serving local government - purchase add · serving local government when the carlisle fiscal court...

PerspectivesSummer 2014Purchase Area Development District

Serving LocalGovernmentWhen the Carlisle Fiscal Court decided to include a corn maze in their annual fall festival, they called the PADD for help to design and map the field. There will be play areas for children to utilize during the day. At night, the maze will transform into a haunted attraction for teens and adults. This project is just one way the PADD is serving local governments.From Left: Allie Potter and Bob Jost from PADD, Nicole Jones, Bradi Webb, Judge/Executive Greg Terry, Joe Ben Hogancamp, Magistrate Lloyd Presson, Magistrate Burley Mathis, and Magistrate Sonny Pearson.

2 Purchase Area Development District

PADD Perspectives is a quarterly publication of

Purchase Area Development District 1002 Medical Drive PO Box 588

Mayfield, KY 42066Phone: (270) 247-7171

Fax: (270) 251-6110www.purchaseadd.org

Mary Anne Medlock, Editor

Jennifer Beck WalkerExecutive Director

Andy BennettAssociate Director for Finance

Brad DavisAssociate Director for Community

& Economic Development

Mark DavisAssociate Director for Physical Planning

Dee TaylorAssociate Director for Human Services

Preparation of this document was financedwith federal, state and local funds under aJoint Funding Agreement approved by the

Southeastern Regional Council.

The PADD is an EOE/AA/ADA employer.

PHYSICAL PLANNINGISSUE

45th Anniversary Editorial ................... 2Designing a Corn Maze for Carlisle..... 3Members Dissolve PPSC ..................... 4KYTC Sidewalk Study ......................... 5PADD Completes First Year ................. 5There’s a Racer in the House ............... 6Fort Jefferson Hill Welcome Center ..... 7City of Fulton Sets Vision .................... 8Spotlight on Judge/Exec Tony Smith ... 9Buddy Smith Highway ........................ 102014 Milestone Awards ....................... 10News Briefs from the Purchase ........... 11Public Meeting Schedule..................... 12

What is Good for One of Us,Is Good for All of UsOver the past few months, I’ve been spending a lot of time looking back at how the Purchase Area Development District has impacted the eight-county area. My journey began by organizing our archives, establishing a complete set of the annual reports and newsletters. I pulled together the photo albums and started (but haven’t completed) the arduous task of identifying smiling faces. The result of that work has led to regular #ThrowbackThursdays postings on Facebook, blog posts, and a video that we released on the PADD’s new YouTube channel.

I talked with retired staff and long-serving members of the Board of Directors to learn how it all began and how it has survived. I’m overwhelmed with the dedication that has gone into establishing and maintaining the PADD. I wish I could have been there back in 1969 to observe the organizational process. I wish I could have known the person who first uttered the words “What is good for one of us is good for all of us,” the insightful unofficial motto adopted in the early days of the Board. I wish I could have watched those elected officials and citizen members make regionalism a priority without sacrificing their energies and vision to fulfill their own community needs.

Reading the old annual reports and newsletters, I’ve come to realize that my own efforts will hopefully help a future staffer to understand the challenges faced by the organization today. But while I might not have known the PADD’s Founding Fathers, I have the privilege of knowing those who currently serve on our board and committees. And just like the leaders of our past, these public servants are continuing the tradition of making regionalism a priority as they also find the energy and vision to fulfill their own communities’ needs.

It seems that after 45 years, the Purchase continues to battle high unemployment, infrastructure deficiencies, and the need for community development. After reading the executive director’s comments in the 1978 annual report, I sat and thought, “They were facing the same issues we face today. Why haven’t things changed?”

Then I realized: things have changed because without the federal and state resources that have been brought into this region by the PADD, where would the Purchase be? Would our communities still exist? Would they be vibrant? Would they have achieved all the recent national recognition for the best places to live, play, and work? I don’t think so.

One long-serving board member told me that, without the PADD, his county wouldn’t have survived. Today, looking around his county, you see a vibrant and proud community. New businesses dot the highway, paved sidewalks are filled with pedestrians, the senior citizen center is a happening place, and every family has clean water to drink. It’s hard to imagine that this place might not exist, that it might have been lost and abandoned without the resources brought by this agency.

That’s the living legacy of the PADD’s Founding Fathers and those who serve today. Their leadership has enriched this region. No community has been forgotten because of the regional vision of our elected officials--because what’s good for one of us, is good for all us. And together our future is bright.

by Mary Anne Medlock, Special Projects Coordinator

3 Summer 2014 Newsletter

Cover Story: Serving Local Governments

Designing a Corn Maze for CarlisleFestLast fall, Carlisle County Deputy Judge and Finance Offic-er Brandi Webb and her family visited a corn maze during a weekend outing in Missouri. While her daughter ran and played among the stalks, she pondered, “Why couldn’t we do something like this in Carlisle County?”

She pitched the concept to Judge/Executive Greg Terry, pro-posing to use one of the fields that surrounds the courthouse for a corn maze during the county’s annual CarlisleFest. He agreed that it would be a great attraction that would bring families from around the region to their community. Together, they researched various options, and then Webb called PADD GIS manager Bob Jost to design and map their ideas.

Timing is everything with a successful corn maze. Fields are planted several weeks after the normal planting time so the corn will still be green during the fall months. The corn that was planted in the maze area has gotten nearly 24 inches tall. On a perfect summer day, Jost and PADD intern Allie Pot-ter walked through the corn field establishing the paths for the pattern. Joe Ben Hogancamp followed them with a lawn mower cutting to create the maze’s special design. At 5,798 feet long, the walking paths are just over a mile in length.

The maze will be one of the attractions of the 6th Annual Car-lisleFest which begins October 17th in Bardwell. Several ac-tivites are planned for the weekend including an amateur BBQ cookoff, cornhole tournament, and catfish tournament. The fiscal court partnered with the Carlisle County FFA to have a two-acre pumpkin patch. Vendors are welcome to set up throughout the weekend and entertainment is being planned. Kids of all ages can roam the corn maze design which includes special play areas for children. The maze will be open in the weeks following the festival. At night, the maze will trans-form into a haunted Halloween attraction for teens and young adults.

“We’ll have the maze open until Halloween,” said Webb. “We’re hoping that it will be a fun activity for youth groups and others to have something to do right here in Carlisle Coun-ty.”

CarlisleFest will occur October 17 and 18th. You can contact the Carlisle County Judge/Executive’s office for more infor-mation by calling 270-628-5451, or you can visit their Face-book at https://www.facebook.com/CarlisleFest. The fishing tournament has its own Facebook page at https://www.face-book.com/carlislecountycatquest.

Joe Ben Hogancamp follows the path established by PADD GIS Manager Bob Jost and intern Allie Potter in order to cut the design 2 amd a half acre corn maze.

Brandi Webb, Nicole Jones, and Joe Ben Hogancamp check out the maze plan during a break from mowing.

Jost and Potter check each of the paths to verify their accu-racy and total length.


Serving Individuals: Purchase Public Service Corporation

With mission complete, Members Dissolve PPSCIn 1989, greater awareness and emphasis was placed on the need to develop, maintain, and strengthen strategic community infrastructure. The ADD responded to this need by establishing the Purchase Public Service Corporation (PPSC) to supervise a regional program to improve the condition and performance of wastewater treatment facilities. The original members of PPSC were Judge/Executive Bill Graves of Ballard County; Steve Zea and Dr. Melvin Henley of Calloway County; PADD Chair-man and Judge/Executive Warren Owens and Julian Hobbs of Carlisle County; Jim Moss of Fulton County; Klint Kelley of Graves County; Judge/Executive Greg Pruitt and Ray Samuels of Hickman County; and Larry Brannon of Marshall County. Gary Hovecamp joined the corporation in 1991. The Corporation began by identifying systems that needed operation and management assistance. They found a number of small wastewater systems that served subdivisions, apartment complexes and resort areas. Then they began providing technical assistance to small systems looking to connect to larger systems. Funding assistance was provided to a number of communities including Hardin, Kevil, Wingo, Draffenville, Hendron, Aurora, Reidland, and Woodlawn/Oakdale. It also provided assistance to Mayfield Electric and Water System when they needed to extend a line to the Hickory Industrial Park as the Remington Arms plant was built. During the line extension construction, PPSC assumed wastewater treatment operations for Midcontinent University, Mayfield Mobile Home Park, and the Purchase Training Center. In 1991, PPSC was awarded management of six small systems through the Franklin Couty Circuit Court including Blandville West Estates Subdivision, Green Acres Subdivision, Fieldmont Estates Subdivision, Golden Acres Subdivision, Gateway Sub-division, and Holifield Heights Subdivision. PPSC continued operating these systems until it became no longer feasible for the corporation and board authorized PADD staff to start the process of transferring ownership of the systems. • Thomas Country Estates, Highland Club Estates, and Holifield Heights were transferred to Mayfield Electric & Water Sys-

tems effective September 1, 2012. Each operates as an individual system, but customers now have better service because they offer the benefits that come with a larger system.

• Golden Acres and Great Oaks Subdivisions were transferred to Marshall County Environmental Services, a private cor-

poration, effective January 18, 2013. Based on guidance from PPSC’s attorney, the Board conducted a RFQ process to transfer these facilities and MCES provided the only response.

• Blandville West Estates was transferred to the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Administration (JSA). On Decem-

ber 23, 2013, the Kentucky Public Service Commission issued an order approving the transfer of the system. The exist-ing treatment plant was removed from service on March 27, 2014. The collection system was formally transferred to the Paducah-McCracken County Joint Sewer Agency effective May 1, 2014.

On May 19, 2014, with the management of all the systems transferred, the PPSC Board which declared that the original intent of the corporation had been fulfilled and approved documents authorizing the dissolution of the Corporation. During its 24-year existence, dozens of individuals have served as members and have left a legacy of quality service to the customers they served. The final group of PPSC members include Chairman Tony Smith, Judge/Executive of Graves County; Anita Bugg of Ballard County; J. L. Barnett and Alicia Tabers of Calloway County; Jerry Bowman of Carlisle County; Tommy Hodges of Fulton County; Jesse Perry and Kevin Leonard of Graves County; Bobby Gifford of Marshall County; Doug Harnice and Kevin Mur-phy of McCracken County; and the PADD Board of Directors officers Chairman Van Newberry Judge Executive of McCracken County, Judge/Executive Greg Terry of Carlisle County, Judge/Executive Vickie Viniard of Ballard County, and Judge/Execu-tive Larry Elkins of Calloway County.

John Hodges, of the Joint Sewer Agency, shows members of the Purchase Public Service Commission a map detail-ing how Blanville West Estate's waste-water plant would be connected into JSA's system.


Serving the Commonwealth: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Sidewalk Study PADD Completes First Year of KIAMapping Project

The PADD was contracted by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to perform a sidewalk inventory for the City of Mayfield and the City of Wickliffe during FY2014. These inventories will assist the Cabinet to implement a new GIS inventory database of all pedistrian and bicycling facilities across the state. Each of the Area Development Districts (ADDs) were asked to participate in the project.

PADD Transportation Planner Stacey Courtney mapped each cities’ sidewalks and bike paths and has provided that information to Troy Hearn, Bicycle and Pedistrian Program Statewide Coordinator for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. According to Hearn, his office has been tasked to provide recommendations on the best ways to incorporate design, operational efficiency, and better management of Kentucky’s trans-portation network.

“In relationship to bicycle and pedestrian facilities; often time we don’t have accurate (if any) data on where current facilities are located,” said Hearn.

To better consider and recommend the inclusion of future facilities within ALL types of road work, the Cabinet needed to know where may the logical connections be located and also, where current missing links may be located in a downtown sidewalk network. They needed to identify opportunities for connections of bicycle facilities; both locally and regionally -- which the Area Development Districts could provide.

“The statewide information collection work with our partnering ADD agencies is the start of a more complete statewide bicycle and pedestrian GIS inventory database of all pedestrian and bicycling facilities/assets,” said Hearn. “These facilities include anything that the bike/ped public uses for non-motorized transportation in the city or community such as sidewalks, bike lanes, bike paths, or separated multi-use paths.”

According to Hearns, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet working together with the ADD’s will better serve the non-motorized transportation needs of the public. Our common goals of providing a safer, more efficient, environmentally sound, and fiscally responsible complete transportation system helps deliver better economic opportunities enhancing the quality of life in Kentuckians.

During FY2014, PADD has re-ceived a contract from the Ken-tucky Infrastructure Authority to map water and wastewater utility structures. In total, 44 systems will be mapped over a three year win-dow, should funding continue. “Before the ADD office began collecting data, most of the system information was passed by word of mouth,” said James Smith, PADD Water Management Coor-dinator. “Over time, as people left the system or retired, a lot of that information went with them. When this happens repeatedly, it’s caused operators to not know what they really have in the ground.” Smith, along with GIS Manager Bob Jost, collected the field data utilizing the PADD’s remote GPS technology.

“Sometimes, after we would collect GPS data we could see above the ground, we would bring that infor-mation back to the office and align it with what was under the ground,” said Smith. “It was like a giant game of connect-the-dots. What we found was, more times than not, the lines did something completely different than what everyone had thought. It feels real good to show someone who’s been with a sys-tem for 20 years a map with all the dots connected and have them say ‘I never knew that was there’ or ‘I always thought that went a dif-ferent direction.’ This program is really helping the systems in a very practical way.” In FY2014, 16 systems received updated maps. In FY2015, another 16 systems will receive new maps.

Stacey Courtney, PADD Transportation Planner outlines the types of sidewalks and bike paths on a city map that will be used by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.


Meet Allie Potter. She is a fifth-year senior majoring in Geosciences at Murray State University.

When she accepted an internship in the PADD’s Physical Planning Division, she may not have known what she would be doing this summer. But she knew that she wouldn’t be doing the things that she normally does like making biscuits at Hardees, working on campus as a office student worker and cafeteria worker. She knew that by accept-ing this internship, she could have the opportunity to see what it might be like to work one job (instead of three). She quietly hoped that the internship would provide an opportunity for real world experience in her career field.

Since she began working in May, she’s gotten exactly what she hoped for -- as she’s gained valuable, professional experience and also started a collection of printed maps that she’s designed.

When asked what she enjoys most about her job, she quickly answers, “The maps. I love making maps.”

“Allie has been working in GIS department this summer,” said Mark Davis, Associate Director for Physical Planning. “She’s designed maps, collected data points in the field, and integrated spreadsheets for several of our projects. She’s done an excellent job and been a team player. The Test Drive a Racer program has been an asset for us.”

One of the projects that she’s enjoyed the most has been working the corn maze that will be main attraction at the Carlisle Days Festival planned for October. The two and a half acre corn maze will have plenty of rows for families to explore and special areas for scary activities. She digitized the map to identify the points to mow the field. She hopes that there will be an aerial photograph taken of the completed maze.

“An aerial photo of maze will be a wonderful keepsake of what I’ve done at the PADD,” said Potter. “I’m crossing my fingers that it will happen somehow.”

One of the other projects that she’s been involved in is the Kentucky Agricultural Development Information System (KADIS). Kentucky’s Area Development Districts are working with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Kentucky Depart-ment of Agriculture, Governor’s Office of Agriculture Policy and Kentucky Agricultural Council on a $1 million, two-year project to create a central clearinghouse for agricultural information for all 120 counties. The KADIS is scheduled to go online in late 2015 with interactive maps chock full of farming facts for each county. The system is being designed to help identify agricultural trends within the state, plan for disaster mitigation and drive economic development efforts. But to accomplish this, the ADD’s are building a statewide GIS database of agricultural assets using GPS technology and research. Allie has been helping build the data points for the Purchase Region.

Her internship was made possible by the Test a Racer Internship Program sponsored by MSU’s Jesse D. Jones College of Sci-ence, Engineering, and Technology. The university will reimburse the PADD for 8-10 weeks of employment (up to $5,000). In exchange, the PADD will make a good faith effort to employ another junior or senior from the Jones College next summer. For the university, the Test a Racer Internship Program provides students practical experience before graduation. For the PADD, the program provides an opportunity to accomplish a few extra projects and mentor a young professional.

For more information on the Test Drive a Racer program, contact Dr. Carrie Cox, Internship Coordinator for the Murray State University Jesse D. Jones College of Science, Engineering, and Technology by calling 270-809-3820.

Spotlight on Murray State University’s Test Drive a Racer Internship Program

There’s a Racer in the House

Allie collects a data point in the City of Barlow fora Kentucky Infrastructure Administration project.


One of the most beautiful vistas of the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers can be seen from the City of Wickliffe’s Fort Jefferson Hill Park.

Each day, you’ll find a stream of cars visiting the scenic overlook. It’s no surprise to find many out-of-state licenses plates scattered among the Kentucky plates as families enjoy the view, picnic, or utilize the new walking trail that was recently completed. Many visitors have no idea of the historic significance of the site, as they came for the scenery.

“We pass by here often on our way to Lambert’s in Cape Girardeau,” said Jo-hanna Salma from Huntingdon, Tennessee. The family recently noticed the new sidewalks. They decided to stop, let the kids stretch their legs, and take a few photos. “The new sidewalks are really nice and it gives the kids a nice break from sitting in the car,” Salma added.

Thelma Fetty and Betsy Buckham met playing bingo seven years ago in south-western Pennsylvania. Ever since, they’ve enjoyed traveling together. When they announced they were coming to Kentucky, their friends wanted to know what was in Kentucky? Buckham told them that’s why they were going -- to find out. They haven’t been disappointed with the beauty of the Common-wealth and all the things to explore. After visiting Fort Jefferson, the two were going to start the return trip home.

“We’re going to follow the Ohio River,” said Buckman. “We think it will be fun to follow its path from where it merges into Mississippi River to where it begins in Pittsburgh” said Buckman.

Considered a national security strategic asset since America’s infancy, Fort Jefferson Hill Park remains an important site to the region for a different reason now: the tourism opportunities and dollars it can bring into Wickliffe’s local economy. Soon the park will become part of the network of historic interpretive centers established by the National Mississippi River Parkway Commission, thanks to funding provided by the National Scenic Byways Program of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Some of the work on the project has been completed with the establishment of a walking trail which meanders around the site. The City of Wickliffe has begun renovating a building at the site’s entrance that will become a welcome and interpretive center. The facility will offer information about the site including its Native American past, its establishment as a Revolutionary War Fort and settlement by orders of President Thomas Jefferson, and its significance as an Union Army encampment during the Civil War.

The Fort Jefferson Hill Park’s welcome center is part of Kentucky’s Great River Road Corridor Management Plan and joins other sites including Wickliffe Mounds State Park, Columbus Belmont State Park, and the Carnegie Library in Hickman. The Kentucky Mississippi River Parkway Commission hopes that additional sites will be developed and added along the route. The PADD assisted the City of Wickliffe with the federal grant application and administers the National Scenic Byway grant.

“The PADD is pleased to help the City of Wickliffe and the Mississippi River Parkway Commission fulfill its vision for Fort Jefferson Hill Park,” said Mark Davis, Associate Director for Physical Planning. “The site is an important piece of the region’s history that will now have the opportunity to educate visitors looking to experience all the splendor that park offers.”

Serving Local Government: City of Wickliffe

Tourists Discover Fort Jefferson Hill Park

The Salma Family from Huntingdon, Ten-nesse enjoy driving through Wickliffe.

Thelma Fetty and Betsy Buckham from Pennsylvania are exploring Kentucky and

wanted to see the Mississippi River.


While the rest of the region slumbers, there is a hub of activity in the predawn morning at the tiny Amtrak station lo-cated on Highway 51. Fulton has a proud railroad heritage, and the city’s leaders are determined that the railroad will re-main a part of the city’s future. They’re seeking Transportation Investment Gen-erating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant program funding for a new Amtrak station to serve the nearly 5,000 passengers who utilize the twice daily City of New Orleans train connecting Chicago to Memphis and New Orleans. They tapped a strong partnership between local governments, economic development, chambers of commerce, tourism organizations, and the PADD to organize and submit the federal transportation application. TIGER grants have provided a unique opportunity for the US Department of Transportation to invest in road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve critical national objectives. Since 2009, Congress has dedicated more than $4.1 billion in six rounds to fund projects that have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or a metropolitan area. Fulton is hoping that they’ll receive $1.5 million in the 2014 competition. “Receiving the TIGER grant is critical for the plans that we’ve made for the Amtrak station and a new development that is be-ing planned for that area,” said Mayor Elaine Forrester. “We can move forward on some things planned without the grant, but to truly revitalize the station and that part of town requires the federal funding support that the TIGER grant can only provide.” Passenger traffic through the Fulton Amtrak station has increased over the past three years, and this station is actually the busi-est in Kentucky. It draws from seven surrounding counties and from Tennessee, connecting rural communities with economic opportunities. The group has proposed an energy-efficient facility that will provide riders with improved access to Amtrak services through upgrades to accommodate disabled persons, a boarding platform, upgraded lighting, and a surveillance system to improve safety for the traveling public. The city has proposed to take control of the property through a long-term lease with Amtrak/CN. The Fulton station is regularly utilized by business travellers, tourists, and international students attending Murray State Uni-versity and the University of Tennessee at Martin. Employees of the river industry also routinely use the train to meet their boats for upcoming shifts. Completion of the proposed new Amtrak station for the city of Fulton, Kentucky, would have a dramatic impact on the rural economy of the area. It would also be a component of a much larger development in the community. The new station and platform will provide significantly improved service to the traveling public, especially those in need of mobility assistance. Increased traffic through the Fulton station will produce an economic impact that ripples through the community by supporting local retail establishments, restaurants, and hotels The new Amtrak station is part of a larger $3.2 million public-private development complex that, when completed, will include a new hotel, restaurant, and retail shopping near the station. A total of 50-75 jobs are expected to be created along with addi-tional tax revenue projected at $300,000 per year. Based on the cost estimate, the community will recoup its investment in the Amtrak portion of the project in five years.

Serving Local Government: City of Fulton

City of Fulton Sets Vision for New DevelopmentProject to Include New Amtrak Station, Hotel, Restaurant, and Shopping Complex

The TIGER Grant Team for the City of Fulton meets with PADD’s Mark Davis. From left: Mark Davis, Leann Frizzell, Thea Vowell, Cubbs Stokes,

Mayor Elaine Forrester, Kenney Etherton, and Fire Chief Mike Gunn.


Judge/Executive Tony Smith has decided to retire from county government. After seven terms, he’s decided it’s best to leave while he still enjoys serving the people of Graves County.

“I promised myself that I’d recognize when it was time to go home,” said Smith. “That time has come and I can leave knowing that county is good shape and I can move on.”

During his tenure Graves County has flourished. When he took office in January 1986, manufacturing was the backbone of a strong local economy that worked in concert with the county’s rich agricultural tradition. In 2001, plant closures associ-ated with free trade agreements began. First to leave was Ingersoll-Rand, a com-pressor manufacturer that once employed 200 workers. The toughest blow came when Continental General Tire, one of the region’s largest manufacturing facilities that employed over 2500, began laying off hundreds of workers at a time. Over the course of two years, their workforce dropped to 1000. In 2004, when the company announced that they were ceasing operations, Smith thought the world had come to an end.

“I’ll never forget that day,” said Smith. “I didn’t know how Graves County was going to survive, losing all those jobs. Good jobs that paid good wages. But we survived and it wasn’t as devastating as I thought it would be. I found out that losing a plant like that wasn’t the end of the world. It hurt, but it didn’t destroy us.”

Ten years after the Continental General Tire closure, Mayfield and Graves County are booming once again thanks to the quiet determination and leadership of Smith. He believes that supporting local entrepreneurs and helping small business succeed is as important as landing the manufacturing projects.

“Small business people want to be here and they want stay here,” said Smith. “They aren’t going to take their jobs somewhere else. They invest in our community, and we need to support their efforts.”

That philosophy has been key to Graves County’s recent economic boom, as local small businesses expand and create jobs. Many of the local entrepreneurs have built companies by investing in their unique technical skills gained from past employers like Ingersoll-Rand and Continental General Tire. A decade after the plants closed their doors, Mayfield and Graves County is quickly becoming known as a compressor industrial cluster site.

In 2001, Smith became chairman of the PADD’s Regional Transportation Committee. He’s observed how funding has affected the state’s ability to fund large projects and each county’s ability to maintain local roads.

“Most of the bridges were built in the 1930’s and there just isn’t enough funding to replace them,” said Smith. “The costs that go along with big bridge projects is so great. The state did a good job timing the new Ledbetter bridge project, but there are so many that need replacing.”

He believes that there will have to be a change to how the state funds transportation, as the gas tax isn’t generating enough funds. Until a supplement or alternative funding is created, he believes that individual counties will suffer as the state reduces the amount they receive for local projects in order to cover the cost of large bridge projects. For Graves County, they are already doing less maintenance as funding has been reduced while expenses go up. Asphalt that once cost $29 a ton now costs the county $80 a ton.

Right now, Smith doesn’t have any plans for what he’ll do once his term is finished. He knows that he will continue to manage the 100-head cattle herd that he raises, and he hopes to complete a few projects around his farm. He anticipates that he’ll go back to work but doesn’t really know what he wants to do. Until then, he’ll do what he does best-- serve the citizens of Graves County, just like he’s done for 28 years.

People & Places in the Purchase

Judge/Executive Tony Smith

Judge Executive Tony Smith has served on the PADD Board since 1986 and was Chairman of the Board from 1994-1996.


PADD Board of Directors

2014 Milestone Awards Presented to Board Members

The Purchase Area Development District created its Milestone Service Awards to acknowledge the public service that individuals have contributed to the PADD Board of Directors. At the June 16, 2014, meeting of the Board, several members were honored.

Mr. Joe Bolin of Calloway County and Marshall County Judge/Executive Mike Miller were honored for their 40 years of service on the PADD Board of Directors. Bolin was appointed to the Board in December 1973 after being elected Hickman County Attorney. His appointment began just prior to being sworn into office. In 1977, Bolin became the third Chairman of the PADD Board. Miller joined the board in January 1974 after being elected as Marshall County Judge, then in 1978 he became Judge/Executive. He is the longest serving Judge/Executive in the Com-monwealth. Over the years he has served on multiple PADD committees.

“We are grateful for the years of public service these individuals have provided to the region through their participation on the Purchase ADD Board of Directors,” said Jennifer Beck Walker, PADD Executive Director. “The PADD is fortunate to have such an engaged Board. We are proud to honor their commitment to our region’s progress and the dedicated leadership they have provided over the years. We are honored by their service to this organization.”

Also during the meeting, five others board members were recognized for their mile-stone years of service. We appreciate the work that these members have provided through their participation on the PADD Board of Directors.

10 YEARS OF SERVICE 15 YEARS OF SERVICEMr. Pete Galloway Judge/Executive Larry Elkins Mayor Lynn Jones20 YEARS OF SERVICE Mr. Arthur BoykinMs. Sue Outland

40 YEARS OF SERVICEMr. Joe BolinJudge/Executive Mike Miller

Jennifer Beck Walker and PADD Chairman join Judge/Executive Mike Miller, Joe Bo-lin, Arthur Boykin, Sue Outland, Judge/Executive Larry Elkins, Pete Galloway.

Buddy SmithHonored by

Senate ResolutionRenaming Sectionof US Highway 45/

Lone Oak Road

On Tuesday, July 15th, local of-ficials, family members, and area citizens gathered to honor Mr. Buddy Smith with the naming of a section of US Highway 45/Lone Oak Road from Lone Oak Baptist Church to the McCracken County line the Buddy Smith Highway. The sign was unveiled by Smith’s daughters Gay Lyne Dickey of Paducah and Sheri Lee Davis of Tallahassee, Florida. The Kentucky State Senate passed a resolution to honor the long time McCracken County engineer, who passed away in 2013, for his years of service to the area. As McCracken County Engineer from 1967 - 1990, Smith oversaw many improvements to US High-way 45 which connects Paducah to Mayfield, so the tribute is very fitting. Mr. Smith was one of the longest serving members of the PADD Board of Directors, a dedicated public servant, and a transportation advocate. He was a veteran of the Air Force who never failed in his mission to serve the community he loved.


News Briefs from PADD

Mayor Gayle Kaler recently appointed Ms. Pamela Wright to be a citizen member representing the City of Paducah to the Purchase Area Development District. Ms. Wright is retired from the Paducah Independent School District where she was the District Federal Program Coordi-nator. During her tenure with the district, she served as the English as a Second Language Coordinator, District Read-ing Coach, Reading and Math Specialist, and was a class-room teacher. Although she is retired, she does consulting work with area school districts regarding federal programs administration. “I always enjoy learning new things,” said Wright. “I am excited about being appointed to represent the citizens of Paducah on the PADD Board.” Ms. Wright was not familiar with the PADD until Mayor Kaler approached her about serving as a board member. “I appreciate Mayor Kaler’s confidence in my ability to serve, and I look forward to learning about the organization and meeting everyone,” said Wright. Ms. Wright enjoys reading and traveling. Her daughter lives in upstate New York, which happens to be one of her favorite destinations. She is actively involved with the Paducah Chamber of Commerce’s Business and Education Partnership, belongs to the International Reading Association, and is a member of the Immanuel Baptist Church. “I like giving back to my community,” said Wright. “I be-lieve that being a member of the PADD Board will give me that opportunity.”

During the spring, the PADD assisted the Kentucky Transpor-tation Cabinet in recruiting participation for the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan. About 12% of the state’s total responses came from citizens of the Purchase Region. “I was very pleased that so many people participated from our region,” said Stacey Courtney, PADD Transportation Planner. “When the Cabinet opened the survey link, citizens from the Purchase quickly began responding. Their input will make a difference.”

Citizens were asked to review the state’s Long-Range Plan then complete an online survey about a variety of strategic plans for highways, public transportation, airways, railways, waterways, and bicycle/ pedestrian transportation. Included was the state’s plan to strengthen interconnectivity between the various modes of transportation, which will improve the overall effectiveness of Kentucky’s Transportation Network. The Kentucky’s Transportation Network includes:

• 6 carrier airports and 53 general aviation airports• 79,321 miles of public roads and streets• 10 interstate highways and 10 state parkways• 27,625 miles of state-maintained highways• 14,000 bridges including 9 state-maintained bridges• 12 public riverports• 1,269 miles of navigable waterways• 10 ferry operations• 14 locks and dams for navigation• 13 freight railroad lines with 2,648 miles of track• 25 rural public transportation services• 9 urban bus/transit services

For more information about the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Long-Range Statewide Plan, contact Stacey Court-ney, PADD Transportation Planner, at 270-247-7171.

Pam Wright to Serve onPADD Board of Directors

Purchase Citizens Participate in KY Transportation Cabinet’s Survey

Pam Wright has been appointed as a citizen representative to the PADD Board of Directors by the Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler.

PADD Board MeetingsJuly 21 @ 3:00 pm

August 18 @ 3:00 pmSeptember 15 @ 3:00 pm

Aging CommitteeAugust 27 @ 9:30 am

Child Care Advisory BoardJuly 24 @ Noon

Citizens CorpJuly 24 @ 1:30 pm

Commodity & Food BankTask Force

July 22 @ 9:00 am

PADD Public Meeting ScheduleAll meetings are at the PADD, unless otherwise noted. The Purchase Area Development District will make every reason-able accommodation to assist qualified disabled persons in accessing available services or in attending agency activities. Please contact us at least one week in advance of the meeting, so that suitable arrangements can be considered for the delivery of the service or attendance requirement prior to the activity.

Loan Review CommitteeJuly 17 @ 9:00 am

August 15 @ 9:00 amSeptember 11 @ 9:00 am

Personnel & Finance CommitteeJuly 21 @ 2:00 pm


Purchase Area E-911 BoardJuly 8 @ 3:00 pm


Purchase Area Mental Health& Aging Coalition

August 6 @ 10:00 am

Regional Transportation CommitteeSeptember 17 @ 10:30 am

Business Orientation Workshops(Call to register - by appt only)

Tuesdays @ 3:00 pm Thursdays @ 10:00 am

Ballard CountyJ/E Vickie Viniard

Mayor Lynn HopkinsClyde Elrod

Calloway CountyJ/E Larry ElkinsMayor Bill Wells

Joe BolinMatt Mattingly

Sue Outland

Carlisle CountyJ/E Greg TerryNancy Henley

Bill Fraser

PADD Board of DirectorsFulton County

J/E David GallagherMayor Elaine Forrester

Mayor David LattusJames O. Butts

Graves CountyJ/E Tony Smith

Mayor Teresa Rochetti-CantrellMayor Charles Shelby

Kenneth GallowayDon Simpkins

Hickman CountyJ/E Greg Pruitt

Mayor Tommy KimbroNancy Pruitt

Marshall CountyJ/E Mike Miller

Mayor Lynn JonesMayor Steve CaryMelonie Chambers

McCracken CountyJ/E Van NewberryMayor Gayle Kaler

Arthur BoykinFrances Hamilton

Doug HarniceLee King

Pam Wright

LegislatorsRep. Lynn BechlerRep. Will Coursey

Rep. Richard HeathSen. Stan Humphries

Rep. Kenny ImesSen. Bob Leeper

Rep. Steven RudyRep. Gerald Watkins

serving local government - purchase add · serving local government when the carlisle fiscal court...

Documents