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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

The Evarts Tourist and Convention Commission met on Monday to discuss ways to spend the $10,000 in coal severance funds which will be donated to the commission from Harlan County Fiscal Court over the next two years. The funds are earmarked for adventure tourism in the city.

“We’ve thought about trying to purchase a digital sign, which can be used to advertise area events,” said Shackleford. “The sign comes with a control box, which I believe is a laptop computer. These signs are going up everywhere and they are highly visible to the public. We just need a one-sided one. If we buy one from Corbin or Lexington we may not get the service we need. If we could work out a good deal locally I feel certain they would be available to service the sign when needed. “

Lamb said the sign will have to be placed within 500 feet of the sign’s control box.

“We need to find somewhere in the city where we can use it where it will benefit the most,” said Janice Napier, chairwoman.

It was noted that at the January meeting three city council members will be present to discuss purchasing new Christmas lights for the city. Shackleford said the city’s lights are approximately 13 years old and “in bad shape.”

Commission secretary Kristi Lamb suggested asking council members to help with the project by purchasing one light each month, along with the commission purchasing one each month. This would total 20 new lights, which can be displayed throughout the city during the 2013 Christmas season.

Shackleford said he and commission member Roger Webb drove around the city to look for things needed. He noted gravel was needed at the city’s RV campgrounds. He said a water spigot at the north Evarts RV park needed repairs.

“The sign at the sewer dump also needs put back up. It has been knocked down,” said Shackleford.

During the financial report discussion, Lamb told commission members Evarts Funeral Home donated $250 to help with the Christmas parade expenses.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com