Fiscal Court Gets Suggestions On How To Prepare For Flu Pandemic

Although there were no reported cases of the Swine Flu in Adair County, preparing for the highly dangerous flu strand is a must according to Kentucky Department of Health.
Kim Thomas of the Kentucky Department for Public Health told the Court that Adair County could get through a pandemic disaster with better results if they begin planning for an outbreak now.
Thomas informed the court that a pandemic could infect as many as 5,331 or 30-percent of the citizens, which could threaten all of the basic services, food and fuel distribution, and result in a much higher death rate.
Thomas told the court that there could even be an additional two deaths a week in this population.
Thomas then told the court that the best precaution against contracting the virus is hand-washing and another is social distancing.
According to Thomas that could mean fewer gatherings finding new ways to hold worship, and a possible reduction in the number of events held.
"We can tell you now that there were meetings to discuss the possibility of not holding the Derby this year, although it was a topic of discussion canceling the Derby was never a serious possibility," stated Thomas.
Adair County Emergency Manager Greg Thomas also informed the court that Adair County will participate in a statewide disaster exercise on August 2, 3, and 4, of this year and the mock situations the county may face include a swine flu pandemic, a terrorist situation, or possibly a shooter on the campus at one of public schools or at Lindsey Wilson College.
Columbia-Adair County Economic Development Authority Director Sue Stivers addressed the court that there are several companies looking to locate in the county.
"While industrial recruitment is slow, there are five prospective companies looking at Adair County and have inquired about locating here," Stivers said.
Stivers also informed the court that the biggest emphasis of the authority has been local businesses grow and in placing 27 individual workers in jobs.
"That may not sound like a lot, but if you were to think of it as one new employer hiring 27 people, then that's exciting," stated Stivers.
The court was also given a full demonstration of the new Adair County Government website by Shamarie Claiborne.
Claiborne informed the court that the website is designed to connect the people of Adair County with the leaders of county and provides a listing of county services, contacts for county officials and departments, minutes of meetings, a calendar for county government events, and a listing for bid announcements.
According to Claiborne it will also include a monthly report from the county judge executive.
To view the new website got to www. adairconnection.com.
Under the recommend-ation of Adair County Judge Ann Melton, the court approved moving part-time 911 dispatcher Crystal Redmon to a full-time position at a rate of $8.50 per hour and hired Margaret Gadberry and Sheila Wood as part-time 911 dispatchers at a rate of $8.00 per hour.
Judge Melton also informed the court that three more dispatchers, one full time and two more part-time would need to be hired at next month's meeting.
In addition to the dispatcher the court also hired four part-time deputy jailers under the recommendation of Adair County Jailer William "Bug" Knight.
The court hired include, Pam Burton, Travis Barling, Brandon Willis, and Brian Morris, all at a rate of $8.00 per hour.
Knight also informed the court that the jail billed a total $96,149.86 for the month of May.
Knight then told the court that the air conditioning system at the jail broke down and a new compressor had to be installed.
Judge Melton told the court due to the hot weather it was an emergency situation and did not require a bid.
Knight told the court that unit will be good through this year and possibly next year but will have to be replaced in the near future.
The court also approved the 2009-2010 budget with total of $4,694,680.32 for the next fiscal year that begins on July 1, 2009.
The upcoming budget includes three $10,000 contributions to the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia-Adair County Economic Development Authority and a new fund for Parks and Recreation.
The court also awarded several bids including Shofner Pest Control for pest control, Davis Distributing Co. for road tile, Gaddie-Shamrock for chip and seal, cold patch, crushed stone and hot mix and Hudson Materials for oil products.
The court also approved to pay $3,000 for blacktopping the parking lot at the Senior Citizens Center.
According to Judge Melton the Columbia City Council is expected to match the amount at the July meeting and an additional $9,600 will come from the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.
The Green River Animal Shelter gave a sad report to the court for the month of May as 143 animals were put to sleep because of low adoption rates.
According to the report only 27 of the 268 animals taken into the facility were adopted out while rescue groups took an additional 36.
In other GRAS business the court approved a recommendation by Judge Melton to appoint Columbia Veterinarian Dr. Jacob Feese shelter board.
Judge Melton also unveiled the design for the new address markers and frames for the Adair County Courthouse and the Adair County Annex Building.
According to Judge Melton the wooden frames were made by Old Craftsman Antiques and Furniture of the Jericho community in Adair County and have been weather proofed to protect the wood from the weather.
In the reading of the roads the court approved the first reading to remove Hope Lane in from the county maintenance and another to established Bumblebee Lane off Creek Bend Road as a private road name.
The court also approved a second reading to establish McGaha Lane off Hardesty Road and another to establish Boyles Lane off Jones Road as private passageways.
Judge Melton and the members of the fiscal court also recognized the Adair County Middle School Future Problem Solving team certificates of achievement.
Magistrate Sammy Baker presented the awards to Coach Brett Reliford and team members, Alison Feese, Abby Walker, and Emmalee Baker and Roslin Wilson.
Adair County Solid Waste Coordinator A.L. Sinclair returned to court for the first time this year after returning from medical leave.
Sinclair praised the work of Bill Padgett and others during his absence and said that the litter abatement program is in good shape.
According to Sinclair, "There is $17,048.10 remaining in funds and that means we'll have a great PRIDE fall clean up," commented Sinclair.