www.middlesborodailynews.com Saturday, December 24, 2011 Serving the Tri-State community Printed on 100% Recycled Newsprint 12 Pages, 50¢ INSIDE BCVFD president steps down ANTHONY CLOUD Staff Writer PINEVILLE - An apologetic Roy Amburgey stepped down as Bell County Volunteer Fire Department (BCVFD) presi- dent at a special called meeting on Thursday night. He stated that the reason for the decision was because he felt like he could represent the fire depart- ment better as a board member than as president. This move comes after the embattled president and the board of directors for the Fire Department closed two fire sta- Kidd-Gilchrist is tions, claiming a lack of fund- Kentucky’s pre- ing. The BCVFD also made Christmas MVP headlines leading up to this year's elections, for attempting — Page 12 to refuse the use of fire stations as polling places. CHRISTMAS Amburgey blamed his resig- nation from his post on recent SERVICES statements he made to the ANTHONY CLOUD/Middlesboro Daily News media. Concerned citizens gathered at the BCVFD meeting to discuss their disappointment and con- "The president job does not cerns with the closing of the Arjay and Colmer fire stations. CELEBRATE fit me anymore," said CHRISTMAS EVE Amburgey. "I was wrong for today, at a 5 p.m. candle- overlooking the SOG require- "I know we have capable peo- ed to discuss insurance issues fire station?" light and carol service at ments. I made a statement that I ple that will step into this posi- only. It was stated by Mike Cupp, Captain of the First Presbyterian should not have made (to the tion and do a fine job." Amburgey that this limited the Four Mile fire station, stated Church, M’boro. An media)." Amburgey plans to turn in meeting to topics that were on that it was the board's collec- informal fellowship and The SOG requirements that his written resignation at the the agenda. tive decision. Christmas service will Amburgey was referring to next regular board meeting in The audience members in When asked what they based begin at 10 a.m. Sunday states that he must get approval January. It was reported that attendance were angered by the decision on in terms of clos- from the board before holding a in the basement fellow- fire chief Rodney Wilder will this because many of them ing the station, Cupp said the press conference or making ship hall. do the same at the next meet- wanted to discuss the closing of decision was based on runs and A CANDLELIGHT comments about a situation to ing. Wilder was not present at the two fire stations (in Colmer membership. CHRISTMAS EVE the media. the BCVFD special called and Arjay). After the meeting SERVICE will be held "I am a vocal person, and I Another asked how much meeting. was over, the citizens voiced money the BCVFD had in the today at First Christian believe in reacting to things. The actual meeting, which their opinions. bank. Church, M’boro. Harpist That is not good for the board lasted roughly 30 minutes, was One man asked, "Who made Linda Smiddy will begin at this time," stated Amburgey. a special called meeting intend- the decision to close down the • See BCVFD, page 3 playing at 10:30 p.m., followed by worshio and communion service, with special music for Nelson drops the service will be by Dale Ann Bradley and her son, John , at 11 p.m. proposal to ban Christmas Day service will begin at 11 a.m. CHRISTMAS EVE services will be held at 5 candy purchases p.m. and 11 p.m. today at Covenant United Methodist Church, with food stamps M’boro. ROGER ALFORD ST.JULIAN Associated Press CATHOLIC CHURCH, Mboro, Christmas Eve FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A lawmaker from services begin at 5:30 Kentucky’s impoverished Appalachian region has p.m. with the children's dropped a proposal that would have banned welfare Christmas play, fol- recipients from buying candy, soda and other sweets lowed at 6 p.m. by a on the taxpayers’ tab. Christmas Vigil Mass. State Rep. Rick Nelson, D-Middlesboro, wanted From 11:30 p.m. to mid- to force food stamp program recipients to buy more night there will be con- nutritious foods. cert of Christmas carols, RAY WELCH/Middlesboro Daily News The move was met by opposition from con- followed by Christmas stituents in Bell and Harlan counties, the heart of the Midnight Mass. Pump Springs spreads Christmas eastern coalfields where a high percentage of resi- Christmas Day Mass dents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance will begin at 11 a.m. Program to feed their families. Sunday. cheer to hospitalized children Some detractors accused Nelson of trying to take FIRST BAPTIST candy away from children in the midst of an eco- CHURCH, Ewing, Va., Each week Pump nomic recession that has caused widespread unem- will present the Springs Baptist Church ployment. Christmas cantata, “A (PSBC) from Harrogate, “Sweets or junk food is not an appropriate pur- Candlelight Christmas”, Tenn. visits and deliv- chase with the food stamp money that the taxpayers at 11 a.m. Sunday. ers new toys to hospi- provide for them,” Nelson told WKYT-TV in Hazard ST ANTHONY talized children shortly after he filed the bill. CATHOLIC CHURCH, throughout the year. On Friday, Nelson said he had withdrawn the pro- Virginia Ave., Pineville, This week the church posal. He declined to comment further. will celebrate Christmas visited Middlesboro The Harlan Daily Enterprise said in an editorial Day Mass at 9 a.m. ARH with a special sur- that Nelson’s proposal for the modern version of the CHESTER AVENUE prise for the children. food stamp program, which provides recipients with BAPTIST CHURCH, PSBC, along with toys benefit cards that can be swiped at checkouts, was a 223 Chester Ave., for the children, divisive one. Middlesboro, will pres- brought Santa to visit “We don’t mean to be too critical of his action,” the newspaper said. “We would simply ask that he ent the Christmas musi- the children and spread focus his energies on cal, “Beautiful Star of Christmas cheer. Bethelehem”, at 11 a.m. more impressive • See NELSON, page3 Sunday, Dec. 25, under the direction of Colleen Lester. There will be no Mtn. View residents receive Christmas cheer evening services. PINEVILLE — The look forward to this EVANGELIST DON folks at Mountain View party every year, and HOOKS, Lansing, Nursing & Rehabilitation they really enjoyed the Tenn., will be at the Center received a entertainment provided Bright Star Baptist Christmas party by Rhonda White and Church, M’boro, on Thursday afternoon. Nina Cummings,” said Christmas Day for a spe- Gifts were provided by Activity Director Marie cial service at 10 a.m. Pineville Homemakers, Howard. “We as staff Christmas Day. A cov- First Baptist Church of also love having this ered dish dinner will be Pineville, Dr. Shawn party. We love to see the shared with all who Fugate, Arnett and residents faces light up come after the service. Steele, and Woolum and each year as they Dixon. receive gifts that are RAY WELCH/Middlesboro Daily News “The residents really provided to them.” www.middlesborodailynews.com PAGE 2 THE DAILY NEWS |SATURDAY | DECEMBER 24, 2011 Today's Weather TODAY IN BRIEF Local 5-Day Forecast Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu An early package under gate of the General Intelligence Agency, the officials said. 12/25 12/26 12/27 12/28 12/29 the tree: Payroll tax cut, jobless benefits extension Queen Elizabeth II's pass Congress husband hospitalized WASHINGTON (AP) — Barely with chest pains 58/31 53/38 53/32 55/36 55/36 beating Santa's sleigh, Congress deliv- LONDON (AP) — Queen Mix of sun and Mix of sun and Considerable cloudi- Mix of sun and Mix of sun and ered a last-minute holiday tax-cut Elizabeth II's husband was hospital- clouds. Highs in the clouds. Highs in the ness. Highs in the clouds. Highs in the clouds. Highs in the extension to 160 million American ized Friday evening after experiencing upper 50s and lows low 50s and lows in low 50s and lows in mid 50s and lows in mid 50s and lows in wage-earners on Friday, just when it chest pains, British royal officials said. in the low 30s. the upper 30s. the low 30s. the mid 30s. the mid 30s. looked like they and millions of unem- Prince Philip, 90, was taken from ployed workers were going to be left Sandringham, the queen's sprawling Sunrise Sunset Sunrise Sunset Sunrise Sunset Sunrise Sunset Sunrise Sunset with coal in their stockings. estate in rural Norfolk, to the cardiac 7:45 AM 5:25 PM 7:45 AM 5:25 PM 7:46 AM 5:26 PM 7:46 AM 5:27 PM 7:46 AM 5:27 PM It was a major yearend political vic- unit at Papworth Hospital in tory for President Barack Obama, a big Cambridge for "precautionary tests," a slice of humble pie for House spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace Republicans and a blow to House said. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, who'll She would not say if other members have an angry band of tea party law- of the royal family were with the Duke Kentucky At A Glance makers to deal with when Congress of Edinburgh or if he would stay the returns to Washington next month. Back-to-back voice vote approvals of night at the hospital. The spokes- the two-month special measure by the woman declined to comment further Senate and House came in mere seconds and spoke on customary condition of Louisville with no debate, just days after House anonymity.