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Morgan Hensley

Staff Writer

Evarts City Council held their monthly meeting Tuesday evening. Several topics were discussed and decided upon during this meeting.

Bookkeeper David Smith read his monthly report which was approved. Smith then stated he would be taking a year off from doing the taxes for the city of Evarts.

“I’m not taking a break from doing bookkeeping. I’m taking a break from doing taxes,”said Smith. “Troy Gaw & Associates and I will be combining offices. It’s nice to have someone handle payroll so my office can tackle more important issues.”

Police Chief Lupe Blas gave the monthly police report for June 2012 noting many different topic. One of which being Officer William Clogston will graduate from the Department of Criminal Justice Basic training July 2o.

“We are proud of him,” said Chief Blas. “He was really committed to this. It isn’t easy to go through this course.”

Chief Blas brought to the attention of the council a small problem the city is facing. There have been several juvenile curfew violators within the past month.

“How we’re dealing with them is we are picking them up and giving them rides home,” said Blas. “We tell their parents that there may be charges later on. We are doing our best to deal with this situation.”

Area recruiter for the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy Dexter Day was present at the meeting asking council members to help get the word out that the academy needs community support. Day also expressed the need for mentors as well.

“One thing we need is support from our communities. We need mentors. Mentors are very important for the program. We need to keep these kids on track,” said Day. “We want to help the kids that are failing in school and are close to dropping out. The academy opens this Sunday and we will be enrolling kids until then. So if you know anyone who may meet that criteria — please encourage them to talk to me. I will come to them.”

Also approved during the meeting was a petition by the residents of Keister Spur Street in North Evarts to make their street a dead end. During the past school year there have been noted damages done to proprieties along that street by motorist trying to pass each in such a narrow lane.

Council members also approved their official support to obtain a new veterans hospital facility located within the Central Appalachia area. As of now, veterans must travel to Lexington or out of state for medical attention or hospitalization.

Reach Morgan Hensley at 606-573-4510 or mhensley@heartlandpublication.com