Kentucky Department of Parks Commissioner Gerry Van de Meer visited Benham on Monday to serve as a guest speaker during the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce quarterly meeting.

Van de Meer stressed the importance of preserving and maintaining the beauty of Kentucky’s parks.

“Parks were developed to help people enjoy the wonderful features that our state has to offer. We have to be good stewards and protect our parks natural beauty,” he said. “The Kentucky state parks expose us to the wonders of the outdoors. I really believe they are treasures in our own backyard.”

Van de Meer said that the state parks system should be viewed as a valuable commodity to the commonwealth.

“I am convinced that our state parks are our most unique treasure,” Van de Meer said. “Our state parks were originally developed with economic growth and development in mind.”

He added that it is important to preserve the attractions in the Tri-Cities area.

“In Benham’s case, we have to make sure its beauty is preserved for future generations. We are going to do the right thing. We’ll do the best we can in these economic times.”

Van de Meer also said he would like encourage more people to visit one of 52 Kentucky state parks or historic sites. Kentucky also has 17 state resort parks — the most in the nation.

After Van de Meer’s presentation, members of the audience asked questions regarding state attractions in the Tri-Cities area.

One audience member inquired about the completion of the Portal 31 exhibition coal mine.

“It has been a very difficult effort to make Portal 31 as realistic as possible. We apologize for taking so long, but the open date is scheduled for July,” responded Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College President Bruce Ayers. “We are currently working on stop eight of the tour. This stop will be an IMAX experience and will be displaying the sights and sounds of a coal mine. We think the tour will be worth the wait.”

Carl Shoupe, a Benham City Council member, later asked Ayers if the rumored pre-blast surveys in the Benham area would effect the Portal 31 project.

“Prior to their mining in that area they will have to hold community hearings. We will make them aware of any damage that mining may have on the Portal 31 project,” Ayers said. “If they are going to do some mining near the Portal 31 site we will want to be at the hearings.”

Before accepting his position as Kentucky Department of Parks Commissioner in February, Van de Meer served as general manager of the Crowne Plaza Campbell House Inn in Lexington and general manager of the Hilton Suites of Lexington Green. He received the Garner B. Hamson Hotelier of the Year Award in 2003 from the Kentucky Hotel Lodging Association.

“He is a consummate professional and highly respected by Kentucky’s hospitality industry,” said Commerce Secretary Marcheta Sparrow. “We are very fortunate to have him as part of our team.”