Fiscal Court: Grant For Lincoln Sub-Station Turned Down

Darren Doyle, story
Judge Executive Wil Cannon read a letter to the fiscal court that denied the county grant money that would have been used to help fund a new sub station in the Lincoln community. The station would have provided better access to firefighting services in the large area. It would also help by bringing insurance rates down. 

Cannon said the grant was denied for a number of reasons and that it was a difficult grant for in which to qualify. He added that the county was encouraged to file again when available, as oft times candidates are reconsidered for these types of grants in the future.

In other fiscal court news, Parks and Rec Coordinator Greg Hudson reported that new laminate flooring had been installed in the upstairs facility at Chalybeate Park. He said it looks like a completely new place. He also noted that Bee Spring Park had been littered with lots of debris, trash and the like, but it had undergone a complete clean up and was looking good.

The court also approved a small pay increase for the courthouse cleaning supervisor, Debbie Russell. Judge Cannon said that she had been asked back in March or April to add the cleaning of the County Clerk's office to her job duties, but with no increase in pay. Clerk Alexander said Mrs. Russell did a fantastic job in not only his office, but the entire courthouse. The court agreed to increase her pay by an additional sixty-four cents per hour. 

Judge Cannon also informed the court that the Warren County Coroner's office had requested that Edmonson County Fiscal Court take responsibility for the burial expenses of a man that recently died at the Medical Center in Bowling Green but had an Edmonson County address. Apparently, the deceased David Maioli, who was originally from Colorado, had moved in with a friend here in the county.

Cannon said the coroner explained that the man qualified for what is known as a "pauper's funeral," which is a funeral held for an individual that has no known kin or assets. Cannon said state law requires county government to cover costs of pauper's funerals, which includes mortuary service and burial. Cannon said the way the law is written could be subject to different interpretations, but he felt like since the man had an Edmonson County address, it wasn't Warren County's responsibility.

Cannon said both local funeral homes had priced the most basic of funeral services, the road department would possibly dig the grave if the location met standards, but that the place for burial would have to be researched. He said there was an actual pauper's cemetery in the county, but was owned privately, and the owner would have to grant permission for burial. At most, Cannon said the county could be looking at a $1500 cost if a burial crew would have to be hired and if a cemetery plot had to be purchased.

Rhonda Clemmons reported that the Room and Rec Tax board had received a $5000 payment from Park Mammoth for back taxes, and that the ordinance and pending agreement with the resort was still being worked out. She also reported that Blue Holler Off Road Park was currently behind on their taxes. She said the park had been sent several late notices.

County Clerk Kevin Alexander reported that the issue of re-opening the Wingfield Firehouse for voting purposes would hopefully be voted on in January. He also said there was an issue where many Rocky Hill residents don't feel comfortable with voting at the Community Church at Cedar Springs, but logistically, the district was limited with other options. He said the entire purpose of the Election Board was to do everything possible to make voting easier for Edmonson County residents, and that was what it intended to do.

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