Mayor Rick Embry kicked-off Monday night’s Leitchfield City Council meeting with a few thoughts on how the community is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
“It would be neglectful of me not to say something about the coronavirus and how it’s affected our community,” Embry said. “I think so far we’ve done very well. But I know that people have children at home, and people off of work are staying at home and they are getting very anxious. But, the advice of our governor, our president, our community leaders is stay home if you don’t have to go. Don’t go to Walmart unless it’s a necessity. Don’t get out and mingle with other people, and keep a safe distance between you and those around you. With that you can protect yourself, you can protect your family, and maybe you can get through this without injury or sickness on your part or your family’s part.”
Fill out census forms
Noting that the U.S. Census, originally scheduled to be conducted during the first part of April, has been delayed, Embry encouraged citizens who receive a census questionnaire in the mail to respond, as it is vitally important for the city to have an accurate population count because of the state and federal dollars at stake.
“Those numbers are so important to the next 10 years of Leitchfield and Grayson County. Every person needs to be counted,” he said.
Golf carts
City Attorney Earlene Wilson has amended the existing golf cart ordinance, now specifying that the $25 yearly fee to register a golf cart within the city limits be changed from a fiscal year (which ends on June 30) to a calendar year.
If the amended ordinance in approved, in July 2020, people who own and operate a golf cart on city streets will pay a $12.50 fee (which will keep them in good standing for the remainder of the calendar year), and then in January 2021, pay the $25 fee which will keep the operators in good standing until January 1, 2022.
Embry said about a dozen people operate golf carts in the city limits.
The council heard the first reading and will hear the second reading and vote on the matter at the next regularly scheduled city council meeting.
Cottrell replaced by Fentress
Monday night’s meeting marked the first city council meeting for Dennie Fentress as a council member, as he was selected to serve the remainder of Raymond “Tooty” Cottrell’s term, ending on December 31, 2020.
Cottrell stepped down due to a health issue that requires surgery, but he remains on the 2020 Primary Election ballot. He said his health issue will be resolved by the end of the year.
Fentress previously served as Leitchfield City Attorney from January 2020 until August 2020.
Council practicing social distancing
The only council members physically attending the meeting were Fentress and Kelly Stevenson, who both donned masks. Councilmen Billy Dallas, Harold Miller and Clayton Miller were present via cellphone hookup.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
