Joe P. Asher

Staff Writer

The Harlan City Council voted to approve a new Harlan County Emergency Operations Manual. The new plan was presented by Emergency Management Director David McGill during the council’s meeting on Monday.

“The county had to re-do their emergency operations plan. We’ve got this done. The county judge (Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop) and the magistrates have approved this plan already. I am coming before you all to see if you want to sign off on this plan and adopt this as your guidance in the event of a disaster,” said McGill.

McGill said there have been a few changes since the old plan. The manual has been updated to reflect changes in personnel as well as changes in the way the manual is organized.

Mayor Danny Howard explained the new manual will bring Harlan up-to-date with current guidelines.

“This falls in line with FEMA guidelines so that we’re current. In (the) case of a catastrophic event happening, we’ve already jumped through the hoops of what FEMA requires,” said Howard.

The council also discussed plans to post signs on some local property showing the property does not conform with city ordinances, and the city intends to take action.

“I wanted a fluorescent green or orange or something that anybody coming down the street would see it,” said Howard. “It shows that we are on that property and we’re working on it. We’re going to do something about it. That helps the neighbors. I know a lot of the neighbors are frustrated with us — I would be. We’re going to get moving on these things.”

In other council activity:

* A motion was made and passed approving the second reading of the budget for the city of Harlan for the next fiscal year.

* The Harlan City Police Department reported 4,057 calls received, 16 accident reports, 115 citations written and a total fuel cost of $3,750.18

* The Harlan City Fire Department reported one residential inspection and 174 man hours of training taken. The department also responded to three structure fires, one trash fire, two motor vehicle accidents and one diesel spill.

* A motion was made and passed changing five parking spaces on Clover Street from Main Street to the Christian Church parking lot from all day parking to one hour parking.

Reach Joe P. Asher at 606-573-4510 or jasher@heartlandpublications.com