City Council conducts public forum to discuss Sunday alcohol sales

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

The Falmouth City Council conducted a March 26 public forum at 7:30 p.m. at Southern Elementary School. The issues discussed were the Sunday sale of alcohol and the sale of mixed drinks in restaurants, where profits are made up of 51% food sales and have a 100 customer seating capacity. Falmouth City Attorney, Henry (Skip) Watson III, acted as forum mediator. An estimated 180 citizens were in attendance of the event.

Executive Director of the Pendleton County Industrial Development Authority, Jack Wright, explained that the two ordinances regarding city alcohol sales were proposed to enhance economic development. Wright indicated that the Industrial Authority's Board of Directors voted to support the ordinances. County Attorney Jeff Dean asked Wright what specific study recommended this type of alcohol sales as economic development, and why wouldn't he tell the audience which members of the board voted for or against the ordinances? Wright said that he had no problem with that, if he'd been asked the question, which he wasn't. Wright answered that there wasn't any specific study, but the recommendation was part of an urban development plan. Wright said that the vote of the Board was three over two in favor of the ordinances, (in a democracy, majority rules) and he proceeded to give the names of the Industrial Authority Board Members and the nature of their votes.

Lawrence Joseph Cortelyou was the first citizen to speak. He stated that government did not exist to legislate morality.

Falmouth City Councilman Jason Gregg spoke against the alcohol sales proposals and quoted a New Mexico study that supported his position. Councilman Gregg said, "Folks, I'm not going to deny it, I'm a Christian. I go to Turner Ridge Baptist Church. In regard to legislating morality, folks, if we didn't, adultery would be legal, murder would be legal and drinking at four years of age would be legal."

Carolyn Vanlandingham asked the remaining members of Falmouth City Council to state their stand on the issue. Councilman Rick Mineer answered that the purpose of the forum was to gather information. Council, he said, would take the matter under advisement and make a decision at a later date. Mrs. Vanlandingham told the council, "There will be a new election."

Joyce Flaugher said that if the ordinances were approved, the city would be required to hire an additional police officer at a cost of $50,000 per year. She said Sunday alcohol sales had little to do with economic development. Flaugher said she had lost a close family member because of a drunk driver. Another one of her relatives ruined his career because of alcohol addiction, she said.

Ed Sissel said, "I like my friends. I like my neighbors. I love my family and I love my children. And I don't want them dead, because somebody wanted to bring in a little more money. How much money is a human life worth?"

Mount Moriah Christian Church Minister Darrell Breeden told the audience of his experience with the Carrollton Church Bus Tragedy. Approximately 20 years ago, a drunk driver, going the wrong direction on Interstate 71 near Carrollton, struck the side of a church bus and ruptured its gas tank. This brought about a horrific explosion and engulfed the bus in flames. "Have you ever smelled burning flesh?" asked Minister Breeden, "I carried a young girl from that bus and laid her down in the median. Her skin came off in my hands. When the firemen came and opened the back of the bus they found 27 people melted together."

Falmouth merchants Todd Mains of The Spirit House and Dana Wells of Wells' Open Air Market said the town was losing business to neighboring counties that had the advantage of Sunday alcohol sales and mixed drinks in restaurants.

Jennifer Pence of the Assembly Café said the downtown restaurant would not sell alcohol on Sunday, "And regardless of the status of liquor by the drink laws we will not leave Falmouth. We are a family restaurant, our food is great and we are here to stay."

During the course of the two hour forum, some 20 individuals expressed their opinions. The speeches were dramatic and informative. Mayor DeFalco thanked the citizens for their participation and said the council would take their comments under consideration before making a decision.

Falmouth man airlifted after accident on Hwy 330

Kentucky State Trooper Chris Steward investigated a single-vehicle, injury accident at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27. Justin Gentry, 22, Falmouth, operating a 1999 Buick Century, was traveling east on Highway 330 when he lost control of his vehicle and left the right side of the roadway, striking a tree and a road sign. Pendleton County Ambulance Service and TransCare responded to the accident scene to administer first aid to Gentry who suffered multiple body injuries. The Falmouth Fire Department set up a landing zone at Southern Elementary and he was transported by aircare to U.C. Hospital. According to police reports, the accident may have been caused by excessive speed. Gentry is still confined to University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati. Rodney Miles Towing Service removed the wreckage from the scene of the accident. Photo by Jackie Vaughn.

Philip A. Sharp Middle School Math Teacher, Linda West, received the 2007 Teacher Achievement Award from Governor Ernie Fletcher in Frankfort on October 13, 2006. Above: (l-r), Former Commissioner of Education, Gene Wilhoit, Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, Linda West, and Chairman and CEO of Ashland, Inc., Jim O'Brian.

Pendleton County Math Teacher Linda West receives award
Math classes celebrate Pi Day on March 14

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Sharp Middle School Math Teacher, Linda West, was recognized as an Outstanding 2007 Kentucky Teacher on February 20, with articles in the Lexington Herald Leader and the Louisville Courier Journal. Mrs. West was one of 24 Kentucky teachers that received professional accomplishment tributes in the Ashland/Kentucky Department of Education 2007 Teacher of the Year Ceremony held on October 13, 2006 in Frankfort. Governor Ernie Fletcher presented Linda West with a commemorative plaque and a check for $500.

On March 14, 2007, Mrs. West's Sharp Middle School Mathematics classes held their annual recognition of Pi Day. February 14 is a special time set aside for the expression of affection in general. We know that date as Valentine Day. March 14 is a special time set aside for the appreciation of math. On that date Pi Day is celebrated. "Pi" is the Greek letter used as a symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. That ratio itself is 3.141592. Coincidentally, March 14 is Albert Einstein's Birthday.

To celebrate Pi Day, Mrs. West's individual student projects included: posters, videos, mathematical models and puzzles, essays, book reports, songs, poems, the personal baking of a pie and the memorization and recitation of as many digits of Pi as possible.

Phillip Sharp Middle School presents "Evening of the Arts"

Pendleton County School's tenth annual "Evening of the Arts" was hosted by Phillip A. Sharp Middle School on March 22, 2007. The playing of musical instruments, singing, dancing, sculpture and visual art displays by our school system's talented students made this year's event another grand success story.

For more of this story and additional photos, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Kenton Fire Protection District 1 to review petition
Fiscal court pays tribute animal control officer

By Roger McKinney, Reporter

Kenton Fire Protection District 1 published a petition to annex on November 14, 2006, a certain portion of Pendleton County as part of its service area. That geographic section involves over two hundred landowners or (freeholders) and is served by the Butler Fire Department. In order to halt the annexation an opposing petition was signed by more than 51% of the landowners from the area and presented to the Pendleton County Court Clerk before the November 28, 2006 deadline. In the November 28, 2006 meeting of the Pendleton County Fiscal Court, Judge/Executive Henry Bertram informed those in attendance that the Kenton Fire District had withdrawn its petition to annex. Judge Bertram pointed out that if the Kenton District had not withdrawn its petition a hearing would have taken place, where he (Judge Bertram) would have ruled either for, or against annexation. If he ruled against the action, no further attempt to annex could take place until two years had passed.

For more of this story, see this week's Falmouth Outlook

Falmouth Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt to be held April 7

The Falmouth Lions Club will be holding their annual Easter Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7. The hunt will take place at the Pendleton County Fairgrounds.

Children twelve years of age and younger are invited. There will be three divisions of children based on age.

Any child that donates a used pair of eyeglasses will receive a small treat. See you Saturday!

Community Good Friday Service

A community Good Friday service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 6 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Planned by the Pendleton County Cooperative of Churches, this is an annual program in which several area churches participate.

Special vocal music will be a part of the service. The offering will benefit the Food Pantry at St. Vincent DePaul Society in Falmouth. The community is invited to attend.

Grand Jury Indictments

The Grand Jury charges: that on or about December 25, 2006, Dwayne E. Hensley, DOB: 10/22/62, committed the offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence when he operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which may impair one's driving ability, after having been previously convicted of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence three times within the past five years, and that following his arrest herein, he refused the trooper's request to submit to a test of his breath; that on or about December 25, 2006, having been convicted within the past five years of Operating a Motor Vehicle While His License was Revoked or Suspended, committed the offense of Operating a Motor Vehicle While His License was Revoked or Suspended, and at the time of said operation, the Defendant was in violation. Bail is set at $5,000. Arraignment: 9 a.m. 4/4.

Additional items include:

Three Rivers District Health Department prepares for next health emergency

Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds approved $235,893 for Pendleton County

2007 Pendleton County High School Winter Sports Banquet

Wildcats baseball team gets 2007 season underway

Tom Browning to be inducted into Transylvania Hall of Fame

"Evening of the Arts" photos

2006 Pendleton County Delinquent Tax List

and more!!