Beshear brings money during Lawrence County visit

Gov. Andy Beshear presented a ceremonial check to the city of Louisa for renovations to Louisa Fire Station No. 1 during an event Monday at the Lawrence County Community Center. The check was one of four presented during Beshear’s appearance. BSN photo/Brenda Hardwick

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

The Lawrence County High School Color Guard did a great job in presenting their colors during Gov. Andy Beshear’s visit to Lawrence County on Monday. BSN photo/Lilly Adkins

LOUISA — Gov. Andy Beshear presented a total of $2,465,842 in four ceremonial checks to Lawrence County during an event Monday at the Lawrence County Community Center.

During the event, Beshear was greeted at the entrance of the Lawrence County Community Center with a flag display from the Louisa Volunteer Fire Department, while members of Lawrence County High Schools Color Guard waited inside for his arrival.

Beshear said he was in Louisa to make investments.

“All of this funding will improve the health and safety of Kentuckians and nothing is more important to me than that,” Beshear said. “Whether it’s through pedestrian safety near a school, new and improved stations for our first responders or providing clean water to unserved communities, these projects are moving Kentucky forward.”

The first check, in the amount of $98,842, was presented to the city of Louisa for the Louisa Middle School sidewalk project, which will include a new pedestrian and bike path and sidewalk that will connect local schools, athletic facilities, healthcare providers and neighborhoods.

The project will stretch nearly four-tenths of a mile at 10 feet wide, beginning at Louisa Middle School as an asphalt bike/pedestrian path, running along Ky. 644 to its intersection with Meadowbrook Lane, where the path will transition to a 5-foot wide sidewalk on the north side of Meadowbrook to its intersection with Gene Wilson Blvd. and along Gene Wilson to Pearl Street.

“I love our city,” Louisa Mayor Harold Slone said. “I’d like to thank you, and thanks to all who assisted in getting these grants.”

Lawrence County School Superintendent Dr. Robbie Fletcher told Beshear he thanked him for recognizing the kids when he came in, because it meant a lot.

“We have lots of kids walking, and this will be much safer,” Fletcher said. “When Thomas Bradley approached us on this project, we were excited for the opportunity to provide a safer route for students that walk to and from our middle and high schools. By adding these sidewalks, students will be farther away from the traffic of Rt. 644, and safety is always our top priority. You know Governor, every time you come to Lawrence County, you bring a check. Governor, you know you’re still welcome if you don’t bring a check.”

The second ceremonial check was presented to the city of Louisa in the amount of $750,000 for renovations to the Louisa Volunteer Fire Station located at 215 N. Main Street.

Beshear noted that the Louisa Volunteer Fire Department is 50 years old.

Renovations will include new meeting and training rooms for firefighters; replacing dilapidated garage doors; installing a new roof; installing a new ceiling; and addressing other general maintenance issues.

“The current station was built in 1972 and has served the citizens ever since,” Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston said. “Today, the station is in need of a lot of attention. For example, when it rains outside, it rains inside and the roof is in very bad condition. The office area walls are crumbling. It’s practically falling in. With the funding that we are receiving today, the firefighters and the citizens will be blessed with a revitalized and modern firehouse that will last for many years. Thanks to Mayor Slone for working with Governor Beshear to secure this funding.”

Slone said the “awards today make Louisa a safer place to live and work.”

“These projects both improve walkability for our youth and public safety for our entire community,” he said. “Thank you to the ones that provided assistance to me in this process.”

Beshear presented the Blaine Volunteer Fire Department with a ceremonial check for $750,000 to build a new fire station.

“The Blaine Fire Station was destroyed in 2013,” Beshear said. “The $750,000 will be used to build a new station and 456 households will be safer for it.”

Since the destruction of the previous fire station, the Blaine Volunteer Fire Department has relied on staging its trucks and equipment at various locations throughout the district.

The funds will be used to help construct a new fire station at 999 Highway 469 in Martha that will include two vehicle bays, a kitchenette, a training and meeting room, an office and restroom facilities.

The primary service area of the station covers approximately 119 square miles and 1,456 households, a release from the Governor’s office said.

Blaine Fire Chief Jeremy Wheeler became emotional at the presentation.

“It’s hard to talk when you get that much money,” Wheeler said. “It’s a game changer. Thank you.”

In a release issued by the governor’s office, Wheeler added that they will be able to store more of their equipment on site as well as add more equipment in the future.

“After our old station burnt down, the current building isn’t able to house all the demanding needs of our station,” Wheeler said. “After working on this grant for several years, I am very excited to see it come to reality.”

Beshear presented the final ceremonial check for $867,000 in Cleaner Water Program funds to the Big Sandy Water District to help install over four miles of new water lines that will serve 58 households with no access to clean drinking water.

The new lines will run along Ky 1690, Pleasant Valley, Meades Branch, Jude Hollow, Brushy Road, Oakley Road and Nelson Road, the release said.

State Sen. Phillip Wheeler pointed out when he spoke that Lawrence County was the only county that hadn’t lost population in the last Census.

“I am grateful for the Beshear administrations efforts to realize the vision of the General Assembly by providing appropriated funds to secure more services to rural areas, particularly, fire service and water,” Wheeler said. “These funds will go a long way toward ensuring that the city of Louisa and the city of Blaine can protect their residents and continue to make Lawrence County an area of continued growth in eastern Kentucky.”

State Rep. Scott Sharp of Ashland said that the announcement of funds is a major win for Lawrence County and the investment reaffirms their commitment to supporting those who continue to protect neighbors.

“I’m thankful for the General Assembly’s commitment to providing significant resources in our community,” Sharp said. “The new sidewalk will help ensure the safety of our children at Louisa Middle School and we are also providing reliable access to clean drinking water in unserved areas for the first time.

Big Sandy Water District Chairman Paul Thomas said the funding will help install water lines to serve people who aren’t currently served by public water.

Lawrence County Judge-Executive Phillip Carter also thanked Beshear and his senior advisor, Rocky Adkins, as well as the Department for Local Government and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for the grants.

“The grant for the new Blaine Fire Department will help serve the citizens in the Blaine area and be a wonderful and much needed asset,” Carter said. “The water line grant will help serve our citizens with clean water that they are in desperate need of.”

“This is a great day for Lawrence County. I had the great privilege of representing this county for 28 of my 30 years and it is great to be here with the Governor to make these investments,” Adkins said. “This is a great community and a growing community.”