Lawrence County Fiscal Court Honors Two People

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — Lawrence County Fiscal Court approved a resolution to add Yvonne Jordan to the Country Music Highway during their meeting on Tuesday and to name Blaine Community Center after Cratis Williams thereby honoring both.

Lawrence County Judge Executive Phillip Carter asked the court to add Yvonne Jordan to the Country Music Highway saying she had sung with some famous people and that it would be nice to add her.

The fiscal court voted unanimously to add her name to the highway.

Lawrence County Tourism Director Wes Kingsmore appeared before the court to ask them to name the Blaine Community Center after Cratis Williams.

Kingsmore explained that he is “Mr. Appalachia,” and that he is considered the father of Appalachian Studies and he wanted people to not be ashamed of their dialect.

Williams was born in his grandfather’s log house on Caines Creek in Lawrence County. He was educated in the one-room Hillside Elementary School there and later boarded with relatives in Louisa to attend high school, graduating in 1928. He attended Cumberland College 1928-1929 and then taught in one-room schools on Caines Creek from 1929-1933, while taking classes at Morehead State Normal School and Teachers College and the University of Kentucky, where he completed his B.A. degree in 1933. After which he moved to Baline to teach high school science and English, according to information published on the University of South Carolina, College of Arts and Sciences.

Kingsmore also asked the fiscal court for approval to use the Blue Trail, saying they would like to do a Trail Day with a mud run and other activities.

The fiscal court unanimously approved the request.

The fiscal court also unanimously accepted the 2023 financial statement and the 2023 Excess Fees for the Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Chuck Jackson said the amount was pending the audit.

The fiscal court unanimously accepted Lawrence County Clerk, Chris Jobe’s 2023 financial statement and 2023 Excess Fees which he said was $42,472.

The fiscal court unanimously approved the second reading of the fire fee ordinance.

At the December 2023 meeting, Barry Webb, President of the Board of Directors at Webbville Volunteer Fire Department, approached the fiscal court, on behalf of the fire departments requesting a $10 increase of the fire fee.

County Clerk, Chris Jobe, who is also a fire chief for Fallsburg Volunteer Fire Department explained that the ordinance regarding the fire fee had been implemented in Carter’s first term as County Judge in 2003, and that it had never been raised.

“I make a motion we accept it,” Blackburn said. The motion was seconded by Magistrate Dave Pinson, with all in favor.

The court unanimously approved the second reading of the ACO Ordinance change that affects the cost of tags.

The fiscal court also unanimously agreed to advertise for Bids on Surplus Trucks.

The court was also filled with the Lawrence County Superintendent, Robbie Fletcher, FFA students and leaders and Carpentry students and their teacher.

Each of the students spoke to the court and shook their hands, then thanked them for all they do for the school and offered to do anything to help if they need it.

“The local carpenters union recognizes these students,” Lawrence County Carpentry Vocational School Instructor, Charles Bradshaw said. “This is just a stepping stone for their future.”

Fletcher also offered his thanks for all the fiscal court has done to help them do more for their students.

Jobe also reminded the people present that when they buy an AG Tag, and donate $10, half of the money generated is returned to local councils and chapters, so leaders in the community can use those funds to cover the cost of 4-H and FFA camps and other leadership programs for the youth.

In other business, the fiscal court approved the minutes from the January Special meeting; the treasurer’s report; budget amendments; bills and the treasurer’s request.