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Manchester Enterprise - 6.5.26 · Eastern Kentucky Newspapers

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Speaker 1: Now we turn to the Manchester Enterprise to read news
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from and around Manchester. Your reader today is Jim Rice.
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We will begin with the addition dated June third, twenty
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twenty six. As a reminder, RADIOI is a reading service
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intended for people who are blind or have other disabilities
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that make it difficult to read printed material. Twenty five
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point five percent in raises over the last ten years,
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two percent raise Clay teachers starting pay now highest in
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the region. Manchester Clay County Board of Education employees ROW
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receive a two percent pay increase for the upcoming school year,
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continuing a decade long effort by districtly leaders to improve
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compensation for both certified and classified staff. The latest race
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brings the total salary increases approved by the board over
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the past ten years to twenty five point five percent,
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a milestone board member says reflects a commitment to investing
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in the people who serve the district students every day.
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The increase will cost approximately eight hundred and twenty two thousand,
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four hundred and forty four dollars and ninety five cents
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and applies to alle certified and classified employees. The RAYS
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also moves Clay County teachers to the top of the
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regional salary scale among neighboring districts. Under the new salary schedule,
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a beginning teacher with the Rank three certification will earn
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forty three thousand, seven hundred and seventeen dollars in Clay County,
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compared to forty two thousand, seven hundred and forty one
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dollars in Laurel County. Jackson County also approved a two
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percent raise this year, bringing its teachers salary to forty
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two thousand, nine hundred four dollars, while Knox County starting
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salary stands at thirty eight thousand, five hundred ninety four dollars.
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Superintendent William Sexton credited the board for making employee compensation
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a priority year after year. Quote, I want to thank
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our board for their continued dedication to our employees unquote,
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Sexton said. Quote. Over the years, they have consistently demonstrated
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how much they value the people who work in this district,
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whether it's teachers, instructional assistants, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers,
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or office staff. This has allowed us to remain competitive
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and continue attracting and retaining quality people who make a
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difference in the lives of our students. Quote. Board member
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Anthony Lovett said, the impact of the razes has been
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felt throughout the district. Quote, these races have truly changed
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lives unquote, love It said. Quote When you look back
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over the last decade and see what our employees were
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making compared to where they are today, it's remarkable. We
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have teachers, bus drivers, instructional assistants, custodians, and office staff
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who are better able to provide for their families because
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this board has made employee compensate compensation a priority. We
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know our employees are the heart of this district and
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investing them in them is one of the best investments
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we can make. Lovett said the board's long term commitment
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to salary increases has helped strengthen employee morale and improved
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the district's ability to recruit and retain quality personnel. Board
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member Leewood Cornett said the board remained focused on ensuring
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employees received every dollar possible. Quote, I've always believed our
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employees deserve every dime we can give them unquote, Cornet said. Quote.
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They work hard every day for our students, and they
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are the reason the district continues to move forward. We
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have made it a priority to reward that dedication whenever
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our finances allow. Quote, Cornet said. The district's current position
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is something he never imagined seeing. Quote. I never dreamed
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we would be in a financial position where we could
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pay our teachers more than Laurel County unquote, he said,
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quote they have a much larger budget and a much
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larger tax base. For Clay County to be able to
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offer starting teacher pay is something our employees should be
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proud of and something this community should be proud of
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as well. The increase continues a trend established by the
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board over the past decade, as district leaders have worked
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to improve employee compensation maintained the district's financial stability. Next article.
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City moves forward on old White Chevrolet property Manchester. After
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extensive discussion and questions from council members, the Manchester City
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Council voted during a special call meeting last week to
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move forward with a purchase agreement for the former White
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Chevrolet property on Old US four twenty one. The proposed
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purchase is part of a long term plan to relocate
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City Hall, the City Garage, and eventually the Manchester Fire
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Department to the site. The property carries a purchase price
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of one point two million dollars. Funding for the acquisition
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was made possible through a one point five million dollar
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allocations secured by Kentucky's Senate President Robert Stivers, who attended
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the meeting to answer questions regarding the funding. Despite support
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for the project, several council members expressed concerns about the
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process and the potential costs associated with renovating the facility.
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Quote I'm not comfortable with the way things have been handled, quote,
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Councilwoman Dorothy Seismore said. At the beginning of the meeting.
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Mayor Steve Collins defended the proposal and noted that the
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city had already brought in an architect to review the property.
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Quote what do you need to know? We had an
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architect come in unquote, Colins said. Sizemore responded that a
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inspections were needed before moving forward. Quote, we need a
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structural engineer to review the property first, unquote, she said.
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According to the city attorney Jenna Jackson, signing a purchase
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agreement would allow the city time to perform inspections and
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conduct additional due diligence before making a final commitment. Quote.
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Buyer's due diligence gives us the right to do all
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inspections and reviews after the agreement is signed unquote, Jackson explained.
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She further clarified that signing the agreement would not obligate
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the city to complete the purchase. Quote, we are not
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signing a deed with this contract unquote, Jackson said. Council
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members toured the former dealership property last Tuesday. The facility
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is being considered as a replacement for the city's current
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municipal complex, which includes city Hall in the city garage.
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Colins said the city garage has become structurally unsound, while
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the current location also limits future growth. He added that
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relocating city operations would create additional opportunities for expansion at
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Raleigh's Stinson Park. Quote I don't think we are ever
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going to find this opportunity again, unquote, Colin said. Coun
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councilman Mark Deaton agreed, saying the property's value extends beyond
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the existing buildings. Quote the land alone is worth the
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price unquote did you say size More questioned the cost
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of renovating the facility and ask for more specific figures
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before moving forward. Quote, we need to know what is
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going to cost us to renovate unquote, she said. Collins
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estimated the city has approximately six hundred thousand dollars available
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for renovations, including the remaining three hundred thousand dollars from
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the Stuiver's allocation and another three hundred thousand dollars generated
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from the sale of Big Hickory golf course. The mayor
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stress that the city intends to approach renovations conservatively. Quote
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we want it nice, but we aren't going to break
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the bank on renovation. Colin said, quote, I've worked too
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hard in three years to get this city in good
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financial shape to blow it. I've killed myself for three
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years doing things to be able to do things like this.
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Have you ever seen the city in a financial situation
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to be able to do this? Unquote? Councilman Betty Meredith responded,
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quote not since I've been in the city council unquote.
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Collins also indicated he believes the city could initially occupy
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the building with relatively minor improvements. I think fifty thousand
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dollars would easily get us into the new location unquote,
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he said. Councilwoman Alma Fae Gregory expressed disappointment with the
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amount of office space available in the proposed facility. Quote,
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I was disappointed there wasn't more room for city offices unquote,
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Gregory said. Discussion also focused on how the real location
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would occur if the purchase were completed. Quote, we will
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move the city garage first unquote. Colin said, then we
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can start with the city hall aspect the Mayor's set.
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A second phase of the project would involve seeking funding
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to construct a new fire station at the site. Currently,
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the fire department occupies property owned by the Clay County
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Board of Education as part of the municipal Complex. Councilman
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Charles Dobber Weaver suggested the city considered purchasing its current
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location at the former Manchester Elementary School property from the
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Board of Education instead of building a new fire station.
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Quote I'm saying we look at buying them both. Weaver said,
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what if we could purchase this property for let's say
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three hundred and fifty thousand. A new fire department will
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cost six hundred thousand to seven hundred thousand. We buy
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this location, we won't have to spend that money. We
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could even rent this property and still move city Hall
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to that location. That way, we saved three hundred thousand
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to four hundred thousand dollars. I want to do what's
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best for everybody. Unquote. Councilman Earl Owens supported exploring both options.
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Quote I would love to see the city purchase both properties. Quote,
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Owen said, moved the city garage as soon as possible unquote.
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Council members later agreed to meet with the Clay County
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Board of Education to discuss the possibility of purchasing the
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city's current location. That discussion took place during the Board
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of Educations meeting Monday night, and the board said they
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would entertain selling the property. Following discussion, the council agreed
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to enter into a purchase agreement for the former White
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Chevrolet property, allowing the city to begin inspections environmental issues
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and further evaluate the project before making a final decision
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on the acquisition. Next article, Bridging the past and future
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land of swinging Bridges draws statewide attention Manchester in parts
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of eastern Kentucky. When heavy rain sends low water crossings underwater,
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historic pedestrian swinging bridges become more than a scenic attraction.
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They become a lifeline. That reality was front and center
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this week as Robert Steivers joined local leaders, tourism officials,
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and members of the meet Me for an up close
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tour of several historic bridges across Clay County following the
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passage of Senateville two sixty one during the twenty twenty
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six legislative session. The four hour tour through the region
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known as quote Land of Swinging Bridges quote, highlighted the
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importance of the structures to everyday life, Appalachian history, and
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the growing tours and opportunities surrounding Eastern Kentucky's unique infrastructure.
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Participants visited several well known bridges, including Goose Creek Bridge,
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Rocky Branch Bridge, Ante Past Bridge, an Old Home Place bridge,
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structures that continue to serve local residents while increasingly drawing
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visitors interested in the region's culture and outdoor experiences. Quote.
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These bridges are more than structures crossing water. They are
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part of who we are, Steither said, quote For generations,
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they have connected families, communities, and landscapes in a way
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that is distinct to Eastern Kentucky. Once you stand on
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these bridges and hear the stories behind them, you understand
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they are part of the heartbeat of this region. The
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newly passed legislation allows county fiscal courts to maintain pedestrian
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swinging bridges, authorizes cities to use public funds for preservation efforts,
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and extends liability protections to landowners who lease property to
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local governments for bridge maintenance and public access. For lifelong
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Clay County and Will Bowing, the bridges remain essential during
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floods and emergencies. Bowling grew up on a farm across
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the river from the roadway in Clay County and said
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he still relies on the bridges to access family during
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high water events. Quote if the bridge is flooded or
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something of that nature and I want to go over
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and see my parents, I'll park at the swinging bridge
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and walk across, Bowling said. Steivers said those situations are
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common throughout the mountains of eastern Kentucky. Quote they'll park
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where we are parked because that is above the floodplain.
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Or they'll park over here and walk across the bridge
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so they can bring groceries or whatever. Unquote, Steivers said,
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quote it's food, medicine, your opportunity to healthcare, your job.
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You've got to have this bridge to get out. The
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legislation also adds pedestrians swinging bridges to Kentucky's Recreational Use Statue,
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limiting liability for landowners and local governments that open bridges
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for public enjoyment. In the past, we've always been happy
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to share the bridges with folks, but it was always
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something in the back of your mind, what happens if
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somebody gets hurt. Roland said, Having that recreational liability protection,
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but also some of the dollars to upkeep the bridges
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is absolutely huge. Mike White, executive director of one Clay
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County and president of the Clay County Historical Society, said
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preserving the bridges is about honoring the region's past while
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building to the future. These bridges tell the story of
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Eastern Kentucky resilience and ingenuity. White said for many communities
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they were once essential for getting to school, church, and work. Today,
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they remain a source of local pride in our becoming
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and attraction for visitors looking to discover something authentic. White
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said the legislation gives community these more flexibility to preserve
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the landmarks while strengthening tourism opportunities. Retired County foreman Tommy Crawford,
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who helped construct many of the bridges beginning in nineteen ninety,
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said each structure was carefully planned to serve isolated communities.
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Quote one bridge could serve a community of maybe ten
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families unquote, Crawford said, quote mostly where we built them
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was where it would serve the best for the community unquote.
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Tourism leaders say they though some bridges are now helping
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create new economic opportunities in eastern Kentucky. Rebecca Leshiger, executive
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director of Louisville Downtown Partnership, joined the tour in said
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the bridges bridges offer visitors and experience unique to Appalachia. Quote.
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People visiting Louisville are increasingly looking for adventures that take
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them deeper into Kentucky's culture, landscapes, and recreational opportunities, Leshikar said. Quote.
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Eastern Kentucky's swinging bridges provide that opportunity while creating new
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reasons to explore small towns local businesses in the character
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of this rest. Bowling believes the bridges represent both preservation
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and progress. Quote. This really is kind of the next
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path forward for us, Bowey said, quote it's another tool
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in the tool chest for those of us who still
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live here. It's making things better for people who come
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to see it and for those of us who lives
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here at the same time. Unquote, Steivers said, Senate Bill
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two sixty one ultimately protects more than infrastructure. Quote. This
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was about showing these bridges with pride and helping more
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people discover what Eastern Kentucky has to offerote Steivers said,
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quote these are destinations in their own right. We want
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visitors to leave with a deeper appreciation for this region
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and come back again for a distinctive connection to everything
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these communities have to offer. In sports, summer basketball kicks off.
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Four starters return for Tiger basketball. Manchester coach Michael Jones
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and the Tigers are hard at work preparing for the
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upcoming twenty twenty six twenty twenty seven season, as they
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have already begun their summer basketball workload. Returning four starters
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with more returneys from the bench, This is a Tiger
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squad who believe they can be right in the mix
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for a region championship. Coach Jones is in the process
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of mixing lineups and seeing what meshes this summer as
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the Tigers not only practice, but compete in games against
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interregion competition as well. But we met with our players
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and presented them with a couple of options for summer basketball.
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Unquote said Jones. Quote we returned four players who started
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and played meaningful varsity minutes at different points last season,
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but we also have eight other players we believe have
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earned an opportunity to compete against varsity level competition this summer.
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Jones mentioned potentially keeping all twelve kids together, rotating them heavily,
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and having everyone play fifteen to sixteen minutes per game.
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The other option they had was to split into groups
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of six, mix up combinations throughout the summer and allow
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players to play roughly thirty two to thirty six minutes
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each game. Quote the players unanimously chose the second option,
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smile Jones. We as a staff felt that approach would
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maximize development, give everyone more meaningful game experience, and allow
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us to evaluate different lineups and combos throughout the summer.
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In competition, thus far, the Tigers have saw groups earn
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a win over Madison Central and Shelby Valley. This past week,
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one group played Bell County to a tie, and another
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group came up just short against NOC Central. Quote. Overall,
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I've been really pleased with what we've seen so far,
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quote said Jones. Quote. We're installing a brand new offense
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and completely new terminology, and we've only scratched the surface
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of what this group is capable of. There's still a
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lot to learn and a lot of work to do,
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but I love the potential of this team in the
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direction we're heading. Our younger group has also continued to
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improve each time they take the floor. They've managed to
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pick up wins over Shelby Valley, Bell County, and Harlan,
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with their only loss coming against Madison Central. It's been
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exciting to watch their growth and I'm looking forward to
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seeing how they continue to develop throughout the offseason. Next article.
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Future looks bright for Tiger Baseball Manchester. It's never too
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early to look ahead, especially when the future is bright.
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Coach Jason Smith and the Tiger season just ended, but
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as he always does, he's already looking forward to beginning
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preparations for the next season. The Tigers typically don't begin
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their true offseason workouts until October, but coach Smith and
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his staff will be continuing their work toward bringing a
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region title back to Manchester. Clay County loses some fantastic
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players to graduation and Taylor, markham Aiden, Baby Bear Wagers
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and Jack Finley. We will miss those three tremendously, said
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coach Smith. Taylor is one of the best of don
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the Black and Gold. He is a great athlete, is
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even a better young man. Baby Bear was a driving
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force behind three sports at CCAHS the last four years,
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and we'll do wonderful things at Pikeville. Jack came out
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of this year and had a great season after having
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not played for some time. I will miss him dearly
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on the field and the golf course. Both returning for
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the Tigers as a plethora of young talent as cad
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And Grubb and Kyron Barnes will enter their freshman seasons
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for Clay County. The two eighth graders both for integral
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parts of Tigers this past season, and we'll be relied
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upon on heavily moving forward. Stiles Hyde and Cooper Hacker
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will enter their sophomore seasons and we'll see plenty of
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action incoming juniors. Connor Kaplinger, Jacob Burdeen, Kendrick Bowing, Gunner Jones,
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and Mason Roart will continue to see the field and
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produce for the Tigers. The next crop seniors are Jonathan Smith,
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Brody Hooker, Aiden Lovett, three more members of last year's
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team who will be expected to leave the Tigers next
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I have high expectations for those three, as well as
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the rest of our roster, said coach Smith. Each of
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those kids are wonderful kids to coach and great ballplayers.
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I think they are ready to lead us next year
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as we chase another regional title. This concludes the reading
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of the Manchester Enterprise. Your reader has been Jim Rice.
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Now please stay tuned for continued programming on behalf of
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everyone here at radio. I thank you for listening. We
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hope you have a good day.