Judge/Executive

Greg Rankin

Address:
109 N. Main St. Ste. 7
P.O. Box 439
Monticello, KY  42633

(606) 348-4241 - Office
(606) 348-6647 - Fax

E-mail:
waynecountyjudge@windstream.net

Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 8 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

From the Judge’s Desk
June 2009

The last several months have been a busy time here in the Judge-Executive’s office.  We have been preparing the budget for the upcoming year and taking care of all the day to day items that require our attention.  We also have been working extremely hard to provide new and improved services and programs for our citizens while operating more efficiently.  Our programs are operating with fewer tax dollars than before, yet we are providing new and expanded services to all our citizens.  We have also been working diligently to bring new economic opportunities to our community that will benefit all our residents.

The country, as a whole, is seeing one of the weakest economies in most of our lifetimes.  Many people, across all industries and states, are unemployed and many towns and counties are struggling to simply pay the bills and provide basic services.  Here in Wayne County, we are not immune to the struggles other places are having.  Many people are without work and others are fearful the weak national economy may affect their companies and their jobs as well.  We are not sitting idly by however.  Your county government is working every day to bring economic opportunity to our residents, even in these unprecedented times.  While many other places are struggling to provide basic services to their residents, we are providing new and expanded services for less money than before and spending fewer of your tax dollars.  We are also working with several companies to bring new jobs and opportunity to our residents.  Wayne County will continue to be the place people want to live and we will have increased economic growth and opportunities into the future.

One major new employer in our community will be the Otter Creek Facility that is currently under construction.  Once completed, the facility will employ at least 50 people and provide needed jobs to our residents.  Here in the office, we are working closely with the group to help administer some of the grant funds that made the facility a reality.  We are also working closely with Senture and were successful in helping obtain funding that will provide sewer service for the building.  With the service, the company will be able to operate in compliance with all regulations while employing the large numbers of people needed once they become fully operational. 

Another way we are working to provide economic opportunity to our residents is through education and matching people with the opportunities that are available.  Our first ever EMT training course was recently completed and several local people successfully passed training that will allow them to work as EMT’s for any ambulance service in the state.  This course will also allow us to employ more local people in our service simply because we will have more people trained and eligible to fill any open positions that might become available.  By hiring local people, we can keep taxpayer dollars in our county and also improve the quality of our service.

Another economic development strategy is to increase the total number of people coming to the region.  We are constantly looking for new ways to increase those numbers and the amount of money visitors spend when they are here.  Soon we will begin a new marketing campaign using state funds to promote our county in other media markets for the first time ever.  The amount of money visitors spend on Lake Cumberland has a direct impact on our county’s general fund.  Wayne County receives a portion of every dollar spent on the lake, so the more visitors we have and the more money they spend, the more money we collect to provide services to our local people.  Recently, we worked with the Chamber of Commerce to help promote Springfest and then with the Lake Cumberland Association to promote the first ever Lake Cumberland Grand Prix.  Both these events were a success and a way to provide entertainment for our local residents and also to bring more visitors to our community.  By bringing in more visitors, earlier in the year, our county benefits more from the added money visitors put into our local economy. 

Economic development doesn’t happen quickly, but gradually, over time, new opportunities present themselves to a community.  We are making sure that Wayne County will be ready to take advantage of not only the opportunities we have now, but also every opportunity that becomes available in the future.  We recently had a member of our staff pass the program to become an Economic Development Finance Professional.  Even during these very difficult times, we know that Wayne County has a very promising future ahead. 

Part of that future includes the many services and programs that county government provides.  In recent months, we have been able to provide new services and expand existing services to better meet demand.  We are continually looking for activities for  people in our community.  Early this year, through the Judge-Executive’s office, we sponsored free open gym nights at the Aspire Center.  The gym was open to people of all ages, at different times, to play basketball in a safe environment.  Each week we had more and more participants with a total of over 200 people throughout the several weeks we played.  Another program for residents of all ages is the Free Swim Nights at the Aspire Center Pool.  Your county government will support this program again this year and into the future as another recreational opportunity for people to enjoy.

One program that has expanded over the past several months is our recycling program.  The number of people using the service continues to grow almost daily and thousands of pounds of materials are being recycled by Wayne County residents every week.  Our second ever Electronics Recycling event recently concluded, and over the two days, more than 35 pallets of electronics were collected.  As a result, all that material will be recycled and none of it will go into a landfill.  That is a great accomplishment by the residents of this county.  Our large household items/white goods pick up is also available everyday throughout the year.  If you have large items you need to dispose of, just call the County Judge’s office and we will get them picked  up for you.

Here in the Judge’s office, we are all hard at work to provide a government that works for you.  If you have comments or questions, feel free to stop by the office anytime. 

Also, don’t forget the Wayne County Farmer’s Market will be opening soon.  We hope to see you there.

Only the sitting Wayne County Judge/Executive can appoint a Wayne County Captain Commission.  

The reason for bestowing the honor of a Wayne County Captain on any particular individual is for strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others.  This commission shows the ability to place others above self.

Trent Vincent

On Sunday May 27, 2007 Gary Collett Sr. of Nicholasville and Lisa Lovely of Morehead were boating on Lake Cumberland in the vicinity of Jamestown Marina.

Lisa Lovely fell from the boat, unbeknown to Mr. Collett who had the boat in idle.  When he realized that Ms. Lovely was not in the boat, he immediately turned off the key.  He went to investigate and saw her at the rear of the boat, in the water.  She was conscious but injured.  The prop had hit her leg.  He tried to pull her from the water and was unable to do so.  By holding her, he was able to keep her chin above water but she was having difficulties not taking in water as the wake would submerge her head.

Mr. Collett saw an approaching boat, let go of one of Ms. Lovely’s hands so that he could motion for help.  By waving his arms and screaming for help he was able to alert a passing boat to help in their plight.

Trenton Vincent did not hesitate as he saw what was going on.  He dove immediately into the water and tried to assist in removing Ms. Lovely from the water.  But both Mr. Vincent and Mr. Collett were unable to remove her.  Mr. Vincent dove to see why and discovered that Ms. Lovely’s swim suit skirt was entangled in the propeller of the boat.  Coming up for air, and diving again, Mr. Vincent was able to free Ms. Lovely from the propeller.  The gentlemen lifted Ms. Lovely into the boat and Mr. Collett wrapped her legs, wounded from the propeller with towels, as Mr. Vincent drove them to the Jamestown Marina.  Ms. Lovely was air lifted to UK Hospital where she stayed for five (5) days.

In a phone call from Gary Collett Sr. to the Wayne County Judge’s Office it was stressed that Lisa Lovely would not be alive today, if not for the selfless and courageous acts of Trenton Vincent.

Sister Barbara Walsh

Amid laughter and tears, Wayne County said goodbye to Sister Barbara Walsh, during a special reception in her honor on Saturday, July 19, 2008.  Hundreds of people stopped by the Extension Office that afternoon to share their memories and well wishes with Sister Barbara, who after 26 years of service in Wayne County decided to return home to Massachusetts.
At the front of the meeting room, a slide show ran throughout the afternoon, featuring photographs of Sister Barbara as she ran her School on Wheels, taught Bible School, headed the music program at St. Peter's Catholic Church, and worked with Helping Hands volunteers in local homes. “Thank you, Sister Barbara, from Wayne County, Kentucky” was displayed across the screen.

That's what many people came by to do, to thank the Catholic sister who put a face on Catholic outreach efforts in this area soon after she arrived here in 1982. With her School on Wheels, she took preschool education, which was not offered in Wayne County at that time, to the homes in the hills and hollows.
“Sister Barbara has touched many, many lives and she has brought the love of Christ to all of them,” stated Deacon Tom Wagner with St. Peter's.  Sister Ann Kernan, who heads the Mountain Moms program, talked about her friend during the reception, noting Sister Barbara's life of service to others.

Twenty-six years ago, Barbara's journey brought her 1000 miles away from home.  She brought her whole self that middle-aged woman with more energy than a 20 year old, said Sister Ann.  St. Peter's Catholic Church made a special presentation to Sister Barbara, giving her an antique Kentucky quilt to take back home to Massachusetts.

County Judge-Executive Greg Rankin was among speakers during the ceremony held in Sister Barbara's honor and he presented her with the Wayne County Captain's Award, which is the highest honor given by county government.  “This is for people who have done extraordinary things,” stated Rankin, as he made the presentation. “Thank you for everything out have done for this community. We will miss you greatly.”  Sister Barbara was also presented a certificate naming her an Honorary Kentucky Colonel on behalf of Mayor Kenneth Catron.

Stewart Phillips, the retired director of Project Beam, said that Sister Barbara has been an example of a shining star.  After several emotional presentations, Sister Barbara took the podium. “ I have lived here longer than I lived with many family,” she said. “This has become home. The School on Wheels has brought into areas of this community I would never have gone.”  Sister Barbara has stressed that she is not retiring and that she will
continue working. Sister Barbara plans to continue to teach Latinos after returning to Massachusetts.

”My 26 years here has been a heaven. I love the rural area,” said Sister Barbara. “I think it will be a bittersweet moment leaving this beautiful country God has given us.” 

Article taken from The Wayne County Outlook.