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Fiscal Court makes no changes in salary schedule

Monday, 18 June 2012 21:06 Written by Mark Grayson
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Big Sandy Resources gets gravel bid; County tables 'gunslinger's' request on carrying weapons in courthouse...

Magistrate Earl Boggs makes a point as Judge/executive John Osborne looks on.Magistrate Earl Boggs makes a point as Judge/executive John Osborne looks on.

LOUISA,Ky.-- Yesterday's Lawrence County Fiscal Court meeting lasted over three hours which included a visit from state representative Rocky Adkins and a lively discussion about accepting taxing districts' budgets if they include tax raises. (See separate story)

But much of the meeting was spent on other matters including the opening of bids for gravel, pipe, and fuel for 2012-13.  Big Sandy Resources, owned by local businessman Jeff Kinser, got most of the gravel bid, Kentucky Underground, from Grayson, Ky. got the pipe bid and Mountain Blacktop the blacktop bid.

All were low bidders.

On the gravel bid the court decided to take the low bid for delivered gravel in categories where it was the low bidder some from Big Sandy Stone, but the gravel picked up by the county will be purchased from Big Sandy Resources, the low bidder in that category.

The court tabled acepting the bid for fuel from DPI, Inc. because it allowed for the company to charge more than the state bid price and magistrates asked county attorney Hogan to look into getting on the state procurement system that is based on the state price and not that of an individual company. 

'Gunslinger' in the courthouse?

James Isaac is attempting to persuade the fiscal court to adhere to what he says are state and federal laws concerning carrying weapons.James Isaac is attempting to persuade the fiscal court to adhere to what he says are state and federal laws concerning carrying weapons.A lengthy discussion took place on the gun carry ordinance that James Isaac asked the county to consider that allows a person to carry unconcealed weapons, also called open carry weapons, in public places including the courthouse, as long as he/she has the license and training and registration. He said several anti-gun groups were attempting to use existing state laws to prohibit the carrying of a sidearm in public and asked the court to pass such an ordinance to keep that from happening.

County Attorney and Sheriff Garrett Roberts quizzed Isaac as to why he wants to come into the counrthouse packing a sidearm. Isaac has apparently had run-ins with officials here at least three times. "This is not about me, it's about enforcing the law," Isaac answered. "This is a right given by the U.S. Constitution."

Hogan said he does not understand why Isaac is so adamant, "There's a lot of dangerous individuals that we deal with on a daily basis especially as prosecutors and law enforcers and I just don't see allowing them to carry .40's on their side when they come to the courthouse," Hogan said. "We have six months to decide on this and we need to look into things like what happens when the new judicial center is finished and how we need to proceed. He noted that carrying weapons in the new judicial center will be prohibited.

The decision on adopting the state law in Lawrence County was tabled pending further investigation.

The court also:

  • Set Salaries for the county's 49 employees for FY 12-13 at the same level they are this year with no discussion. Vote 4-0.
  • Approved Resolution prioritizing HB 265 Coal Severance Line Item Projects for FY 12-13 and FY 13-14
  • Approved Authorizing Resolution for HB 265 Coal Severance Line Item Projects  FY 12-13 and FY 13-14
  • Approved Resolution adopting Heaven’s Field Road into the County Road System. This road is currently owned by Bill and Wanda Cassady as part of their tourist attraction at Fallsburg.
  • Approved KACo Workers Compensation Renewal Rates FY 12-13
  • Approved Deed of Transfer  -  Blaine Community Center & Park. Judge Osborne explained that the city of Blaine is having financial problems and the county has agreed to take over the park and its maintenance in order to keep it open for the public. "A lot of people use it for walking and exercising and other community events so we really need to keep it going," Magistrate earl Boggs, who represents the district, said. Osborne said the county has been cutting the grass and maintaining the park since early spring, anyway. Hogan said the county needs only to accept the property which they did by unanimous vote.
  • Approved a $1,000 donation to the 2012 Lawrence County Septemberfest.
  • County Attorney Mike Hogan said the county is currently involved in a class action lawsuit along with other counties to recoup losses that took place during the financial meltdown on Wall Street in 2008. He said the transferring of deeds from one equity company to another cost the county $41 each time which has been contested in the action. He recommended the county file its own lawsuit to the same effect which would make the process faster. "This won't cost the county anything extra, you pay a county attorney and that's what we're here for," Hogan said. The court inanimously agreed.
  • Tabled a review of the county's Personnel Policy & Procedures and Administrative Code.
  • Heard requests for relief from homeowner Don Essex about the condition of the roads in his area of Rt. 32 near Fallsburg. He said logging trucks have torn the road up making it difficult for people who live in the area to travel. Osborne said the county is doing all it can and when funds become available the roads will be fixed. But, Essex questioned if the truck owners should have to fix the roads back instead of the taxpayers. Court members discussed the matter and the general consensus is that a weight limit is already in place but is almost impossible to enforce by the county. Sheriff Garrett Roberts does not have the $100,000 scales to weigh the trucks so the matter goes back to the state Dept. of Transportation.
  • A Busseyville area resident asked when and if the sewer lines will be extended into that area. "I understand it is going to the top on the hill at the county garage and stops, how can we get it extended to our area?" he asked. Osborne said funding for such a project would have to come from Frankfort and that he should speak to his representative. 
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    Comments  

     
    #11 glockman 2012-06-26 13:29
    Butch and Scott Bruins, glad to see at least 2 people in this county with a brain..good work guys.
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    #10 glockman 2012-06-26 13:28
    Quoting sharonk:
    There should always be no weapons of any kind in a court house. and I agree with Steve why? Is it so important for this Guy to carry a weapon into the court house. And how quick would he be willing to pull it on someone. So NO!!! Not a good idea!!!

    Criminals dont care if you have a "weapons ban" or not. A person who wants to legally carry isnt up to no good...they just want to proctect themselves..And it is important because it is a right..do you have any rights that you would like to give up?
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    #9 glockman 2012-06-26 13:26
    Quoting Ruth Colvin:
    When I took my weapons test you could not carry a gun in many places including a courthouse.

    JUDICIAL...NOT just a "court" house..Learn the difference...
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    #8 glockman 2012-06-26 13:25
    Quoting Steve:
    I have to agree,with the Garrett,an Hogan,on carrying weapons of any kind in the court house.I am for gun rights,but some places are not meant to carry weapons.Tensions are to high in some cases in court,and to have a group of rednecks with guns,will not help.The court should have ruled this down,not give it a second thought...If this person is [censored]y enough,to come before the court and ask for this...how [censored]y would he be to pull a weapon in court...

    You are an idiot. Issac isnt asking to carry a gun in a JUDICIAL center, he is asking to carry in the court house..Dont be a [censored]ing moron and confuss COURT house and JUDICIAL as the same thing. Once again for you dip [censored]s..he isnt asking to carry where a judge, jury, defendant.etc etc would be.
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    #7 Yes they can... 2012-06-25 20:21
    Attorney General Opinion

    http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/agopinions/KYAGOp97_9.pdf
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    #6 Yes they can... 2012-06-25 20:12
    237.115 Construction of KRS 237.110 -- Prohibition by local government units of carrying concealed deadly weapons in governmental buildings -- Restriction on criminal penalties.

    http://www.lrc.ky.gov/krs/237-00/115.pdf
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    #5 Butch 2012-06-23 13:12
    The state law says you can not carry a CONCEALED weapon into a courtROOM. A weapon that is not concealed is perfectly legal in a county building, even a courthouse. Courthouses have many offices that are not courtrooms. Everyone needs to read the law a little more closely, especially the county attorney. The County government has no authority to prohibit openly carried weapons anywhere. The General Assembly has reserved that area of legislation completely to themselves.
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    #4 Scott Bruins 2012-06-23 11:18
    There is a whole lot of misinformation in this article due to poor journalism. Here are the facts according to the law:

    1)There is a difference between a county courthouse and a judicial center. The former is more of a business office, the latter is where court proceedings take place.

    2)According to KY state law, counties may not ban openly carried weapons in a county courthouse. James Isaac is not advocating a new law, but simply advocating that the county abide by the law.

    3)Weapons can and are prohibited where court proceedings take place. No one is advocating otherwise.
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    #3 sharonk 2012-06-21 19:06
    There should always be no weapons of any kind in a court house. and I agree with Steve why? Is it so important for this Guy to carry a weapon into the court house. And how quick would he be willing to pull it on someone. So NO!!! Not a good idea!!!
    Quote
     
     
    #2 Ruth Colvin 2012-06-21 14:21
    When I took my weapons test you could not carry a gun in many places including a courthouse.
    Quote
     
     
    #1 Steve 2012-06-19 12:00
    I have to agree,with the Garrett,an Hogan,on carrying weapons of any kind in the court house.I am for gun rights,but some places are not meant to carry weapons.Tensions are to high in some cases in court,and to have a group of rednecks with guns,will not help.The court should have ruled this down,not give it a second thought...If this person is [censored]y enough,to come before the court and ask for this...how [censored]y would he be to pull a weapon in court...
    Quote
     

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