Mayor Harold Miller opened Monday night’s Leitchfield City Council meeting with two prepared statements.
The first statement pertained to an Artificial Intelligence (AI) data center, while the second statement was regarding a renovation of Firefighter’s Memorial Park that’s not only been discussed over the last several months by the council but at least two bids have been received on the proposed project.
Miller’s opening statement regarding erroneous social media rumors concerning an AI data center being brought to Leitchfield
“I want to take just a couple minutes of your time and make a statement. There’s been a lot of confusion lately, lot of talk on social media. Firstly, I’ve gotten several emails recently about AI. Don’t know who started that, don’t know where it got started. I have not heard anything about AI in Grayson County. Not one word. The only time I’ve ever talked about it any at all, and it was very, very little; (councilman) Tim (Bocock) and I’ve discussed it a time or two.
“But as far as an AI, something coming to Leitchfield or Grayson County, I know nothing about that. I feel like if Judge (Kevin) Henderson knew something about that, he would have let me know. He generally does when something like that comes down the line. So, I think that’s just a moot point to discuss anymore. No one that I know of at the city knows or has heard anything about AI coming here.”
A fake social media post, which can be found below, appears to be the culprit for the rumors.
Miller’s remarks regarding the proposed renovation of Firefighter’s Memorial Park
“From the beginning, when the idea was approached for improvements and upgrades to the Fireman’s Park, the full intent of the city was to bring something to benefit the families within our community. However, during the planning process of the playground and splash pad there’s been much controversy and discussion regarding the project. Initially the goal of the plan was to have this project complete and ready to debut for the 2026 summer so it could be utilized right away.
“That will not happen now. Also, during the course of discussions within the community there were many varying opinions about if Leitchfield was in need of such improvements. There have been some people that have expressed that they thought it was a total waste of money.
“Also, to clarify, if the project had been finalized, a formal amendment to the budget would have been required to complete the project within the original projected timeframe. There were discussions about whether funds were available, but that formal motion had not been made.
“At this time, the project will not be moving forward. But is something that may be reevaluated in the future.
“And I’ll end with this: In a situation like this, it starts and ends with me. That’s the bottom line. It starts and ends with me. So, if there’s any blame to be placed, any hard feelings or anything like that, don’t include these other six people sitting at this table here (city council members). Bring it to me. These things here start and end with me. Bottom line.
“I realize there’s probably some mistakes made in this process and hopefully we can back up and look again. One of the things we don’t want to do is get something started now at the Fireman’s Park and the kids not having anything to do this summer. If we go out there and start construction, tearing the splash pad and all that up, that’s going to disrupt that for this summertime season, and we don’t want to do that.
“So, at a future date, maybe it’s something we can look at. We will definitely look at and do the process different than we did. And we’ll try to do our best, that’s all we can do. But, as I said, anybody has any complaints, any hard feelings, anything like that, blame, direct it all toward me.”
Immediately following Miller’s statement, Councilman Billy Dallas said: “Appreciate your statement mayor. Thank you.”
Councilman George Hack, responding to Dallas’ statement, added: “I’ll second that.”
Citizen questions Miller
A citizen, Cassandra Weedman, during the public comment portion of the meeting, asked Miller why the playground project was “scrapped.”
“Was it just because summer approached?”
“Mainly,” Miller responded.
“But I’m sure any of the companies would wait to August to start (construction),” Weedman stated. “Would it still be an option to start in August after the kids do go back to school?”
“I think,” Miller responded, “I mentioned in the statement that there were probably some mistakes made in the process. We’ll go back and look at the process and try to do better the next time than we did this time. So no, we can’t do things overnight. People that aren’t happy with the process, I don’t think want us to just fire up without doing some more due diligence.”
“Are you expecting that process (of planning the renovation of the park) to start after August, or is it later on you think,” Weedman asked.
“I think if we do it, it would be sometime before early next year, because obviously, if we decide to do it we want to get it done in time for use that summer; not to be under construction all summer and the kids not have any place to go,” Miller said.
Renovation of Firefighter’s Memorial Park timeline
Mayor Miller told the council at that meeting that officials have “looked at the area (containing the splash pad) and (we) can probably double what’s there” now.
“I think personally that we can look at the splash pad and upgrade the playground stuff (equipment) may be money better spent right now (than adding pickleball courts) … That’s just my opinion,” Mayor Miller said.
Together, Parks and Recreation Director Trent VanMeter and PlayPros designed a 12,000-square-foot playground that would completely “redo the footprint” of the park, Vanmeter told the council that night.
VanMeter said he received “quotes” of $1.6 million for the new playground, as he requested the city pursue financing options, something the city council unanimously approved.
A motion was immediately made following Miracle’s presentation to accept the company’s bid, but a discussion, initiated by Dallas, ensued regarding the city having not yet cemented financing options for the playground, as Leitchfield Chief Financial Officer Sabrina Roof was still, at that time, exploring financing possibilities.
“Here’s where we’re at on it,” Dallas said at the meeting. “We haven’t discussed where we’re getting the money, how much we’re going to spend, the interest rate, where we’re going to borrow it, if we’re going to cash in (a CD). I think we have some leg work to do, us, before we sit here and decide one way or the other.”
After a lengthy discussion, Dallas then made the following motion:
“I want to make a motion to proceed with revamping the Firefighter’s Memorial Park with the companies that have placed a proposal for this project.”
The motion was immediately seconded and passed 6-0.
It was revealed in the meeting by Mayor Miller that a third bid was received for the project. No other information regarding that bid was discussed.
Fake social media post purporting to be authored by the city of Leitchfield
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
