Tax Court recognizes former judge and decides to put regulations online
Published 14:15 Monday, August 12, 2024
- Judge Trille Bottom (left) recognized former Judge Tony Wilder (right) for establishing the county’s paid EMS program. (Photo courtesy of Fiscal Court)
The Tax Court, at its July 23 meeting, recognized former Judge Executive Tony Wilder for his help in establishing the first paid ambulance service in Boyle County 30 years ago.
This year, EMS celebrates its 30th anniversary as a paid service in Boyle County. Wilder first advocated funding for an EMS service for the judiciary in 1993. Judge Trille Bottom said the idea was new and met with resistance.
“This issue faced a lot of opposition due to financial constraints, potential tax increases and other things that upset people,” Bottom said. “Yet he persevered and won the election and fought to provide quality service to the citizens of Boyle County with paid personnel to respond in the event of an emergency. This one innovative idea has helped save the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of Boyle County residents over the past 30 years.”
Before the introduction of the paid service, all paramedics in the county were volunteers who had other duties and therefore had limited options.
“I think we needed to improve our quality of care because we were losing people. Not because we didn’t care and those people didn’t have the energy and passion, but because we just weren’t able to provide the care,” Wilder said. “That’s what motivated me to do this, and of course there were problems. Some of our volunteer people may have felt bothered by it, like they weren’t doing the right thing or providing enough care. That was a tough thing for me.”
After many efforts to get it off the ground, the paid program offered certified advanced life support services, something Wilder said was unheard of at the time. It includes on-site paramedics who can do anything the emergency department can do.
Bottom presented Wilder with a large plaque. The court also recognized the members of the first rescue team in 1994: Paul Roution, Malcolm Miller, Tony Hall, Chane Christopher, Marcia Frontz, Patsy Shepperson, Allen Bottoms, Jim Rinaldi, Ronnie Hellard, Joseph Barboa, Marshall Singleton, JC Pendleton, Mike Peyton, Jeff Stith, Lee Burton, Johnny Cooley, Jeff Reardon, Randy Luckett, Brad Ellis and Gail Bowling. Some were present, others could not make it.
The court approved a contract with American Legal Publishing to make Boyle County’s ordinances available online. American Legal Publishing will post them on the Fiscal Court website and review each ordinance to ensure it is up to date with any changes in state law. The court approved the motion to approve the agreement, which cannot exceed $18,000.
The court has granted a motion to send a letter to Park Commissioner Russ Meyer regarding the property behind the historic Crawford House in Perryville.
Judge Tom Ellis explained that the property is a natural area that backs onto the Chaplin River and was once the site of a Boy Scout camp. The land is located behind the Crawford House, which was recently purchased by a private individual and is currently being restored.
Several years ago, the land was owned by the Boyle County Fiscal Court, and a separate parcel containing the Boy Scout camp was privately owned. Now the property is owned by the Kentucky Department of Revenue, and it has fallen into disrepair.
The concrete block building on the property has deteriorated significantly over several decades. The surrounding land is completely overgrown with wild honeysuckle and other invasive plants and trees.
The land is historic because Confederate soldiers camped here during the Battle of Perryville in the Civil War. The letter demanded that the state give up the land.
The county hopes to reclaim the land and turn it into a park. Ellis said they want to remove the overgrowth, consider restoring the old concrete building and turn it into a community space. The public could rent the park, like they do at Constitution Square. The park would be managed by the Department of Public Works.
EMS Director Mike Rogers presented EMS personnel with a challenge coin for saving a life. He recognized Amanda Taylor, Devon Meaux, Kassi Centers, Billy Holder and Josh Ryder for their heroism.
EMS Challenge Coins are awarded to crew members who save the life of a patient who has no pulse but survives thanks to life-saving measures by the crew.
In other matters, the Court states:
- A motion was passed for the county to purchase the Fred Cain property at 225 North Stewarts Lane for $2.6 million.
- Passed a resolution ending the solar moratorium. The court had recently passed amendments to the Solar Ordinance regarding the rules governing solar and wind power plants for electricity generation.
- Chris Stratton was presented with a service certificate for 15 years of service.
- Appointment of Teresa Nolet as a member of the Ethics Committee. Her term of office will end on 31 December 2027.
- Brian Staed and Angela Frisby were appointed to the Fire Board. Brian Staed’s term expires June 30, 2026. Angela Frisby’s term expires June 30, 2027.
- Heard an update from Planning and Zoning Director Mikaela Gerry. She said her biggest site plan is a hotel next to Super 8. There was also a zoning change on HWY 127 and Knob Lick Road.
The court granted a motion to have Gerry create regulations for medical cannabis in Boyle County.
The justices also discussed why the county’s zoning code changed from 5-acre lots to 1-acre lots. Judge Jason Cullen said he believed 1-acre lots were too small to subdivide. Judge Tom Ellis expressed concern that high land prices would discourage families from building homes.
Gerry said returning to 5-acre lots would require a change in the zoning code. By a majority vote, the court passed a motion to consider returning to 5-acre lots instead of one acre. Justices Tom Ellis and Paula Bodner voted against.
