TheThe LickingLicking ValleyValley CourierCourier Morgan County’s HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER Speaking Of and For Morgan, the Bluegrass County of the Mountains Since 1910 (USPS 312-040) Morgan County Courthouse - Built 1907 Per $22.50 Year In County Volume 98 — No. 25 WEST LIBERTY, KENTUCKY 41472, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009 ¢ $25.00 Year In Kentucky 50 Copy $27.00 Year Outside Kentucky Six selected Citizens of the Year at banquet Saturday Sixty-four nominees were selected for service to people of Morgan County contributions to the community Over 200 Nickell. people attended the Educator — Rose May. second annual Citi- This year’s nominees and the fields zen of the Year of endeavor from which they were cho- Banquet held this sen were: past Saturday Medical: James Frederick, Wendy evening at the Lykins, Robert Henderson, Tim Blevins, Morgan County Brent Davis, Kathy Fannin, Jeff Bailey, Middle School Kent Nickell, Liz Potter. Gymnasium. Community Service: Danny Fannin, Sponsored by the Mike Holbrook, Mike Lacy, Bob Mar- Middle School tin, Langley Franklin, Donnie Football Program, Coach Brian McKenzie, Cindy Ball, Hank Allen, Photos By Michele Vance Turner Lynn Nickell, right, accepted Janis Williams accepted award Kristi Collins accepted award the event was em- Larry Easterling, Joe Curd, Paul Kidd, award from his brother, Merle. for her son, Randy Williams. for Rose May. ceed by MCMS football coach Brian Mark Walter. Turner and included a steak dinner and Educator: Devra Kidd, Julie live entertainment. The meal was deli- Sherman, Brian Turner, Debbie cious, and the Middle School football McKinney, Sandra Pelfrey, Helen team displayed their talents as waiters. Pennington, Robin Dickerson, Rose A fun evening of fellowship was enjoyed May, Pam Hornbuckle, Peggy Huff, by all who came to honor the 64 Citizen Lowell Cantrell, Candace Prater. of the Year nominees who were selected Lifetime Achievement: Oleta Collins, on the basis of their service to the people Darrell Bradley, Lynn Nickell, Mike of Morgan County or for their contribu- Lacy, Bill Holbrook. tions to improve the quality of life in the Religion: Rickie Lewis, Jimmy community. The winners as selected by Tharp, Mike Lindon, Eugene Haney, a committee of judges were: John Oldfield, Tim Conley, Roy Collett, Medical Provider — Dr. James Brian Turner. Frederick. Small Business Owner: Pat Thaxton, Religious Contribution — Reverend Danny Ray Fannin, Stephen and Becky Eugene Haney. Stoltzfus, Randy Williams, Mike Stacy, Small Business Owner — Randy Donnie McKenzie, Jeff Havens, Tommy Williams, Williams’ Karate Studio and and Lisa Fannin, Gale Thornsberry and Eastern Kentucky Gym. Ronald Gibson, Brenda Fannin, Community Service — Langley Holbrook Brothers Sorghum, LeeAnn Franklin. Lindon, Dewey Blevins, Bonnie Rev. Eugene Haney Langley Franklin Dr. James Frederick Lifetime Achievement — Lynn McKenzie. Planning group here Screening inspired by renowned panel begins supt. search development specialist Vacancy sparks interest By Miranda Cantrell plan for the community’s future — in- of several potential James cluded nationally renowned leadership Approximately 55 people attended training/community building specialist candidates, official says the second of five community-building Dr. Vaughn Grisham, of Oxford, Miss., The local Superintendent Screening forums hosted by the Morgan County whose inspiring talk outlined the requi- Committee met on Feb. 25 at Morgan Chamber of Commerce and the Lexing- sites for successful leadership of a com- Central Elementary School to begin the ton-based New Cities Institute on Feb. munity development program. process of choosing a superintendent to 19, at the Morehead State University at This economic development effort is replace Joe Dan Gold, who is retiring. West Liberty campus. funded with a $10,000 grant from The following committee members The event — a two-hour work ses- Berea’s Brushy Fork Institute through were elected or appointed by their peers: sion designed to develop a visionary the Appalachian Regional Commission, • Esther Cain, who represents Mor- which provides training for community gan County school district parents. leaders and administers $280,000 in • Brian Lindon, who represents the Sgt. Kelly Keck Flex-E grants to Kentucky’s distressed Morgan County Board of Education. Appalachian counties. • Carol Rose, who represents Mor- to be on Oprah Community Forum gan County school principals. Chamber of Commerce member • Kristi Collins, who represents Mor- Winfrey show Helen Pennington, who visited the Local realtor Phyllis Keeton is sworn in Monday by Mayor Jim Rupe to fill a gan County teachers. vacancy on the city council created by the resignation of Vickie Henley. • Justin Daniels, who represents Mor- Army Sgt. Kelly Keck, who was se- Brushy Fork Institute last year with See SEARCH Page 4 verely wounded in action in Afghanistan MSU at West Liberty Director Dr. Jonell last year, will be among a group of seven Tobin and County Judge Executive As- or eight wounded soldiers at Walter Reed sistant Linda Bradley, introduced Dr. Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., Grisham to forum participants. Phyllis Keeton named to scheduled to be featured on the Oprah “Jonell, Linda and I met Dr. Grisham Inside This Winfrey Show today (Thursday) on at the Brushy Fork Institute,” WKYT-Channel 27. The show airs at Pennington said. “He was so dynamic fill city council vacancy Week 4:00 p.m. in his workshop, and we thought it Keck, son of Mrs. Sandra Sharp of would be exciting to bring him to West By Miranda Cantrell Keeton’s appointment came on a West Liberty and grandson of the late Liberty. His activities will give us a James unanimous vote following a motion to Dr. Alec and Mrs. Charlene Spencer of chance to share new ideas about our The West Liberty City Council at its nominate by Councilwoman Belinda West Liberty and Judge and Mrs. Ruth community.” regular Feb. 23 meeting approved the Jordan that was seconded by Council- Keck of Sandy Hook, lost a leg and suf- Dr. Grisham serves as director of the appointment of local rRealtor Phyllis man Dwayne Nickell. Meetings/Announcements ............ Page 2-B fered severe hand wounds when his col- McLean Institute for Community Devel- Keeton to the council to fill a vacancy Mayor Jim Rupe administered the News of Record ................................ Page 5 umn was ambushed by Taliban fighters opment at the University of Mississippi, left by the resignation of former mem- oath of office to Keeton following the Opinion/Letters ................................. Page 4 on Sept. 13, 2008. He has been a patient where he has been a sociology profes- ber Vickie Henley. vote. Cable TV Guide ............................ Page 4-B In other business, Kiwanian Danny at Walter Reed Hospital since his return sor for 40 years. His work includes sev- A City Hall spokesperson told The Obituaries .........................................Page 7 to the states. The TV show was taped eral books and articles, such as Tupelo: Courier on Tuesday that Henley re- McKenzie was in attendance to request The Evolution of a Community and Hand approximately $3,200 for Kiwanis Sports ............................................... Page 8 during a therapy session for the soldiers, signed from the council last month be- Classifieds .................................... Page 6-B in Hand: Community and Economic De- cause she was reportedly considering a Swimming Pool maintenance and opera- most of whom lost limbs as a result of Legals ................................. Page 6-B & 7-B their wounds. See PLANNERS Page 7 move outside city limits. See CITY COUNCIL Page 7-B WEST LIBERTY Now Available Assorted Color OODOOD XPRESSXPRESS ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ FF○○○○○○○○○○ EE & Size Helium 625 Prestonsburg Street Balloons Plenty Of In-Store Specials! Now Available Everyday Low Meat And Produce Prices! BIG 3 DAY SALE February 26, 27, 28 Exclusively At: 1 Lb. Bar S Jumbo Or 4-6 Pack Cans (With Additional $10.00 Purchase)$ 68 ¢ Pepsi Products ......... Parkway Bun Length Franks ............ 99 5 Boneless Beef 7.8 Oz. Jeno’s ¢ Discount $ 99 Frozen Pizzas ............ Rump Raost ...................... 2 Lb. 88 Tobacco Fresh 1 Gallon United $ 69 2005 Chevy Malibu $ 38 Ground Beef ............. 1 Lb. Only $3.92 2% Milk............................. 2 1/2 Gallon Festival LS, V-6, Loaded Boneless (10 Lb. Pkg. - $1.58 Lb.) $ 68 Per Package $ 99 Ice Cream ......................... $ 00 Chicken Breast ......... 1 Lb. (Plus Tax) 1 $ 00 Vine Ripe 7,400 7 Oz. Box Shurfine 3/ ¢ *Wind & Willow* ¢ Mac & Cheese ........ Tomatoes ........................... 99 Lb. 98 Cheeseball And Dip Mixes 10 Lb. Bag Morgan Tire Center, Inc. Plus when you spend $100, get $ 99 a $10 gift card good on your • Huge selection of flavors to choose from Russet Potatoes................ 2 • Easy to make with only two ingredients 1592 West Main Street next $50 grocery purchase! required for most mixes Located Corner Prestonsburg & Broadway Street West Liberty, Kentucky Open Mon.-Fri. 7-8 — Sat. 8-8 — Sun. 9-6 • Tastes great and looks impressive PHONE: (606) 743-1524 Phone: 606/743-7350 Or 606/743-4663 261 COURT ST. • WEST LIBERTY, KY. THE LICKING VALLEY COURIER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2009 PAGE ONE-B Licking Valley RECC says Thanks The late January massive ice storm caused the largest power outages in Kentucky history. Licking Valley RECC serves 18,000 members in eight counties and 16,000 were left in the dark, some for as long as 18 days. The magnitude of damage caused by freezing rain and sleet was simply unbelievable. Then when power was restored for almost everyone the wind storm came February 11th and many were again without power. We estimate nearly 180 broken poles, dozens of transformers and several hundred miles of power line were damaged or destroyed at the hands of Mother Nature. The repair costs will run into the millions. On behalf of the Licking Valley RECC Board of Directors, I want to thank those individuals and businesses that helped us during the power restoration process. I am humbled by the number of caring people who came to our aid. I am convinced that there is no greater earthly power than the brotherhood of people helping people.