that he said had fallen from the old Odd Fellows Lodge Hall at 116 E. Main St., which has been owned by Ness Almadari of Lexington since early 2016.

He said someone could have been killed by the heavy object, and Council Member John Holloway said likewise of the sharp ones. "I knew somebody who was killed in an accident like this," he said.

"This is the reason for the rush," Vandegrift said, adding later, "That's sort of the crux of the issue to me."

The only issue that prompted disagreement at the meeting was Council Member Bruce Southworth's concern that one of the proposed definitions of "blighted or deteriorated real property" is too broad.

The proposed definition, taken from state law, applies to vacant structures, or vacant or unimproved lots or parcels "in a predominantly built-up neighborhood" and includes seven alternative criteria. One covers property that "has not been rehabilitated and brought into compliance with the housing, plumbing, electrical, fire or nuisance code of the local government . . . within the time constraints placed upon the owner by the appropriate permitting or code-enforcement agency."

Southworth said half the houses in Midway don't meet the current electrical code. Holloway said the code "grandfathers" such houses and doesn't require them to be upgraded to code.

Vandegrift said action against any property requires a complaint and action by the code inspector, and "you would think it would have already been a problem statewide or it wouldn't be in the current KRS," the Kentucky Revised Statutes. He said the ordinance would be enforced by "a reasonable board, which we're going to appoint."

In response to a question from the Messenger, Vandegrift and Council Member Logan Nance said the provision is intended to apply only in cases where a permitting or code-enforcement agency has ordered the property owner to comply and the owner has failed to do so in the time period established by the agency.

Nance said the provision needed to stay to discourage "slumlords." Council Member Stacy Thurman said it would make enforcement stronger, and Council Member Sara Hicks said "It makes people want to do the right things . . . and it makes the town safer." The other council member, Kaye Nita Gallagher, did not attend the meeting.

Holloway, Nance and Thurman were elected last year, making the council more amenable to action on the issue, but the process has required three special meetings and who knows how many private conversations between members. Vandegrift told the council, "I think you all have made good steps to preclude some things that can be done just out of spite."

The council did ask for one last change, a clarification of the time a property owner would be given to comply after receiving a citation. The proposed code-enforcement ordinance says it would be up to the enforcement officer, but "not less than seven days," while the proposed blighted-property ordinance calls for 10 days' written notice. The council agreed both should say 10 days.

If the owner didn't comply, the case would go to a new Code Enforcement Board of at least three members and two alternates, who must have been residents of the city for a year upon appointment. After initially staggered appointments, they would serve three-year terms, be limited to two terms and could be removed by the mayor or a council majority plus one for "misconduct, inefficiency or willful neglect of duty." They could not hold any office with the city or any agency that enforces housing, plumbing, fire, maintenance or related codes.

Vandegrift has said the Code Enforcement Board is the key to enforcement that would stand up in court. The ordinances follow state laws that were passed in 2016 to give cities more power to crack down on blighted property.

In addition to safety concerns, the mayor said dilapidated properties bring down property values and discourage investment by adjoining property owners. He said the sport of the proposed laws is "not to burden those who don't have the means" to improve their property, "but to make people who have the inventory do something with it."

Model train displays draw children and adults downtown

Christy Reaves's "Holiday" layout (For a larger version of any photo, click on it.)

Closeup shows ice-skating detail on the top of the layout.

Story and photos by Grant Wheeler
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Train enthusiast Christy Reaves put her “Holiday” model train layout on display for the citizens of Midway and visitors to the town Saturday, marking the second year she has hosted an exhibit in the old bank building on East Main Street.

The Midway Business Association sponsors the exhibit, which Reaves said makes use of salvage parts from her past projects in Ashland. “There was so much stuff that was just going to be thrown away,” she said. “It’s great to take it and make it interesting.”

Another view of the layout shows the list of items in the Midway Business Association scavenger hunt.

Reaves said the layout made use of one she did for Halloween, in particular the upper level addition: “I liked it for Halloween so it stayed for Christmas.”

The event aims to bring joy to families and children of the community while attracting shoppers and diners to Midway, the first town in Kentucky created by a railroad (Kentucky's first railroad).

“I’m so glad that all these kids can come see it,” Reaves said as she observed her one-year-old grandson Jaiden, right, fix a fallen sign on the massive layout. She will host classes from Northside Elementary School on Monday to view her layout.

The event drew many families to view the exhibit in the building, owned by Amy and Mike Stinnett.

“It’s a wonderful exhibit,” one viewer said. “Midway being a train town is a significant part of our history. I’m glad that history can be celebrated, that and holiday season really makes this event something special for my children.”

In addition to Reaves’ exhibit, a scale model of Midway was on display in City Hall. The display featured a miniature recreation of Midway, brought to life by parts and other contributions made by citizens of the town and others.

The layout was done in the early 1980s by Laurine and William Grant, who donated it to the city in 2001. A few months ago, Midway Renaissance and several community volunteers joined forces to put it back in shape. It was first displayed at Midway Heritage Day in July.

The restoration added background representations of Midway Christian Church and Midway University.

This view, looking west, shows two RJ Corman trains; when the model was built, two parallel tracks ran through town.

The trains in the layout are miniature RJ Corman Railroad Co. trains, to acknowledge the company that runs trains through Midway on their journeys hauling aluminum between Berea and Louisville.

Other trains were on display. Dave Kacmarcik, below, of Kaz Woodcraft in Lexington was at City Hall to showcase and sell his handmade wooden toy trucks and trains. “Woodworking has always been a hobby of mine,” he said, “and it eventually became a hobby with an income.”

Council to hold special meeting Mon. to discuss draft ordinances on blighted property and code enforcement

City officials say this house at the northwest corner of Higgins
and Turner Streets has been abandoned for about 60 years.

The Midway City Council will have a special meeting Monday night for what seems likely to be a final workshop on the ordinances that Mayor Grayson Vandegrift has been trying to get passed since he was first elected in 2014, to crack down on owners of blighted property.

The meeting at City Hall is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. All council meetings are open to the public, but the agenda for this meeting does not specifically include citizens' comments, as the agendas for regular council meetings do. The council has already held two workshops on the ordinance.

Vandegrift said in his annual report to the council Monday night, "I’ve been very encouraged by the discussion and progress surrounding the proposed Blighted Property and code enforcement ordinances, and this week I will be sending members of the city council the latest draft we’ve been working on together, with the intention of holding a first reading at our meeting on Dec.16 and a second reading and vote on Jan. 6. I understand that this may require a final special meeting on the topic if it appears one is necessary to move forward. I firmly believe this is the only way to truly tackle the problem of blight and abandonment, and the current version is a great example of cooperation and compromise."

Midway woman writes about her 'total lifestyle change'

Wilda Willis Caudle (Facebook photos)

By Wilda Willis Caudle

     A year ago, at 58 years old, I felt like hell and looked about the same. My Type 2 diabetes was managed only by medication and reminded me that I could be the next Willis to die from diabetes-related illness. My primary-care physician was honest and frank with me. The choice was mine to make. Approaching 60 and my family medical history quite honestly scared me to make a total lifestyle change.

Before her lifestyle change

     So, I challenged myself to get in shape and to establish and maintain a healthy weight. No excuses. Well, a year later and thanks to a total lifestyle change I am 70 pounds lighter, off all diabetes and cholesterol medications, at a healthy weight and becoming physically fit. My journey to wellness isn't over it is continually evolving.
     I owe a large part of the lifestyle change to Fit-Time Gym in Frankfort, owned by Diana Geddes, formerly of Midway (the daughter of Patricia and Charles Wilson); my personal trainer, Rebecca Everman; and Rebe Conley's weekly yoga sessions. The encouragement, challenging workouts, and, truthful positive feedback keeps me on track.
     I consider my gym time as therapy; yep, therapy. I have made friendships with women who share my struggles and who are walking the path to wellness. Some have been a member of Fit-Time for at least 20 years.
     Hey, this gym membership is more cost effective than shopping or other forms of conventional therapy. Y'all know how I love making money when shopping for a good deal. :-)
     This year the annual open house is Friday, Dec. 6. Ladies, you can join any other gym in town but you won't have the one-on-one client attention like at Fit-Time for Women. At Fit-Time you get everything all the other gyms have, plus child care, various fitness classes, sauna, the services of a full-service nail salon and massage therapist.The services of the nail salon and massage therapist are in addition to a gym membership. But, you don't have to drive all over town for those services.
     Fit-Time also offers various community projects so its members can give back to others in need like the Backpack Program, the Christmas Angel Tree, recycling plastic bottle tops to be made into benches, and, more.
     Fit-Time for Women is just that -- for women only. A non-judgmental gym for women where everyone is working to be the best they can be. Every journey to wellness is different and nobody is worried about your journey because they are all concentrating on theirs.
     Everyone there is ready to help you be the healthiest and best "you". I might even see you there. What are you waiting for?
The original, longer version of this essay was posted on Facebook on Dec. 4.    

Mayor looks back at a year of improvements in Midway, suggests others to be made with booming tax revenue

By Garrett Burton
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Monday’s City Council meeting was almost entirely dedicated to Mayor Grayson Vandegrift’s annual report, looking back at what had been accomplished in Midway the past year. 

This was “the year we truly put our money where our mouth is in making large investments in our infrastructure . . . but we can’t rest on our laurels,” Vandegrift told the council, suggesting ways the council can use its booming payroll-tax revenue to make more improvements.

“Tax revenue created from new jobs is growing, and that it’s steadily improving our city’s fortune and future as it grows,” the mayor said, announcing that “We are 29 percent ahead of our occupational-tax revenue for the fiscal year, putting us on track to generate $838,000 this cycle.”  The city budgeted $650,000 in occupational-tax income for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

The tax revenue from wages and profits has boomed mainly because of the Lakeshore Learning Materials distribution center, and further job growth will be led by expansion of the center, with 100 new jobs, announced in September. Vandegrift said this puts Lakeshore’s total investment the Midway at around $75 million.

In the only major action at the meeting, the council passed an ordinance authorizing $35 million in industrial revenue bonds for the expansion. The bonds will be paid off solely by Lakeshore’s lease payments to the city, which owns the property. That makes it tax-exempt, but Lakeshore will pay the county schools an amount equal to what it would pay in taxes.

“They will eventually employ at least 362 full time workers in Midway, far and away the largest job provider the city has ever had, and one of the largest in the county,” Vandegrift noted.

The mayor said “2019 saw us create over 225 more jobs in Midway,” and with other jobs expected from businesses that have bought lots in Midway Station, ”It won’t be long until our annual occupational tax revenue is exceeding 1 million dollars. For reference, back in 2015, we were bringing in $300,000.  That is the effect of bringing in 500 new jobs in five years.”

The city used the new revenue to make improvements, including a sidewalk-repair cost-sharing program.  “Of every project we’ve implemented in the last five years,” Vandegrift said, “none generated the number of compliments we received from citizens than this one.”

He said the city “should look seriously” at building new sidewalks “where they are needed and where they are possible,” such as East Stephens Street near the Homeplace at Midway, Leestown Road (US 421) and “the US 62 bypass,” officially Midway Road. He noted that sidewalks on the latter two would “require state input and/or participation.”

When East Stephens Street was repaved, it also got new lines in the center and on its edges.

Other infrastructure improvements this year have included the wastewater treatment plant and improvement this fall of East Stephens Street, including “edge lines which early eyewitness reports indicate are slowing traffic,” Vandegrift said. “It is time we create a five year road plan for a priority list of which roadways should be resurfaced soon,” he said, such as Higgins, Bruen and Gratz streets.

"Money is budgeted this fiscal year for a sewer repair project “that will mark a turning point for us in our efforts to combat aging infrastructure,” the mayor noted.

He said a “decades-long grievance about Midway,” its high water rates, could be ended by switching to a new water wholesaler in 2015, when the city’s contract with Kentucky American Water Co. is up. “Frankfort Plant Board is an obvious and strong candidate for our business because they can sell us equally clean water at a rate 40% cheaper,” he said, but “as other players come to the table, we should hear them out as well.” He said “wholesalers within our own county” are interested.

After the meeting, he said the interest is from the City of Versailles, which already supplies water to the Northeast Woodford Water District, but it’s unclear whether the water would come directly from Versailles or through the district’s lines.

The mayor ended his annual report by thanking city employees, whom he called “the unsung heroes of Midway.” Earlier, he thanked the council members, the Midway Business Association, Midway Renaissance and the city Parks Board for their work.

“I look forward to continuing to work together with you to maintain Midway’s status as a city that defies all expectations,” he said.

Earlier, noting that Versailles and Georgetown have followed Midway’s lead in banning discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, he said, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that because a city is small that it somehow matters less.”

All council members applauded at the conclusion of the report, which can be read in full here.

Other business: Vandegrift said the long-debated ordinance to crack down on blighted property, which he has been trying to get passed since his election in 2015, should be ready for first reading at the Dec. 16 meeting.  He said he plans to have the second reading and final vote Jan. 6, but a special meeting if there are further questions.

 “I firmly believe this is the only way to tackle the problem of blight and abandonment,” he said, “and the current version is a great example of cooperation and compromise.”

Council Member Logan Nance asked that the council discuss the policy of shutting off water users for nonpayment, policy he said in September should be abolished. Vandegrift said the issue is “next on the agenda.”

Chef Ouita Michel of Midway recognized at UK football game for championing Kentucky's local-food movement

News release and video by University of Kentucky Public Relations and Marketing

The accolades for Kentucky’s food scene have been rolling in the last several years, and few leaders are as responsible for growing the state’s culinary landscape as University of Kentucky alumna Ouita Michel.

Before UK's home football game against the University of Louisville on Saturday, the celebrated chef and restaurateur was recognized on Kroger Field for her work as one of the original champions of Kentucky’s local food movement.

Saturday's rain didn't keep Ouita Michel off the football field.

A James Beard Foundation Award nominee as Outstanding Restaurateur and Best Chef in the Southeast, Michel has built a regional restaurant empire that now includes such popular establishments as Zim’s Cafe, Honeywood, Holly Hill Inn, The Midway Bakery, Smithtown Seafood, Wallace Station, Windy Corner Market and Restaurant and Glenn’s Creek Café.

Michel majored in political science at the UK College of Arts and Sciences and was a member of the debate team, the honors program (now Lewis Honors College) and the first class of Gaines Fellows. In 1986, she became only the second woman to win a national debate championship.

After earning her bachelor’s degree, Michel moved to New York where she graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and met her husband, Chris. The two returned to Kentucky in 1993 for their wedding, and opened their first restaurant, Holly Hill Inn in Midway, in 2000 where she became one of the state’s pioneers of using local-sourced products.

Midway Makers Market, open five months on Main, sells goods from about 50 Kentucky artists and crafters

Co-owner Amy Bowman with her embroidery machine

Story and photos by Kennedy Sabharwal
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

In July, the Midway Makers Market opened and began selling handmade products from local vendors at 130 East Main St., the former home of Midway Sweet Tooth.

“We have local makers with us from Kentucky as far away as Ashland and Maysville,” says co-owner Amy Bowman, who decided to open the store after months of selling her own handmade embroidery through Local Kentucky 68 in Maysville and the Carlisle Country Market.

Bowman said that before opening, “I posted in two Facebook groups filled with artists from across the state saying I’m thinking of doing this store in Midway; you know, just kind of interested in how many of you would be interested in participating with me.”

The shop opened in July at 130 E. Main St.

She wanted to have 30 or 40 makers respond but within days over 100 sent in applications, Bowman said. She knew that she couldn’t do the task on her own, so she asked Ann Parks to join her.

“I knew Ann,” she recalled. “We had met just by doing shows and then we would bump into each other in different places, and I knew that she had taken time off from her regular 9-to-5 job to work full-time on her craft.”

Parks, who does crochet and woodwork, grew up in Midway and still lives in Woodford County. “Ann immediately said yes when I asked her to please be my business partner,” Bowman said. “It’s just such a blessing and it has made it to much more fun for me to have her by my side.”

Pieces by Croc o' Mud pottery are popular.

Bowman is a Lexington native who moved to Midway about five years ago after, she said, “falling in love with the community.”

Bowman said she keeps about 50 different vendors in her store at a time and will rotate out products when necessary: “We ask people to give us at least three months when they sign on to sell their products through us. . . . We always have new stuff, though, even our regulars will come in and say, ‘Wow you guys moved everything around,’ because you just have to!”

She said some of the most popular things in their store right now are Croc o’ Mud Pottery pieces from Versailles and Classy Collections by MO, from Melissa Owens in Somerset. A few makers from Midway are Whither Wander Jewelry, Honey Bee Bangles and Candles, and Janet Cushing Howard original painted pillows and canvases.

The store has several Midway products.

Bowman said there are always new and fun things in the store, though, so it is hard for her to say which items are the best sellers.

Bowman and Parks said they open their store at 11 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday and strive to keep it open later in the evening, usually until 8 p.m., so people who may work during the day can make a trip over and see the merchandise.

The two owners said they love having the store, and Parks said, “We are really tickled with it!”

Steady rain didn't keep dozens of children and parents from turning out to greet Santa Claus as he arrived in Midway via RJ Corman Railroad right on time at 11 this morning.

Santa waved to the crowd, which had waited in and around Railroad Drug for his arrival.

Mrs. Claus led the way off the train as the crowd awaited eagerly, took pictures and tried to stay dry.

Amarion Reed, 7, of Versailles, was the first in line to meet Santa inside the old bank building. Santa's visit was sponsored by the Midway Business Association. Next week the building will house a model-train display. For a larger version of any photo on the Midway Messenger, click on it.

Message from the Mayor: Thankful for many things

By Grayson Vandegrift
Mayor, City of Midway

As we come to another Thanksgiving I find I’m more thankful than ever. As always, I’m thankful for my friends and family and this wonderful community, but this year I’m also thankful for a few things specific to 2019:

I’m thankful, for example, that the sidewalk cost-sharing program was a smooth success (pun intended), that the street project came in under budget, and that we’re now a debt-free city. I’m also thankful that the council was agreeable to funding these initiatives, although they were not without their tough questions and discerning eyes, as they should be.

I’m thankful we were able to cut property taxes a little bit more, as we restructure our tax revenue stream for the future. I’m also thankful the blighted property and code enforcement ordinances are moving along smoothly and are hopefully headed for passage. And while I’m thankful for much more, I also know I’ve only got your attention for so long, but I’m very thankful we have a plan to give our city what it deserves – options – when its current 40-year contract with Kentucky American Water expires in 2025 and we’re free to go to the Frankfort Plant Board or another competing wholesaler so we can pay lower rates – much lower rates.

I’m also very thankful for our incredible city employees who keep the town running like a finely tuned machine. They deserve the long weekend they have coming up – and then some.

I hope you’re feeling as thankful as I am this Thanksgiving, and I hope you can keep those divisive topics off the table where the food belongs, topics like: “Are we Midwegians or Midwayans?” Some topics are just better left at the front door.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope to see you at the Tree Lighting this Friday night at 6:30.

Bridge placed at Weisenberger Mill; long-delayed project is on target for expected completion in May

Just as a crane lifted the old, dilapidated Weisenberger Mill bridge off its moorings on Aug. 30, one lifted a new one from a stretch truck and placed it on the recently strengthened abutments. Phil Weisenberger shot a video from his family's mill and sped it up for easier viewing. This is one frame.

For long-debated reasons of historic preservation and safety, the new bridge is a one-lane, pony truss, much like the old one. The project is expected to be completed in May, just in time for the summer tourist season. The bridge over South Elkhorn Creek, where a mill and scenic dam have stood since 1865, is a favorite stop in the Bluegrass.

The state's contract with Louisville Paving Co. gives the firm until July 26 to complete the project, but highway officials said after meeting with the contractor that they expected it to be open by May. Natasha Lacy, spokeswoman for the district office of the state Transportation Cabinet, said Tuesday that the project is on schedule and Louisville Paving would like to complete the bridge itself by Jan. 1. She said that is possible with favorable weather, but approaches to the bridge are also part of the contract, and "They take time to pave, and compact fill correctly. Sidewalk and signs have to be installed as well."

‘Sip and Shop’ tests new open-carry policy and promotes holiday shopping, eating and drinking

Donna Ishmael, George Ishmael, Randy Cederquist and Emily Cederquist

said they went into all 20 businesses that offered clues in a scavenger hunt.

Story and photos by Megan Parsons

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

On a rainy Saturday, Nov. 23, downtown Midway held a “Sip and Shop” event, the first big test of the cty’s open-carry policy, which allows drinkers to take alcoholic beverages in and out of licensed premises within the center’s boundaries downtown.

George Ishmael, Donna Ishmael, Randy Cederquist and Emily Cederquist of Bourbon and Nicholas counties said they heard about the event on Facebook. “We enjoyed the scavenger hunt, we went in every shop,” Randy Cederquist said.

The scavenger hunt encouraged people to visit downtown stores and restaurants; 20 had clues that participants could find if they visited. If they figured out the clue they took a picture with it and showed them at the Midway Makers Market, where they were entered to win a gift basket.

A sign at City Hall marked one corner of
the new "entertainment destination center."

Sam Fisher, owner of Fisher Antiques, estimated he had 50 to 60 people come to his store because of the promotion. He said, “everyone had good behavior.” Many who visited his shop were tourists, “There was a couple were staying at a bed-and-breakfast in Midway,” he said. “Although, most were from the surrounded area of Georgetown, Versailles or Lexington.”

Sarah Hurlburst and Blake Nickell of Morehead were celebrating their anniversary at Wallace Station on Saturday when they saw the flier for the Sip and Shop, and decided to take advantage of the open-carry policy for their anniversary weekend. “It was a pleasant surprise,” said Nickell.

Jan Ramos, a designer at The Milam House, said “The open-carry policy is good for the whole town. I think it’s fairer for the restaurants too, during the summer when West Sixth [Brewing] and places have their big trucks here for events; now it evens the playing field, because people can buy their drinks from restaurants too.”

Ramos said only 10 to 15 people who had come in to the store before 3:30 p.m. had drinks. “Of course the weather has something to do with it,” she said.

The event’s Facebook page said 121 people were going and 4,400 were interested. Many store owners and managers said the rainy weather kept people away.

Mezzo noted "new open container regulations" on its door.

Cortney Neikirk, bar manager at the Mezzo restaurant, said she wasn’t sure that the open-carry policy will increase sales, but “If a couple comes in and the woman wants to shop and the man wants a beer, well, now they can have both, and that’s a beer you wouldn’t have sold.”

Crittenden Rawlings of Crittenden Clothing said he wasn’t sure how it will help shops downtown. “It’ll help in the summer for the local restaurants, but during those summer concerts downtown when the bands are here, the stores aren’t open.” Some hope the policy will encourage more to stay open.

Kenny Swift of Kennydid Gallery of Gifts and Fine Arts, has long said Midway stores need to keep longer hours. He said the Sip and Shop didn’t really affect his business, besides those coming in for a photo with his big dog Ansel for the scavenger hunt. He said the rainy weather affected the turnout, but he wasn’t sure how well it was advertised.

The open-carry policy is in effect from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. if beverages have a cup with the logo of the name of the restaurant that served it.

Other Midway holiday events include: Community Christmas Tree Lighting, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29; Santa arrives by train, late morning Nov. 30; model train exhibit, Dec. 7; and the Candy Cane Cruise, Dec. 14.

Local magazine proposes 3-month trial partnership with county Tourist Commission, which says it will discuss it

By Dalton Stokes

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Emily Downey gave her first report on her progress this past month as the first executive director of the Woodford County Tourist Commission at Thursday’s meeting.

The commission also planned for the Dec. 7 opening of the new visitor center and heard a proposal from the Woodford Charm magazine for a partnership, which could produce an annual magazine, a mobile app for events, and an online show filmed at rotating Woodford County destinations.

Downey was appointed at the October meeting. “She’s done a lot already,” Commission Chair Maria Bohanan said. “She’s probably earned her keep.”

Downey said, “In about 15 business days we’ve met with over 25 folks.” She said she met with some “tourism colleges” in many of the surrounding counties, the National Tourist Association, Midway University, the commission’s digital marketing contractor, Brainbox; and has talked with the mayors of both Woodford County towns, and that she and Bohanan are prepared to present an update at the fiscal court meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26.

In the midst of Downey’s report, Bohanan suggested an annual Woodford County “stakeholders’ meeting.” She said, “We want to bring all the stakeholders in … We want to hear their needs … Some of the small businesses need to be heard, also.” She said the meeting would most likely be after Jan. 1 but before spring, when Keenland “ramps up.”

Downey also brought up the possibility of doing a restaurant week, but this was only briefly mentioned, and no motions were made.

The magazine's second and latest issue

Woodford Charm proposal: Cory Cooley of the magazine enthusiastically delivered his partnership idea at the end of the meeting. He laid out the proposal in three parts. The centerpiece would be The Woodford Trail, an annual magazine that his written proposal describes as “Woodford County’s first ‘Trade Almanac’” with advertising limited to full pages or two pages.

From that idea, he said, sprang the idea of an "online show" called "Woodford Trail," of about five minutes per episode. He proposed a show similar to Netflix’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” in which comedian Jerry Seinfeld interviews celebrities in cars and coffee shops, but in Woodford County locations.

Cooley said he would be a constant host and have a “revolving cohost” or guest that would change each episode and accompany him to a destination. Woodford County businesses could be destinations or become a guest by buying an ad in the annual magazine. “The options are endless,” Cooley said. “We can do a Midway-centric show, a Versailles-centric show … a horse farm-centric show and tour a horse farm all day.”

The pilot episode, already in the works, will feature Chef Ouita Michel at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, breakfast with her at Wallace Station, then somewhere to shop in Versailles, Cooley said. The Woodford Trail magazine would follow in January or February.

The third prong of Cooley’s proposal is a smartphone application, with what he called a “simple one-stop shop of all things to do in Woodford County,” and an interactive map. Buying one ad would get a business in the show and on the app.

Cooley proposed a three-month trial partnership in which Cooltucky Creative, one of the organizations behind The Woodford Charm, would produce and film three monthly episodes of the show and develop the first issue of the magazine. Cooley said one of the episodes could focus on Woodford County tourism. The partnership would cost the commission an estimated $6,150. Cooley stressed that a lot of the details are not set in stone.

The commission discussed the idea with Cooley for 12½ minutes. Member Ken Kerkhoff said "You might be able to rationalize it" by saying the $6,000 would provide content that could be used for tourism promotion, and he said Cooley could have access "to use any of our B-roll," or supplemental video, from the commission's previous video efforts.

The commission made no decision on the proposal, and Bohanan said the members would discuss it. The members set their next meeting for 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Versailles Municipal Building. Bohanon said afterward that there would be no special meetings before then.

Visitor center: Bohanan talked about the things needed to put the finishing touches on the new Woodford County Visitor Center and said, “Give us another week and the visitor center will look very nice.” The open house for the center and the unveiling of the new horse farm mural will be Dec. 7 starting at 3:30 p.m. right before the Christmas parade at 5 p.m., said Downey.

The event will include a mural signing by artist Stephen Sawyer at Corner Drug and move over to visitors center in the Amsden building. Light refreshments will be provided at the open house.

The commission has $650 leftover from its budget for murals. It unanimously approved up to $650 to be used to create a postcard featuring the new mural, with Woodford County tourism-related QR codes on the back.

The commission’s contract with Brainbox ends in January and Bohanan said the commission will be discussing revisions for the contract.

Leaf pickup resumes after machine is repaired; put leaves between sidewalk and street, without branches

Leaf pickup in Midway has been delayed because the necessary equipment has been out of commission, but it has resumed, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said in an email today.

“We’ve received quite a few calls at city hall about leaf pickup,” he wrote, “so I want to let everyone know that the leaf machine has been under repair but is now back up and our employees are going to work on getting caught up all day today. I’ve also approved for them to work Saturday on leaf pickup as well.”

Vandegrift said in an interview that leaves need to be placed between the sidewalk and the street, not in the street, where they may be washed into the sewer system. He also warned against putting branches in with leaves, because branches can tear up the leaf machine.

City Council votes to make Midway debt-free

Midway, call Dave Ramsey. You're about to be debt-free, just like those happy callers to his financial-advice radio show.

The City Council voted Monday night to pay off the city's remaining debts, totaling about $184,000. "Anytime you can be debt-free, it's good," said Council Member Bruce Southworth, who made the motion for the payments.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said City Clerk-Treasurer Cindy Foster suggested that the city pay off its remaining two debts, $176,311 for a sewer project and about $8,400 on a fire truck. He said the city's "number are good, and they're going to get better," with jobs to be added at Midway Station. "We've got more than enough rainy-day funds."

Nationally, local-government "rainy day funds" average about one-third of spending, according to a 2013 article in Governing magazine. The City of Midway's bank balances total $1,182,490, according to a list Vandegrift provided. Its budget for the fiscal year that will end June 30 calls for General Fund appropriations of $1.9 million and a projected surplus of $488,601. That surplus is expected to be larger.

The city's finances have been boosted by its occupational tax on wages and net profits, mainly through the approximately 250 jobs created at Midway Station by the Lakeshore Learning Materials distribution center, which is starting an expansion that is to add 100 more jobs.

Vandegrift said the city collected about $300,000 in occupational taxes in 2015, the first year he was mayor, and "It's only a matter of time before our occupational-tax revenue is $1 million a year." In response to a question from Council Member Stacy Thurman, he said he didn't see any downside to paying off the debts and eliminating the city's interest payments.

In other business, the council heard first reading of an ordinance for an industrial revenue bond to finance the Lakeshore expansion. In an arrangement typical for local governments, the city will take title to the property, thus exempting it from property taxes, and lease it back to Lakeshore. (The company makes payments to the county schools equal to the amount it would pay in taxes.) The lease payments will be the sole source of revenue to pay off the bonds, and "The city's not pledging its taxing authority," Tim Eifler, a Louisville lawyer representing Lakeshore, told the council.

"Lakeshore's already turning dirt," Vandegrift noted earlier.

Amanda Glass wins Midway Charity Chili Cook-Off

Cathy Elam gets some of Amanda Glass's winning chili.

Armed with spoons and cups, residents and visitors prowled the sidewalks of East Main Street today in search of the best chili among 14 entries in this year's Midway Charity Chili Cook-Off. The winner was Amanda Glass, who said one of the key ingredients in her spicy chili was pulled pork. She won $50 and a trophy.

Chip Guillot stirred with a paddle.

Second place went to Chip Guillot, manager of Southern Equine Farm, who won the cook-off last year. He said his new touch was beef grilled over black walnut logs. He received $30 and a medal.

Placing third was Karissa Arnold of Elkhorn Oaks Farm, who had two entries, one of them vegetarian. "I chopped vegetables until I thought my hand was bruised," she said. She received $20 and a medal.

The winners were chosen by eaters who paid $5 for a spoon, cups, napkins and three tickets to put in voting bowls.

Attendance was up over last year, said Zachary Rankin of Midway Renaissance, which assisted with the event, part of the Midway Business Association's series of holiday promotions. He said it raised more than $800 for the Midway Ministerial Association.

Third prize winner Karissa Arnold used sweet potatoes in her two chilis.