Ohio County Times

Volunteer departments

face financial challenges

There was a time when the county’s fire departments depended on bake sales and yard sales to generate revenue to buy necessary field and training equipment.

Rockport’s Chief Jeff Scott, a volunteer firefighter for 28 years, said his 15-member department keeps a lean budget but manages to scrape by without fundraisers.

“We did a little bit of everything to raise money but we never did more than $500,” Scott said. “It came to a point that we put in so many hours a year as firefighters, the training involved, we decided it just wasn’t worth it anymore. It may be the wrong attitude to have but we figured if we couldn’t get the money through training, the (fiscal) court and (fire) dues then maybe we shouldn’t survive.”

County attorney looking into unapproved paid sick time

More issues have surfaced over the final days of the previous judge-executive’s administration prior to leaving office in January.

At last Tuesday’s Ohio County Fiscal Court meeting, questions were raised over sick days paid to former financial officer Carolyn Johnson and former office clerk Teresa Clark prior to leaving office in January.

County Attorney Greg Hill was authorized to take “legal steps” against Johnson who received $4,842.50, amounting to 325 hours of sick pay at $14.90 per hour, and Clark who was paid $1,478.56 for 144.25 hours of sick pay at $10.25 per hour.

County records show both checks were issued on Dec. 29, 2006.

According to the county’s administrative code, employees can receive up to three weeks of vacation pay before leaving a county job but “sick days are lost upon termination of employment.”

Scout’s Eagle project

inspired by niece’s

battle with cancer

When it comes to 15 year old boys, most spend their free time playing video games and watching television.

Dakota Hall, however, a dedicated Boy Scout has been using his spare time to raise money for a children’s hospital as part of his quest to become an Eagle Scout.

Hall was required to complete a service project in order to receive his Eagle Scout ranking. After watching his 4-year-old niece, Skylier Barnes, battle leukemia for two years, Hall decided to donate money to Kosair Children’s Hospital, where Barnes had been treated, for his task.

“They took such good care of Skylier there,” Hall said.

Hall organized a volleyball tournament, a silent auction, and a monetary collection at Save-A-Lot. Starting in August of 2006 and ending the day before Christmas Eve, Hall, with help from the Boy Scouts of Troop 173, raised $2,004.50 to be given to the children’s hospital in Skylier Barnes’ name.

Celebrate the Child

scheduled for April 28

Kids of all ages will go wild – in a great way – at Celebrate the Child 2007. They’ll be exploring the world of animals and creative arts at the 14th annual event to be held on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ohio County High School.

With the theme “Go Wild – Celebrate the Child” the event will provide lots of exciting activities, but will also focus on the 40 Developmental Assets that help young people to grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

Some of the planned events include a Madcap Puppet performance of “Thistlewig’s Traveling Story Wagon,” the Mesker Park Zoo’s Animal Encounter program, and activities from the Kentucky State Fish and Wildlife and Kentucky Museum Arts and Crafts.

Boy Scout Dakota Hall stands with his 4-year-old niece Skylier Barnes and Christine Mueller, a representative from Kosair Children’s Hospital during a special check presentation ceremony Monday night at the Hartford United Methodist Church. Hall raised money for his Eagle Scout project in the name of his niece who battled leukemia for two years. Hall collected over $2,000, donating it to the Kosair, where his niece was treated.