Fiscal Court Recap: Edwin Vincent Day Proclamation Signed

Court Moves Forward For County's Participation In Opioid Settlement Agreement

A recent Voice photo of Edwin Vincent at a local dedication.

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Edmonson County Fiscal Court voted to accept a proclamation naming November 12, 2021 "Edwin D. Vincent Day" in the county at today's meeting.

Vincent, a local resident and veteran of the U.S. Air Force, was recently named State Commander of the VFW.

Vincent enlisted in the United States Air Force in June, 1965 and after 18 years he attained the rank of Chief Master Sargent, a rank restricted to the top one percent of the United States Air Force Enlisted Corp. During his 30 year enlistment, he served in 8 states and 5 foreign countries before retiring in 1995.
 
In 2006, he joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars where he developed the Flag Etiquette Training Program to be presented to all 4th grade students in Edmonson County, now in its 7th year. With the assistance of the Post Auxiliary, he revitalized the V.F.W. Post 6937 Burial Honors Program with new uniforms, weapons, and service flags for each branch of service.
 
After joining the V.F.W. he has served as the Post Commander, District Commander, State Surgeon, State Judge Advocate, State Junior Vice Commander, State Senior Vice Commander and now the Department of Kentucky State Commander.

The proclamation was signed by Edmonson County Judge Executive Wil Cannon and passed unanimously by magistrates.

State Representative Michael Meredith was presented the 2021 County Advocate Award by KACo during the virtual meeting, as we reported earlier.

Sheriff Shane Doyle reported that his office had made several arrests on felony indictment warrants since the last fiscal court meeting along with three felony drug arrests last week.

Jailer Report: Judge Cannon reported 29 county inmates were currently housed at Hart County Jail.

A.B. Webb, Director of Parks and Rec reported on last week's Halloween At The Park, which brought out the biggest crowd ever. He said the horseshoe shelter at Chalybeate Park saved the event because of the rainy weather. He also said the soccer program concluded for this year, also with another record group of participants. Youth basketball is about to be underway and that program is also seeing record numbers with 155 players signed up. He added that the ECHS Tennis Team is now using the courts at Chalybeate. He concluded his report by saying park personnel is working now to winterize all local parks.

Tourism: County Tourism Director Vanessa Ulm said she was excited to see the Tourism Office's social media accounts growing, which is crucial for gaining attention here in the county. She encouraged everyone at the meeting to follow their Facebook and Instagram accounts. She also said that painting has been approved for the Hall of Honor in the county courthouse. She also discussed a Blue Water Trail signage opportunity, which will show launch points for boating and kayaking. The area has two Blue Water Trails: Dennison Ferry to Green River Ferry, and Green River Ferry to three other access points in Brownsville. “This is a huge opportunity for tourism,” Ulm said. 

The court also voted to approve an email sent to FEMA which expresses frustration with county personnel requirements to inspect local damages. According to County Treasurer Tammi Willhite, the county does not have the manpower to provide the inspections that FEMA has required at the schedule of FEMA, and requested FEMA to provide assistance with these inspections.

County Attorney Greg Vincent updated the court on the county's participation of KY's $460 million Opioid Settlement Agreement. Vincent has been working on resolution EC-125, which states that Edmonson County will agree to the ways that whatever money received from the settlement can be spent. Vincent said he did not have any actual figures yet. The resolution was passed by the court.

The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 22nd at 9AM and will be held virtually.