Christian County Fiscal Court and its squires took several recommendations from the E-911 Board into consideration Tuesday morning, before unanimously approving a bevy of measures to improve services and response.
Chiefly among them: the $70,000 purchase of two radio consoles for the Emergency Communications Center — which serves as a public safety answering point for all of the Hopkinsville-Christian County area.
Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam noted this discussion stemmed from a very specific need, and Magistrate Phillip Peterson provided further explanation.
Peterson added that they will be converting and expanding the ECC area into a comprehensive dispatch center, a conference/meeting room, and an expansion into the small training and meeting room.
Magistrates also approved housekeeping costs for data collection and GPS subscription, in order to maintain current triangulation.
In other court news:
— Gilliam and magistrates made clear the importance of the annual Christian County Senior Citizens Center Fish Fry Fundraiser. Planned for 4:30-6:30 PM Thursday, October 19, at 1402 West 7th Street, tickets are $15 with a menu of fish, white beans, cole slaw, fries, hushpuppies, a dessert, and a glass of tea or water.
Those who donate $250 or more can become a sponsor of the event, and that process begins with a phone call to Darrell Gustafson at (270) 881-8244, or Kelly Martin at (270) 885-6428.
Jim Fleming, solid waste enforcement officer, called the secret recipe “good, good,” while Magistrate Rich Liebe thanked past and future supporters of the special day.
Carry out is available.
— Per Magistrate J.E. Pryor, Jeffers Bend’s “Torchlight Tales” with the Bell Witch Costume Affair is planned for 6 PM October 21. It’s $5 per car load, and the expectation is a large crowd.
— Magistrate John Bruce noted the last fish fry for Crofton and Gordon Park is planned for October 27.
— Human Rights Commission Executive Director Raychel Farmer said they’re in the “final planning stages” for the HRC Unity Breakfast, which is scheduled for 7:30 AM Thursday, October 26 at The Bruce in Hopkinsville. Furthermore, at 6 PM this Thursday at the Pennyroyal Area Museum, it is the joint effort with the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County, in which The Supper Club will enjoy Indian cuisine with Dr. Paresh and Mona Sheth. It’s $10 per person, and tickets can be purchase at PAM, or online at Eventbrite.
Farmer also noted the Compassion Club and its “Building Belonging with Books” club will next meet at 6 PM November 9 in the PAM, where they will discuss “Midnight’s Children” by Salman Rushdie. This books is available at the PAM for a discount of $10.
— Magistrate Maggie Ferguson informed the court that with two more celebrations Tuesday, she will eclipse 100 matrimonial services officiated by Christian County Fiscal Court. Gilliam laughed, and told Ferguson she had a “long way to go” before she surpassed former Christian County “Love” Judge-Executive Steve Tribble, who during his 28-year tenure oversaw more than 11,000 weddings and nuptials.
— Magistrate Russ Guffey also informed the court that an update is soon coming about a bridge replacement at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West.
— On a mission from Todd, Christian, Trigg and Caldwell counties, Chris Jung and Cody Noffsinger brought their “Blues Brothers” shtick to the court, hoping to levy more goodwill and support for the United Way of the Pennyrile annual campaign. Looking to surpass a goal of $700,000 by February 20, 2024, Christian County is home to several of the umbrella’s 18 programs. Christian County’s government division has long been a strong arm of fundraising efforts.
