EDA board lines up sales of four large Midway Station lots that are supposed to produce 70 new jobs

Lots 24, 25, 26 and 27 were prepared for sale by EDA at its meeting Tuesday. (For a larger image, click on it.)

Seventy more jobs would come to Midway Station under instruments approved Tuesday by the board of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority. 

The EDA board approved a letter of intent to sell two lots to CSI, which makes auto parts robotics for the auto industry, and a purchase contract for two with Dever Inc., which sells and rents golf-cart fleets.

"CSI is a hi-tech manufacturer for the automobile industry which will bring 40 high-paying jobs and will take Lots 24 and 25," Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said in an email to the City Council after the meeting. He said Dever will buy Lots 26 and 27 and "bring roughly 30 more jobs to town."

EDA Chair Michael Michalisin of Midway said the sales, after real-estate commissions, would generate $845,000, about $688,000 of which would go toward reducing the mortgage on the industrial and commercial park, with EDA keeping the remaining $157,000.

Vandegrift said the sales would reduce the debt on the property by about a third. "This is a big day for a number of reasons," he wrote. "This marks the beginning of a shift to a new phase, as these are the last remaining industrial lots in Midway Station not currently under contract."

Lot 30 is under option with Barnhill Chimney, and Lots 29 and 31 are in the process of being sold to Creech Inc., which collects muck from horse farms and ships it to mushroom farms in Tennessee.

Vandegrift noted that 130 acres of north of Midway Station is zoned industrial, "but this is a very nice turning point for the history of our industrial park. Both of these new companies are relocating from Lexington, and while they are not done deals just yet, they’re moving along very quickly and I am confident they will both get across the finish line. We could all use good news right now, and I’m very excited about both of these new companies."

Mayor names committee to study rising property valuations and how a tax-rebate program might work

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift has formed a committee to consult with tax experts and look into a tax-rebate program as property valuations are rising in the city, which usually leads to a rise in property taxes.

Logan Nance

The committee, at least for now, is City Council Member Logan Nance, Woodford County Fiscal Court Magistrate Liles Taylor of Midway, and Midway Business Association President Cortney Neikirk. They will study the rise in valuations and consult with tax experts, including local ones, then present their findings and offer recommendations for action to the council.

In his email to the council and the Messenger, Vandegrift didn’t explain what a tax rebate program might look like. “I’m being purposefully vague because I think the committee should hammer out the details,” he wrote.

Liles Taylor

Cortney Neikirk

He said valuations are rising due to lack of housing supply to meet demand, and the fact that the city's valuation hadn't been assessed for four years before its housing market "really took off."

He said county Property Valuation Administrator Judy Bobbitt told him she divides the county into four quadrants that are each reviewed every four years and assessed at fair market value, based mainly on comparable sales in the area.

Vandegrift quoted from Bobbitt’s email: “The market is definitely up right now. Most likely four years ago there was not an increase in sales, like this year.” She said homeowners should watch nearby sales to compare with their valuation, and “If they don't agree with our assessments please give us a call and we will be happy to review with them.”

The mayor said he had been told an "anecdotal story about a home whose valuation rose by $90,000. I doubt that's the norm, though."

With many already dealing with financial hardships amid the covid-19 pandemic, Vandegrift said he wants to avoid a rise in property taxes. He said the pandemic “has accelerated our plans to tackle the issue and help prevent folks from struggling to keep up with the taxation associated with higher values."

He said one possible solution would be to reduce property taxes, “but we’ve already cut them 30% and I don't want to hamstring ourselves or future leaders from being able to raise them if the revenue is needed." Midway's real-estate tax rate is now about the same as the rate in Versailles.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday, via Zoom.

Merchants reach foregone conclusion, cancel festival

The Midway Business Association canceled this year's Midway Fall Festival at its monthly meeting Wednesday, due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was a decision no one liked.

"It sucks," MBA President Cortney Neikirk and event coordinator Elisha Holt said, at different times.

Neikirk began the discussion in the Mezzo patio by saying, "I think we all know what the inevitable vote is." She said Mayor Grayson Vandegrift had made that clear, and though the City Council had issued a permit in  January for the event to be held Sept. 19-20, it could revoke the permit if necessary.

"In all fairness, we don't want to have the council make a decision that's ours to make," Neikirk said. She said the idea of having the event on private property wasn't "sensible . . . because Fall Festival is for the merchants."

Some events such as the Kentucky Derby are going ahead with limited attendance, but they are able to enforce limits because they can block access to parking, which can't be done with the festival, Holt said.

Neikirk said the merchants "still have some options to do a few things," such as socially distanced movie nights in the yard between Main and Martin streets, but "I don't know that it would necessarily help the merchants," and "The movies are pretty expensive" to rent.

Earlier, Holt said, "I honestly think that our fall time is dead." She said the association still hopes to have Santa Claus arrive on a train the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but remain on the train and have some sort of socially distanced interaction with children.

"People are itching to get out and do things," Holt said, but Nekirk gave the flip side: "The last thing we want to do is be overrun and be accused of causing an outbreak."

On more positive notes:

• Holt reported that the Facebook commercial filmed recently, with merchants and restaurateurs waving at a drone flying down Main Street, is almost ready and will be targeted to metropolitan areas within driving distance.
• Emily Downey, executive of the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce and the county Tourism Commission, said the agency is targeting markets such as Nashville and St. Louis with ads promoting "Woodford Weekends" for "families, gals and guys."
• After a discussion of the need for a public restroom downtown, especially on weekends when City Hall is closed, Neikirk said she would again discuss the issue with city officials.
• The city is accepting applications from businesses for federally funded grants to compensate them for pandemic-related losses. All those approved will get the same amount, Neikirk said, noting, "We fought for this." The City Council voted 3-2 for two more rounds of vouchers that citizens could redeem at businesses, but switched to grants after state officials said federal relief funds wouldn't pay for vouchers and 19 Midway business people signed a letter warning that most businesses in town could close if they didn't get direct aid.
• Vandegrift told businesses in an email, "The application is available for you to print on our city website meetmeinmidway.com. If you are unable to print you can pick up a copy at City Hall, you may just want to call ahead. Please fill out the application and return to city hall or scan and email it back to sonya@meetmeinmidway.com by 4 p.m. Friday, July 17."

The John Soper era ends at EDA and Midway Station; mayor calls the last six years 'an incredible turnaround'

Economic Development Authority Chair John Soper discussed
Midway Station at a Midway City Council meeting in October.

By Al Cross
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The long, down-and-up story of Midway Station entered another chapter Friday as John Soper stepped down as chair of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority and was succeeded by Michael Michalsin of Midway.

Soper, a former banker, has overseen the revitalization of EDA's industrial and commercial park and led the agency into development of an adjacent area, both of which have turned it from the city's main liability into its key source of revenue.

"When I became mayor, Midway Station was pretty much empty," and the city and the county owed more than $5 million on it, Mayor Grayson Vandegrift told the EDA board in its online meeting. "There was a lot of talk that Midway Station just needed to be sold at the courthouse steps," in foreclosure, which would have been "a disaster."

"Instead, through John's leadership" and the rest of the board, the park has reduced the debt to $2 million, gained seven clients and 10 projects with more than 500 jobs, including the city's largest employer (Lakeshore Learning Materials, which is adding a second building and 100 more jobs) and The Journey, a church that will have a day-care center, which is "a huge get for us," Vandegrift said.

The city's occupational tax on wages and net profits has allowed the city to cut property taxes over 30 percent and reduce sewer rates 25 percent, the mayor noted. And the sale of lots in the park saved the city a $40,000 interest payment this year.

"When John took over as chair, they couldn't pay a bill," Vandegrift said. "And now they're telling us we don't have to pay some of our bills ... because they're paying them for us, like the interest payment on Midway Station. It's an incredible turnaround."

The mayor said he was glad Michalsin is willing to be chair, and told Soper, "I think your legacy will be carried on."

Michalsin said he was willing to take the job on an interim basis, since the board's mission may evolve as it and the three governmental bodies decide how to move on from a paid chairman.

Arranging that role in late 2016 prompted a brief clash between Soper and Vandegrift at a City Council meeting, but the relationship between the pro-development Soper and Vandegrift, who has a large preservationist constituency, evolved into a partnership that worked.

Soper said Vandegrift played a key role in making Midway Station a success by agreeing to borrow $450,000 for a larger natural-gas line to serve the property. He called that "one of the greatest decisions that's ever been made in Woodford County" because it ensured that Lakeshore would come. "That deal was going to evaporate that day if you did not make that decision."

Soper said he is proudest that "We never lost a big deal." He took one last opportunity to promote the Edgewood development in Versailles, which is tied up in court, but after Vandegrift complimented him, Soper said, "We don't have to look like Georgetown; we don't have to look like Jessamine County, and I've never wanted us to do that."

Among the actions the board also took Friday were approval of a deed giving the city ownership of the lot where its only functioning water tower stands, and a deal in which the city will gain control of 38 acres along Interstate 64 to serve as greenspace, "which I think will help us control what the industrial park looks like," Vandegrift said.

The city would get the property in return for forgiving $500,000 to $750,000 of debt owed to it by the EDA, most of which is for the gas line but not all of which is considered collectible. Soper said the city would take over mowing the property next year.

Future development: Renewed interest in property at Midway Station could force the board and the city to decide to allow a larger development than would be allowed under the current property plat and street system.

Kyle Johnson of Lexington, one of the EDA's real-estate agents, said one prospect is looking for 30 to 40 acres for a 100-employee distribution facility, which would require "dealing with roads" and lots that are now zoned for retail business.

"We don't turn any deals down until they don't make sense," Johnson said. "Something big like that, we definitely would want to bring Grayson in." Other prospects include one that is interested in 10 acres but would add only 10 to 15 jobs, and a meatpacking operation that is "probably a longshot."

The Messenger asked the agents about Creech Services, which bales horse-stall muck and ships it out of state. The Lexington firm is looking for a location closer to horse farms but wants assurances that it would be allowed in Midway Station under an anti-composting restriction placed on the property after Bluegrass Stockyards tried to relocate there 13 years ago. Senior real-estate agent Matt Stone said Creech was trying to work out a deal with Keeneland.

Planning and Zoning Director Pattie Wilson reported that White Dog Trading, which is building bourbon warehouses and an office building in Midway Station, will have a permanent pool of water in its necessarily large drainage-detention basin. "It'going to be an amenity," she said. Soper said the firm's office building "will be a compliment to Midway Station," and its four warehouses will produce much revenue, mainly for schools, from taxes on the aging whiskey.

Soper also complimented Wilson and her staff, saying "You guys move at the speed of business . . . You treat everybody fairly who comes into that office . . .Your all's agenda is just good planning."

McGrath leads Senate primary race in Woodford with last-few-days absentee ballots still to be counted

McConnell, McGrath and Booker (CNN image)

Amy McGrath of Georgetown appears to have won Woodford County in her bid for the Democratic nomination to face Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Counting all ballots received through Tuesday, County Clerk Sandy Jones said McGrath has 2,180 votes, just over half the total, to 1,424 for state Rep. Charles Booker of Louisville, 319 for Lincoln County farmer Mike Broihier and 76 for former state auditor Mary Ann Tobin of Irvington, who ran a limited campaign.

Woodford was one of the few counties to report all votes received and counted so far. Fayette and many other counties are not releasing results until Tuesday, June 30, though a state law requires results of each precinct to be posted at the polling place. Most counties had only one place for in-person voting Tuesday, and also offered absentee voting by machine.

"These totals include all absentees that were received through yesterday, June 23, mailed ballots and in-person voting," Jones said in an email. "By order, we are to continue to count all absentee ballots that are postmarked June 23 up to and including Saturday, June 27. There is also a subsequent addition to totals that will be added with a deadline of Monday, June 29 at 4:30 that includes all ballots that have been cured." She said she had issued 7,475 absentees and had counted 6,878 through Wednesday.

The State Board of Elections, chaired by Ben Chandler of Versailles, says it will release the final totals on Tuesday, June 30.

Many counties released Tuesday's in-person vote, some added the early machine absentees and a few, like Woodford, released all votes received and counted. The Associated Press gives McGrath 28,238 votes, or 43.9%; Booker 24,172, or 37.6%; and Broihier 3,981, or 6.2%. AP estimates that one-third of the expected vote has been counted, but that seems unlikely because more than 880,000 absentee ballots were mailed out. The Washington Post estimates that only 10 percent has been counted. Its statewide count has McGrath with 24,837 votes, or 44.7%; Booker with 21,405, or 38.5%; and Broihier with 3,165, 5.7%.

Owner of historic building has until Oct. 31 to fix it up

116 E. Main St. in January 2019; little has changed.

By Emmanuel Flemister
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The owner of the condemned building at 116 E. Main St. has until the end of October to fix up the rundown landmark or face the likelihood of the city tearing it down.

Woodford County planning and zoning officials had given Ness Alamdari of Lexington until March 30 to correct 10 issues with the building, as cited by Building Inspector Joshua Stevens on Feb. 10.

The deadline was extended to Oct. 31 after a consulting engineer for Alamdari submitted a letter, dated March 17, saying that the structure was stable. That headed off a possible order of demolition.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift told the City Council and the news media March 24, “At the end of this extension, he must have the property approved by a certified engineer, who in turn would be taking liability for the structural integrity of the building.” The property has become a “threat to public safety,” Vandergrift said earlier.

If Alamdari fails to meet these requirements, the process becomes “very burdensome for him,” said Vandergrift. “He would essentially have to start the process over with the Board of Architectural Review,” which set conditions for renovation of the property soon after Alamdari bought it in 2016. “If he fails in these obligations, I will be pushing for condemnation.”

Alamdari is still operating under a building permit that was issued in April 2018 and listed the cost of repairs at $20,000.

The property has been a trouble spot since at least 2006, according to Planning and Zoning Commission records. Vandegrift asked for the Feb. 10 inspection. “As a government, we were very patient with him for a long time,” he said in March.

Alamdari told the Messenger Feb. 19 that Vandergrift wants to tear down the building to make it a parking lot for festivals. Vandegrift denied that.

“I think I took the diplomatic route and probably was erring on the side of patience, just trying to make sure we were working with him,” the  mayor said.

The building was erected in 1898 by the Pilgrim Lodge of the Odd Fellows, an African American men's organization. Local historian Bill Penn, a nearby store owner, said it was last occupied 15 to 20 years ago. It is a landmark in Midway’s African American community, but is also one of the most prominent examples of blighted property in Midway, due to its downtown location and severe condition.

The mayor said he would take no pleasure in demolition of a historic stricture, but “I have been inside the building, and like so many others have watched as time and weather continue to deteriorate it . . . I came to believe that condemnation is the only solution.”

Vandegrift said that if the situation isn’t resolved by Oct. 31, one last alternative to demolition could be putting the property the city’s list of abandoned urban properties, which would be done by the city’s new Code Enforcement Board. The list is due to the City Council for review by Jan 1, 2021. Properties on the list are taxed at a much higher rate.

“If this building didn’t have such historical significance, I would likely disagree with this step,” he said. “But if one last-ditch effort to save this structure is what it takes, then we’ll proceed with a keen eye and a stern voice. We will continue to ensure that the citizens of Midway will not be taken advantage of, but we will also willingly follow the letter of the law in both protecting the rights of owners and the safety of our residents and visitors.”

In-person voting on primary day, June 23, will be at Falling Springs Center or by appointment at courthouse

Falling Springs Center is at 275 Beasley Rd. (Google map)

Woodford County voters who want to cast their ballots in person are being directed to a single countywide polling place at the county's Falling Springs Center in Versailles on primary election day, June 23, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. They can also make appointments to vote at the Woodford County Courthouse during those hours.

“We have had in-person absentee voting at the Courthouse since June 1,” County Clerk Sandy Jones said in a press release. “We want to give Woodford County every option to vote in the primary election and Falling Springs will serve as a centralized polling location for registered voters to cast their ballots on election day.”

Judge/Executive James Kay said in the release, “We want Woodford County to vote. We always have one of the highest voter turnouts in Kentucky, and we want to be umber one. We have never had this many options to vote in any election.”

Kentucky moved its primary election to June 23 under a bipartisan agreement due to the covid-19 pandemic, and expanded the medical excuse for absentee voting to include the risk of infection from the pandemic. All voters were mailed a postcard telling them how to apply for an absentee ballot.

“Voting absentee keeps people safe and saves tax dollars,” Kay said. “The more people that show up on election day, the more risks there are and the more poll workers, cleaning expenses, protective equipment, and county employees we need to run the election.”

Voters have until 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15, to request an absentee ballot online at GoVoteKy.com or by calling the county clerk’s office at 873-8005. Absentee ballots can be mailed in or dropped off at the courthouse. A return envelope is provided and its postage is prepaid.

Woodford County voters can still vote early in person at the courthouse. There is also the option to drive-up, request a ballot and vote curbside at the courthouse.

“We are working overtime to allow voters every opportunity to vote,” Jones said. “We encourage voters not to wait until election day, because early voting is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the courthouse.”

Jones and Kay said they have worked with Falling Springs Executive Director Rich Pictor for weeks to prepare the polling location. Falling Springs will be closed for recreation and arts June 23 so it can perform the sole purpose of serving as a voting precinct. The center is at 275 Beasley Rd.

Mayors and judge-executive talk about the 'new normal,' say it needs to include the wearing of masks

Screenshot of, from top left, County Judge-Executive James Kay, Versailles Mayor Brian Traugott, Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift and Emily Downey, executive director of county Tourism Commission and Chamber of Commerce

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

While excited to reopen their economies, Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, Versailles Mayor Brian Traugott and Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay all urged caution and mask wearing during a virtual town hall Wednesday.

The event on Facebook consisted exclusively of questions provided by Woodford County Tourism Executive Director Emily Downey and residents, and answers from the two mayors and judge-executive.

Are masks required to be worn? The trio highly recommended that people wear masks while at local businesses. Kay said the county is a "free society," but businesses have the right to deny service to anyone not wearing a mask.

Vandegrift said that the more people wear masks, the more positive pressure will be put on those choosing not to. He encouraged business owners and customers to "gently and kindly" remind or request people not wearing masks to put one on.

Kay noted that those with medical conditions such as asthma would not be required to wear masks.

Traugott said he plans to wear a mask when out, in hopes of setting an example for others to follow suit.

Where can people obtain masks? Kay said nearly every business that plans to require the wearing of masks would provide customers with them.

He and Vandegrift added that residents should contact the Woodford County Jail, whose inmates are still making masks, as they did for the Midway mask project.

Vandegrift said Midway still has around 200 masks available, many in children’s sizes.

What will the 'new normal' look like? Even as businesses reopen, things will look a lot different than before, as Woodford County tries to thwart the spread of the coronavirus.

Kay called the early stages of reopening of shops and restaurants a "soft reopening" and told residents to expect paper menus, plastic utensils and other disposable products, and nearly everyone in masks, at restaurants.

Vandegrift said business "will and look different." He said the use of masks, deep cleaning and limits on capacity will be crucial to keeping the spread slowed, and no businesses want to be known for spreading the virus.

"It's going to look a little different, it's going to feel a little different, but it's going to be all right," he said.

Traugott said the use of restrooms will be much different, since they will be cleaned much more frequently, but customers should not fear going out to eat at restaurants. He urged people to stay patient and polite, because businesses and customers will need time to adjust to the new normal.

When will government offices reopen? The county clerk’s office remains closed to in-person business but will still be available over the phone and via email.

The courthouse will remain closed to in-person services until June 1 and then will reopen by appointment only. Everyone inside the building will be required to wear a mask.

Versailles City Hall will not reopen for the time being but may soon offer in-person meetings by appointment. Midway's will not be open for at least a month to see if the reopening of restaurants and shops lead to a surge of covid-19 cases, but appointments can be made for meetings. Dropbox services and phone services will remain available.

When can yard sales return? Both mayors said they were unsure if there's a set a date for return of yard sales in Gov. Andy Beshear's guidelines. (There are not.) Kay encourages using online sale for the time being to prevent any potential spread of the virus.

Are retail spaces still one customer per family? Woodford County will still limit shoppers to one customer per household inside stores, with exceptions for parents with young children or the disabled.

With 1,400 volunteer-made masks handed out, Midway offers remaining 300 to rest of county

The masks are packaged with instructions.

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

In early April, Midway kicked off a volunteer-driven project to make enough cloth masks to give one to anyone in the city free of charge.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said that if the city still had more than 100 masks available May 18, it would offer them to any resident of Woodford County.

Vandegrift said Friday that 1,400 masks have been distributed to Midway residents and 300 will become available to any Woodford County residents Monday.

Vandegrift said Woodford County Jail inmates joined Midway volunteers in mask production so residents of the rest of the county would have a chance to obtain them.

 “I want to thank Midway Makers Market and owner Amy Bowman, not to mention over 60 volunteers who have helped cut and press the fabric, sew the masks and prepare them with instructions for your use.”

Amy Bowman

Bowman, who came up with the idea, told the Messenger, “None of this would have been possible without the hard work of over 50 volunteers who worked in teams to wash fabric, cut, sew, press, sanitize, package and distribute the masks.”

Vandegrift said the city will continue to provide masks to any business in Midway that needs them as businesses begin to reopen.

The mayor emphasized the importance of wearing masks, which is recommended in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s reopening guidelines. “We expect that stores and shops will follow the guidelines,” he said. “After all, they don’t want their business brand to be hurt as being known as a virus farm, and they certainly don’t want to be forced to close again.”

Council endorses $59-per-lot fee to fund 9-1-1; mayor says he will try 6 months without late fees on water bills

Jeremy Emerson, Doris Leigh, Sharon Turner and Jimmie Murphy received "certificates of excellence" from the city Monday night for their service on the Veterans Memorial Committee. Turner and Leigh are former members of the City Council.

To pay for Woodford County's 9-1-1 dispatch service, a $59 fee would be tacked onto the tax bill of each residential property in the county, under a plan endorsed by the Midway City Council tonight.

The council also approved a new contract with John Soper, chair of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority; honored members of the Veterans Memorial Committee, which is turning its functions over to the city; set terms for the new Code Enforcement Board; and approved appointment of a new city attorney. Before the meeting, Vandegrift announced a trial policy of doing away with late fees on water bills.

Dispatch funding: The nonbinding vote on funding the dispatch center came after police and other first responders said they preferred the tract-fee idea to the other finalist, a fee on water meters. Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said the water fee would have to be higher, perhaps $70, to cover the cost, due to the inefficiency of collecting the fee through the county's eight separate water suppliers.

He said commercial and industrial property owners would pay higher rates, yet to be determined, if the three local governments adopt the proposal. The Versailles City Council is scheduled to hear about the issue Tuesday night.

"We've gone through every possible way of funding this," Vandegrift said, adding later that the tract fee appeared to have unanimous support among first responders. "It's not something anybody wants to do, but it's something we have to do."

The dispatch service is now funded by a $3.50 monthly fee on telephone landlines, which are fading out. About 80 percent of the service's calls come from wireless phones, Assistant Versailles Police Chief Mike Murray told the council. He said eight or nine Kentucky counties have shifted to a tract fee to finance dispatch.

Vandegrift said Midway hasn't participated in the funding, but "With our rising standing in this county, we need to step up to the plate. If we want to be included at all tables, we've got to sit at every table."

Water policy: Over the weekend, Vandegrift told the council in an email that he would "try a six month trial run with no late fees on water/sewer bills." His decision follows a council discussion last month about water policies.

"If this becomes permanent, it will cost the water fund approximately $9,600 per year, but with the Higgins Street water line replacement debt retired, we’re still in a cost-saving situation compared to where we were a year ago when still paying the debt," he wrote. "Plus, $9,600 is a fraction of our overall water fund budget and even if we did rely on that income, it’s an unsavory thing to rely on."

Vandegrift said water bills will still be due on the 10th of each month, "but people who don’t pay on time won’t be penalized a fee. They will, however, still end up on the cut-off list if they continue to be late, and the cut-offs will remain on or around the 26th of each month. If too many customers are ending up on the cut off list, or unforeseen ramifications cause an administrative strain, I may end the trial run within the next six months. But, if after 6 months, things go as I hope and expect they will, this will become new permanent policy. After reviewing the council’s comments from our water policy meeting, speaking with city hall staff, and thinking through it over and over, I think this is a worthy effort to help lift some financial burden for those who struggle the most to afford the most basic of necessities."

EDA contract: Soper is both chairman of the EDA and an independent contractor for the three local governments. His new contract is for six months, and gives him a raise. He has been paid $5,720 per month, and will now get $6,002 a month for recruiting and retaining jobs and selling property in the Midway Station industrial and commercial park.

Midway has been the main beneficiary of Soper's recent work, and it will pay a greater share of his compensation: $1,333 per month, up from $858 a month. Vandegrift said that reflects performance, justified by the great increases in the city's occupational tax on wages and net profits, and is "still a good deal" for the city. Midway's share will be 22.2 percent, or two-ninths, of the total. The county will pay four-ninths and Versailles one-third. The contract is in the council meeting packet, here.

Logan Nance, the only council member who voted against industrial zoning of 138 acres between Midway Station and the Brown-Forman whiskey warehouses (which have a conditional-use permit in an agricultural zone) told Soper that they differ on development, "but you're doing a good job at Midway Station." The property's debt is now being paid entirely by EDA, not the city and county.

Soper reported that EDA may be able to develop public access to South Elkhorn Creek through negotiations with AT&T, which needs a construction easement to replace a fiber-optic line that runs along Midway Station's fence with Interstate 64.

Veterans Committee: Vandegrift presented "certificates of excellence" to four members of the Midway Veterans Committee who were present. The committee was formed several years ago to build a memorial in the Midway Cemetery, raised $40,000 for the project, and worked for years to add names to the monument and hold an annual Memorial Day service. The committee's membership has evolved over the years, and it has turned its funds over to the city, which is assuming its functions.

"You can learn a lot about a town by the way it honors its veterans," said Nance, an Army vet who served in Afghanistan. "Those veterans gave so much to ensure that this country, the values that we value, freedom and democracy, are built in stone. And I think it's only fitting that because of your work, their names will forever be etched in granite. So, thank you all very much."

Code enforcement: The ordinance the council passed last month to create a new Code Enforcement Board, to hear appeals of citations for building-code violations, calls for the terms of the first appointees to be staggered so one appointment comes up each year hence. But when Vandegrift and the council filled the board, they didn't specify the terms. Tonight they decided that Jim Starks would serve three years, Jo Blease two years and Dan Roller one year.

Code violations will be cited by an enforcement officer, whom the city has yet to hire. Vandegrift said he is talking with a Scott County building inspector about doing the part-time work and hopes to have his appointment ready for the council's confirmation at its next meeting, Feb. 17.

In response to a question from Council Member John Holloway, the mayor said that the officer would respond to complaints, not cite violations on his own, but that the complaints can be anonymous.

Other business: Council Member Sara Hicks, chair of the cemetery committee, said the foundation for the pavilion at the cemetery is in place, and stakes have been placed for a road to it. She invited members to check it out. Vandegrift said an architect is doing blueprints for the pavilion, based on a design by Holloway.

The council approved three event permits for the Midway Business Association:a St. Patrick's Day celebration Saturday, March 14; a summer-kickoff block party from 5 to 10 p.m. May 23, the Saturday before Memorial Day; and the Fall Festival Sept. 18-20, with Friday needed for setup.

Also approved was Vandegrift's choice of Sharon Gold as the new attorney for the city. She was not present at the meeting. Neither was Council Member Kaye Nita Gallagher.

Vandegrift said after the meeting that Gold will be paid $283 per hour and her associates at the Lexington office of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs will get $185 an hour. Her predecessor, Phil Moloney, got $225 and his associates $145. "Phil’s office hadn’t raised their rates in five years, so that was probably due," Vandegrift said in an email. He added that new City Clerk Cindy Foster's "ability to write ordinances (she’s written two of our most recent) will save us a lot on billable hours."

State and local officials to hold ceremonial ribbon-cutting at new Weisenberger Mill bridge at 12:30 p.m. Friday

Story on event: https://midwayky.blogspot.com/2020/01/state-and-local-officials-celebrate-new.html

The new bridge and its approaches, and the mill and its dam, shone in the late-afternoon sun on Jan. 6. (Photo by Al Cross)

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray and officials from Woodford and Scott counties will celebrate last month's completion of the new Weisenberger Mill bridge with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31.

Those joining Gray will include Judge-Executives James Kay of Woodford County and Joe Pat Covington of Scott County, and state Reps. Joe Graviss of Versailles and Phillip Pratt of Georgetown. Parking will be available at Weisenberger Mills, and cover will be available in case of rain.

Under a longstanding agreement with Scott County, Woodford County has responsibility for the bridge over South Elkhorn Creek at the historic Weisenberger Mill, but the state agreed to be responsible for its replacement several years ago. The state closed the old bridge for safety reasons July 1, 2016, removed it Aug. 30, 2019, and opened the new one Dec. 23.

City Council votes unanimously to crack down on blighted property, create Code Enforcement Board

The building at 116 W. Main St. seems likely to be
an early enforcement target, due to its prominence.

After years of off-and-on deliberations, the Midway City Council has passed ordinances to crack down on lack of property maintenance in the city.

The council voted unanimously Monday night for an updated nuisance ordinance and an ordinance creating a Code Enforcement Board, which will hear cases of property owners who don't correct violations. The board's rulings could be appealed to court.

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift, who has been trying to crack down on blighted properties since he took office five years ago, said he would have board appointments ready for approval at the next meeting, Jan. 21.

Afterward, Vandegrift said he enforcement actions could begin as early as next month, once he decides who to appoint as enforcement officer. He said he will also have that appointment ready for the next meeting.

During discussions of the ordinances, Vandegrift said he would probably appoint Building Inspector Joshua Stevens to enforce the ordinance, but he said Monday night that he is worried that Stevens has "a time crunch," so "I'm looking to get a commitment from someone here in the community." That would be more expensive, but he said, "We're not cash-strapped, so I think we can do it." He said another alternative could be a police officer, because the job is "not a time-consuming position."

Property owners would be given at least 10 days to correct violations. If they don't comply, the case would go to the board, which will have 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 board is the key to enforcement that will stand up in court. The ordinances follow state laws passed in 2016 to give cities more power to crack down on blight.  The code-enforcement ordinance can be downloaded here, and the nuisance ordinance amendment is here.

Vandegrift said during the council meeting that the ordinances had been "a long time coming" and had "hit some roadblocks," including one he hadn't mentioned publicly, the February 2018 death of council member Libby Warfield.

The mayor said he and Warfield "didn't agree on a lot" but she was "a big proponent" of cracking down on blight. To replace her, the council chose Johnny Wilson, who Vandegrift said was more skeptical, as was then-member John McDaniel. So were members Bruce Southworth and Kaye Nita Gallagher, so the mayor's efforts stalled.

In the 2018 council election, Wilson didn't run (which was the understanding when he was appointed), and McDaniel was defeated. Steve Simoff also didn't seek re-election, so new members Stacy Thurman, John Holloway and Logan Nance joined Gallagher, Southworth and Sara Hicks on the council. Early in their term, Thurman, the top vote-getter, called for action, saying "People have been asking."

Vandegrift said after Monday's meeting, "The two years that went by really showed the demand in the community. I'd say that was the driving force."

Midway Station: The council authorized Vandegrift to sign a guarantee of interest payments on the long-term debt of the Midway Station industrial park, which is being converted to a 36-month, 3.25 percent loan from a 20-year bond that matured Dec. 31. The county will again make a similar guarantee, but the two governments seem unlikely to resume such payments because of land sales and development on and near the property.

"It's a performing loan now," said John Soper, chair of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority, which hold title to the land and is the borrower on the loan, which will be held by several local banks, led by Wesbanco. The bond was for more than $6 million and the loan balance is now $2,067,768, according to a cash-flow projection Soper gave the city. It estimated that EDA will have $150,000 available for debt service, which is about 26 months' worth of debt service on projected monthly interest payments of $5,678. The loan principal is being reduced by property sales, at $65,000 per acre for industrial land and more for commercial tracts.

Other business: The council held first reading of a previously discussed budget amendment and approved an event permit for John's Bluegrass Racing Co. to hold the 2020 Iron Horse Half Marathon on the morning of Sept. 20, the Sunday of the Midway Fall Festival. Until this year, the event had been held in October; the route has been adjusted to avoid some problems that arose during this year's race. The route is mapped in the council meeting packet, downloadable here. 

Vandegrift announced that he would call a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14 to discuss the city's water policies. Nance suggested in September that the city no longer cut off water service to customers who don't pay their bills. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday that Monday. All council meetings are open to the public.

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.

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."

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."

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.

Emily Downey of Alltech, sister of Judge Kay and wife of magistrate, chosen to be county's first tourism director

By Dalton Stokes
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The Woodford County Tourist Commission has announced its choice for its first executive director. After interviewing six candidates, five of the commission members unanimously recommended Emily Kay Downey, according to Chair Maria Bohanan.

A press release from Bohanan identified Downey as the North American marketing manager for Alltech, a developer of agricultural products based in Nicholasville, and said she has “extensive experience with the World Equestrian Games” in 2010 and 2014. She is married to William Downey, a magistrate on the Fiscal Court, and is the sister of James Kay, the county judge-executive.

Emily Kay Downey and her brother, County
Judge-Executive James Kay (Twitter photo)

The judge-executive appoints some commission members. Downey's family ties created “perception issues,” Bohanan said in an interview. In a written statement that she said was made on behalf of the commission, she said:

“The tourism commission board followed a meticulous process to individually score each interviewee. Emily Downey had the highest score of all. Her educational background and extensive international marketing experience with Alltech made her the best candidate for the job. Regardless of optics, it would be a disservice not only to the citizens of Woodford County but to all the participants who applied to not pick the best-qualified person. We had the pleasure of interviewing a group of high caliber candidates and feel Ms. Downey will do great things promoting Woodford County.”

A quorum of the commission met to discuss and act on the personnel matter, which constitutes a meeting under the Kentucky Open Meetings Act. However, the commission did not announce any meeting for that purpose, despite receiving a written request from the Midway Messenger to be informed of all its meetings.

The open-meetings law allows public agencies to discuss hiring in private, but requires them to do it in a closed session called during an open meeting. It prohibits taking any final action in private.

Bohanan’s initial press release said that following a “unanimous recommendation from an interview panel, and pending board approval, WCTC recommends Emily Downey as the Woodford County tourism director.” She said five of the six commission members served on the “interview panel,” and agreed on Downey and the press release.

The commission has planned to hire an executive director since it received a large increase in revenue, allowing it to stop using the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce as operational staff.

The county imposes a 3 percent tax on all overnight stays in the county; until the first modern hotel in the county opened last September, the only revenue generated by the tax came from bed-and-breakfasts. Now, with the new Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Versailles, the commission has about $100,000 available to spend.

Eleven people applied for the job of executive director, including Elisha Holt, an events promoter and online contractor who serves as an unofficial member of the commission. She was among the six interviewees, Bohanan said.

The last interviews were held last Friday, and a decision was made by the five members immediately afterward, Bohanan said. They then agreed to issue a press release without holding a public meeting.

Bohanan said, “The whole commission was on the panel if they could make it,” and when the decision was made Friday, she and members Lee Howard, Cortney Niekirk, Ken Kerkhoff, and Aaron Smither were in attendance. She said Neil Vasilakes couldn’t make either interview session.

At the last commission meeting, Vasilakes said, “There are some rumors going around that we’re not following a process and we have a shoo-in person.” Bohanon replied by noting the plan to score candidates and said, “Whatever we do we want it above board.”

She reiterated that point in a telephone interview on Tuesday.  “It’s not confirmed yet; we’ve got to confirm it on Friday,” at the commission’s regular monthly meeting, she said. “That’s why it says it’s a recommendation. It’s not an appointment.”

Asked if she would release the scoring of the candidates, Bohanan said she would prefer not to, and would have to consult attorneys about that.

“I think there could have been perception issues with a few of the candidates we interviewed,” she said. “We put a lot of things in place to ensure that everything was done right. We went above board.”

She added, “Coming out of the gate, we wanted to come our strong. We interviewed six highly talented people, but Emily had the highest scores. . . . She’s amazing . . I’m beyond thrilled.”

Downey holds an executive MBA and completed Alltech’s mini-MBA program through the University of Dublin, according to the press release. The Woodford Sun reported that she plans to keep working for Alltech because the tourism job will be part-time.

Newly flush Tourism Commission welcomes Midway's Cortney Neikirk, discusses how to hire its own staff

Left to right: Cortney Neikirk, Elisha Holt, Maria Bohanan, Neil Vasilakes, Ken Kerkhoff, Aaron Smither and Lee Thomas.

By Dalton Stokes

University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The Woodford County Tourism Commission is looking for its first director, in the wake of a major increase in bed-tax income from the new hotel in Versailles. The seven-member board is vetting 11 candidates, including one who has been meeting with the commission as a virtual member for months.

The commission meeting last Thursday was the last at the Chamber of Commerce office in Versailles and the first for the newly appointed representative of Midway on the commission, Cortney Neikirk. The discussion included the possibility of a mural in Midway like those in Versailles.

Director hiring: With the opening of the first modern hotel in Woodford County, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites, the commission has money to hire its own director rather than contracting with the Chamber. Woodford County imposes a 3 percent tax on overnight stays within the county; until the hotel opened last September, the only tax revenue was from bed-and-breakfast places.

This money generated by this tax increased by $67,005, and the commission has about $101,000 available to spend, according to financial statements at the meeting.

.

As the commission discussed the process for filling the position, Commissioner Neil Vasilakes said, “There are some rumors going around that we’re not following a process and we have a shoo-in person.”

Commission Chair Maria Bohanan said the commission needs a clear process for this so that no questions can be raised about their choice. “Whatever we do,” she said, “we want it above board.”

One of the candidates for the position is Elisha Holt, who coordinates events for the City of Versailles and the Midway Business Association. She is an “ex officio” member of the commission, and will not participate in the selection, Bohanan said during the meeting.

Asked after the meeting about that "ex officio" term, Bohanan said Holt began serving last year, thinking that County Judge-Executive John Coyle had appointed her, but it turned out he had not completed the paperwork before he died, and new Judge-Executive James Kay said Holt could keep serving but has not actually appointed her.

Kay said Monday that he hasn’t appointed Holt because she does not live in Woodford County and is not affiliated with a local hotel or restaurant, which would otherwise qualify her for an appointment.

The commission mostly discussed the criteria matrix that may narrow down the candidates before interviewing. Commissioner Aaron Smither opposed using the matrix, saying they should interview all the candidates and use their better judgement to pick the right person. 

Bohanan’s proposed matrix has five criteria for the job. She proposed that if the candidate meets three of the five criteria, they get an interview. She also said she wants to do the interviews “pageant-style,” using an scoring system in which each member independently rates the candidates.

Bohanan said that would provide a paper trail for both the decision on whom to interview and on who gets picked for the job, in the interest of transparency.

Versailles City Council Member Ken Kerkhoff, another commissioner, voiced the need to expedite the process. He said the person hired ample time to give two weeks’ notice to current employers. Bohanan said that they need someone in place by Nov. 1.

Some commissioners wanted the matrix to be more detailed. After not much agreement on that, the commission agreed to read all 11 applicants’ resumes over the weekend and decide the matrix more later. They set the first interviews for Friday, Sept. 27.

Murals: The commission has commissioned two murals in Versailles, and discussed the potential for a mural in Midway after they. Neikirk said that she could find someone who would be interested in providing a wall and funding, and that she already had someone in mind.

Bohanan said, “Cortney is going to be a valuable resource.”  Neikirk is president of the Midway Business Association and co-owner of 2 Ladies and a Kettle and Midway Sweet Tooth. She replaces Cynthia Bohn of Equus Run Vineyards, who said she lacked the time to serve.

Stephen Sawyer has almost completed the horse-farm mural. (Photo by Dalton Stokes)

A mural being painted on the drug store at the west end of Lexington Street in Versailles by local artist Stephen Sawyer features the names of contributing horse farms on jockey shirts of different designs. Kerkhoff said that the mural was going well and that there were some racing syndicates interested in getting their names on the mural.

He opposed that, noting that the county’s tourism slogan is “Bourbon, wine and bloodlines.” He added, ”You can’t tour a racing syndicate” like you can a horse farm. 

Other Business: The commission made a tentative decision to not buy an ad in the 2020 edition of the Kentucky Travel Guide, partly because the guide will list local accommodations anyway. The commission passed around copies of their ad last from last year and agreed it was lackluster. The ad would cost around $3,600 and it would be a quarter-page ad.

Smither asked why the commission’s money isn’t accruing interest. According to the minutes of a previous meeting, it is “spending conservatively until they have a cohesive plan of action put together.” He agreed to look into money-market options and get back to the commission at its next regular meeting, which will be held at the Versailles Municipal Building at 9 a.m. Oct. 17.

The commission plans to establish a still hasn’t decided where to put the visitor center but is weighing two options: at the Gathered Mercantile at Amsden on Nov. 1, Bohanan saidand the Historical Society. The Gathered Mercantile offered to create space for brochures, an office, shared wi-fi and labor for $400 per month. The Historical Society offered space rent-free, but it would not be available for another year.

(The paragraph above has been corrected after publication.)

More videos and photos from the 'pick' of the Weisenberger Mill bridge

This video was taken from just above the mill dam. For the completion of the "pick," as the move was called, go to Midway Messenger reporter Dalton Stokes' story, below or here.

Crane operator Joe Fisher (yes, really) of Taylorsville fished as he waited for other workers to finish preparations for the pick. He said he had fished in all manner of waters, never in Elkhorn Creek, but when he visited the site the day before, he said to himself, "I'm going to make a few casts." In ideal conditions, he caught five largemouth and one smallmouth bass, all too small to keep.

Jay Weisenberger waited at his vantage point for the work to begin. His family has operated a mill at the site since 1865; the current building was erected in 1913, partly with stone from the original mill. It is no longer directly powered by water; water flowing from the creek behind the dam drives a generator that contributes to the electric power used to run the mill.
Below, a wider shot taken at about the same time, showing the crane, the mill, the dam and the creek.

After 84 years, there is no bridge across South Elkhorn Creek at Weisenberger Mill; new one to be done by May

Story and Vimeo video by Dalton Stokes
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

After six years of debates and preparations, the Weisenberger Mill bridge was removed from its moorings with a 550-ton crane at around 11 a.m. Friday.

A handful of spectators gathered to watch the crane lift the 84-year-old bridge over the corner of the mill and onto a trailer bed. Many spectators were part of the Weisenberger family who had come to see the bridge that they had known all their lives to be lifted and hauled away.

Among them was Phil Weisenberger, who manages the family-owned mill. He said the bridge “had always been there, and it was strange to leave, but time marches on.”

Doug Elam, a neighbor to the bridge on the Woodford County side of South Elkhorn Creek, said  “It Looked like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with a balloon” as the crane slowly swung the bridge through the air on a sunny morning.

Crane operator Joe Fisher visits with Kristey and Susan
Weisenberger after "picking" the bridge. (Photo by Al Cross)

The crane that "picked" the bridge, as engineers say, was from Sterett Crane and Rigging, based in Owensboro, and manned by crane operator Joe Fisher of Taylorsville, who caught a few bass in the creek before his part of the job began.

He said the crane measured the bridge’s weight at 52,300 pounds,  much heavier the 37,000-pound estimate given by Roger Wade, a structural engineer for Louisville Paving and Construction, the main contractor on the project. He said there were more asphalt and probably less rusted steel than he estimated.

The job wasn’t as easy as just picking up the bridge with the crane, putting on the truck bed and hauling it off. The tractor-trailer was too long to turn around, so the tractor and trailer were separated, and while the tractor turned around, Fisher and workers flipped the trailer around. Kentucky Utilities also had to de-energize overhead power lines for safety.

The bridge is to be rebuilt by May 2020 as most in the community requested, as a pony truss one-lane bridge much like the original. It was argued by some of the community in the decision-making process that the bridge should stay a one-lane bridge as opposed to a two-lane bridge to force southbound drivers to slow down for the sharp curve on the Woodford County side.

The bridge has been marked for either renovation or replacement since 2010, and required public meetings and studies because it is a state project. Woodford County is responsible for the bridge, but the state assumed control in return for the county doing some work for the state several years ago. Before any decision could be made, the damage from heavy trucks forced state engineers to close the bridge on July 1, 2016.

When the work was done, the view from above the mill dam looked very different than it had since 1935. (Photo by Al Cross)