MIDWAY COUNCIL HEARS PLANS FOR MOVIE FILIMING
By Scott White
Woodford Sun Staff
Woodford Sun Staff
Jeff Laub, of Laub Photography, informed the Midway City Council of the filmmakers’ needs from the city for scenes to be shot for the movie “Mr. Manhattan.”
The movie is a production of Great American Family Media for the Pure Flix streaming channel. Laub described Pure Flix as a faith-oriented channel akin to the movies shown on the Hallmark channel. The filming will take place on either May 9 or 10 and require the closing of the north side of Main Street and intermittent closings of Midway Road near the intersection with Main Street for three to four hours. Midway Maker’s Market, Midway Christian Church and Goose & Gander will be used as locations.
Mayor Stacy Thurman advised that no action was needed from council during its meeting on Tuesday. Even so, all members were strongly supportive and noted the positive marketing impact since the film will reference Midway in the credits.
Councilmember Dee Mason asked how the filmmakers planned to deal with expected interruptions from trains. Loeb asked, “Well, how often do trains come through?” which prompted laughter from everyone. When told several times a day, Loeb chuckled and said, “You’d be surprised how flexible directors and actors are in those moments – they just stop, wait till the disturbance is over and then pick right back up.”
The council also had its second reading of the short-term rentals (STR) ordinance which was then passed unanimously. The ordinance is now in effect. Thurman, noting that there are existing STRs in the prohibited zones that are now grandfathered in, advised that applicants could still file for a conditional use permit for a new STR that would need to be approved by the Board of Adjustments.
Jeremy Devine, the unpaid manager of Walter Bradley Park, and Midway Park Board member Cecelia Gass presented the 2023 budget request for its operations in the amount of $29,010. Devine covered how the board had used its funding from last year which included a new pedway from the old to the new paddock section, the enormous success of the memorial tree planting program, protection from invasive plant species, and general upkeep of existing plantings, structures, and trails.
In listing the Board’s priorities for this year, Gass first pointed out that thanks to the thousands of hours put in by volunteers with Friends of Walter Bradley Park, Midway has the equivalent of a professional parks department like those found in other cities. The board’s top priorities, in order, are: fixing the impact of floods and heavy storms on the dog park with a project already approved and partially funded via a grant from the Kentucky Department of Water Management ($13,790); installation of two water hydrants to resolve the untenable situation of having to haul and use hundreds of feet of hose to tie into the water source ($1,470); trail upgrades ($2,050); Eccogrow, Inc., contract for continuing to provide services for invasive species and trail upkeep ($6,200); the construction of a wind-break structure to protect the “porta-potties” which often get blown over by storms ($2,500); and, general supplies, maintenance and storage ($1,000).
Councilmember Patrick Hall, who is the council’s designee on the Board, pointed out the excellent stewardship of the board. The council will deal with the request during the annual budgeting process in the next few weeks.
Sammy Lee, C.P.A., Midway’s outside auditor, presented the results and overview of the annual audit expressing the opinion that the city is in “perfect compliance with all accounting principles,” and that the administration and council are “doing an excellent job as fiscal stewards.” Lee noted that this was the highest opinion an auditor can express on a municipality’s financial condition. The council unanimously approved the audit as required by state law.
The movie is a production of Great American Family Media for the Pure Flix streaming channel. Laub described Pure Flix as a faith-oriented channel akin to the movies shown on the Hallmark channel. The filming will take place on either May 9 or 10 and require the closing of the north side of Main Street and intermittent closings of Midway Road near the intersection with Main Street for three to four hours. Midway Maker’s Market, Midway Christian Church and Goose & Gander will be used as locations.
Mayor Stacy Thurman advised that no action was needed from council during its meeting on Tuesday. Even so, all members were strongly supportive and noted the positive marketing impact since the film will reference Midway in the credits.
Councilmember Dee Mason asked how the filmmakers planned to deal with expected interruptions from trains. Loeb asked, “Well, how often do trains come through?” which prompted laughter from everyone. When told several times a day, Loeb chuckled and said, “You’d be surprised how flexible directors and actors are in those moments – they just stop, wait till the disturbance is over and then pick right back up.”
The council also had its second reading of the short-term rentals (STR) ordinance which was then passed unanimously. The ordinance is now in effect. Thurman, noting that there are existing STRs in the prohibited zones that are now grandfathered in, advised that applicants could still file for a conditional use permit for a new STR that would need to be approved by the Board of Adjustments.
Jeremy Devine, the unpaid manager of Walter Bradley Park, and Midway Park Board member Cecelia Gass presented the 2023 budget request for its operations in the amount of $29,010. Devine covered how the board had used its funding from last year which included a new pedway from the old to the new paddock section, the enormous success of the memorial tree planting program, protection from invasive plant species, and general upkeep of existing plantings, structures, and trails.
In listing the Board’s priorities for this year, Gass first pointed out that thanks to the thousands of hours put in by volunteers with Friends of Walter Bradley Park, Midway has the equivalent of a professional parks department like those found in other cities. The board’s top priorities, in order, are: fixing the impact of floods and heavy storms on the dog park with a project already approved and partially funded via a grant from the Kentucky Department of Water Management ($13,790); installation of two water hydrants to resolve the untenable situation of having to haul and use hundreds of feet of hose to tie into the water source ($1,470); trail upgrades ($2,050); Eccogrow, Inc., contract for continuing to provide services for invasive species and trail upkeep ($6,200); the construction of a wind-break structure to protect the “porta-potties” which often get blown over by storms ($2,500); and, general supplies, maintenance and storage ($1,000).
Councilmember Patrick Hall, who is the council’s designee on the Board, pointed out the excellent stewardship of the board. The council will deal with the request during the annual budgeting process in the next few weeks.
Sammy Lee, C.P.A., Midway’s outside auditor, presented the results and overview of the annual audit expressing the opinion that the city is in “perfect compliance with all accounting principles,” and that the administration and council are “doing an excellent job as fiscal stewards.” Lee noted that this was the highest opinion an auditor can express on a municipality’s financial condition. The council unanimously approved the audit as required by state law.
The council also approved the necessary permit for Midway’s Juneteenth celebration to be held on June 17. Councilmember Mary Raglin provided an overview of the set-up and take-down process as well as what visitors can expect to see and enjoy.
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