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Ban on sale, use of synthetic pot nearly done
A county-wide ban on the possession or sale of synthetic marijuana is on its way to passage.
Simpson Fiscal Court unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance banning the possession or sale of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as synthetic marijuana, at a joint meetin with the Franklin City Commission last Thursday night.
Fiscal Court is expected to hold a second vote on the ordinance at its Feb. 7 meeting.
The Franklin City Commission passed the same ordinance at its meeting Monday night after giving first reading on Jan. 19.
The ordinances will take effect upon their passage and publication.
Fiscal Court East District Magistrate Marty Chandler said he favored the ordinance in order “to protect the children.”
The ordinance says poison control centers, hospitals and emergency room doctors are reporting that individuals using the products banned in the ordinance have experienced dangerous side effects, including convulsions, anxiety attacks, dangerously elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure, vomiting and disorientation.
County Judge/Executive Jim Henderson said the intent of the ordinance is “to make it (synthetic drugs) go away,” and not to fill up the jail.
In other matters on Jan. 19, Simpson County Director of Emergency Management Bob Palmer said the county-wide One Call Now emergency notification system could be operational by the end of January.
The system will be used to send notifications by telephone of approaching severe weather or other possible emergencies. It can also be used to notify residents in certain areas of events, such as boil water advisories.
Palmer said the vendor providing the system is in the process of obtaining resident's telephone numbers.
A test of the system will be sent out when it is operational. Palmer said he believes residents will have the option of removing their phone numbers from the system at the time of test. However, he said he hopes residents will participate.
Fiscal Court and the City Commission approved formation of a joint city-county codes enforcement officer position. The full-time position will be hired on a contract basis and will not be a city or county employee. Funding for the position will be provided by both local governing bodies.
A report was given by Franklin-Simpson Fire Rescue Chief Mark Halcomb and Franklin Police Chief Todd Holder on the recently completed transition of city and county emergency dispatching from the local dispatch center to the Kentucky State Police Post in Bowling Green. Dispatching of all of Simpson County's emergency and non-emergency calls by state police began Jan. 10.
Halcomb said projected costs of the transition are less than expected. Original cost estimates of the transition were placed at $110,000. Halcomb said the transition may actually cost about $103,000. The fire chief said some $26,000 in unused state Homeland Security grant funds will be used to subsidize the cost to the county, leaving between $70,000 and $80,000 to be funded.
It was also noted that costs to upgrade the previous local dispatch center would have exceeded the transition costs.
“The change went without issue, without exception,”Halcomb said.
He also said the actual change-over of radio service from the former local dispatch center to the state police post took 10 seconds.
Holder said of the nine full-time dispatchers at the local dispatch center when the change to KSP was announced last year, four were hired by the state police. Several of the others were hired as dispatchers for area local enforcement agencies, such as the Warren County Sheriff's Department.
“It has been more successful than we ever thought it would be,” Holder said about the transition. “We will have little issues, but we will work them out.”
In addition to dialing 911 during emergencies, the state police dispatch center can be reached by calling 586-8824 or 586-8819.
A lengthy discussion was also held on enforcement of county and city animal control ordinances that were adopted last year.
A West Cedar Street woman – who along with her two small dogs was attacked by a neighbor's three pit bulldogs Dec. 1 – spoke during the meeting. One of the woman's dogs was killed during the attack.
She questioned why the same pit bulldogs were allowed to still run loose after the attack occurred on her property.
Henderson said the pit bulldogs were removed from the neighbor's residence on Jan. 19 after the owner failed to comply with the animal control ordinance.
A West Kentucky Street man was cited for violation of the animal control ordinance after the Dec. 1 attack. He pleaded guilty in Simpson District Court on Dec. 15, and sentencing is set for Feb. 7.
During the discussion, Kim Buck said pit bulldogs have also been running loose in Grainger Village off West Cedar Street.
City Commissioner Henry Stone questioned how the 19-page animal control ordinance could be enforced.
Another city commissioner, Mason Barnes, said the ordinance is “useless if it is not enforced.”
Henderson said enforcement of the ordinance is limited due to available resources and that it was never the intent of the ordinance to have blanket enforcement county-wide at all times. He said residents need to notify authorities of animal control issues so they can be investigated.
Although Simpson County Deputy Sheriff Bart Blythe serves as the county-wide animal control officer, animal control issues should first be reported to the proper law enforcement agency depending upon jurisdiction. Animal control issues in the city should first be reported to Franklin Police and those outside the city limits should reported to the Simpson County Sheriff's Department.
Blythe will be contacted when the issue involves an aggressive animal.
“The number one priority is public safety," Blythe said about animal control calls."
He said the Dec. 1 attack by pit bulldogs that killed a smaller dog on West Cedar Street was the first such incident since the animal control ordinances were adopted. Blythe also said the owner of the pit bulldogs involved in the Dec. 1 attack was given a chance to correct issues involving the animals before they were removed.
The ordinance calls for animals defined as vicious animals, which includes pit bulldogs, to be restrained either on a leash or chain or kept inside a fenced in area.
Blythe said 90 percent of his animal control calls involve pit bulldogs and that he receives calls at all times of the day and night every day of the week.
Members of both governmental bodies agreed that the public needs to be better informed about the animal control ordinance.
Franklin City Manager Kenton Powell said enforcement of the ordinance “will go smoother as more people become more aware of the ordinance.”
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson gave a presentation about the its programs, operating costs and funding sources.
An informal request was made for the city and county to consider providing a future revenue stream of funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson. No action was taken by either governmental body on the funding request.
Boys & Girls Club Treasurer Lydia Latham presented budget figures showing that Boys & Girls Club expenses surpassed revenue by more than $104,900 last year. Expenses in 2011 totaled just over $349,000, while revenue came to $244,145. The club borrowed $105,000 from its line of credit last year.
Income and spending for 2011 were both projected at $383,000. They are estimated at $410,615 in 2012.
Ms. Latham said the Boys & Girls Club is “doing more with less,” referring to the lower than projected income last year. The number of children served by the club continues to increase.
Ms. Latham was asked if the Boys and Girls Club had considered sponsoring bingo games as a means of raising income. Other non-profit organizations, such as the Arts Council, Archives and Renaissance, receive funding from bingo.
Ms. Latham said bingo has been considered but noted that concerns have been voiced that gaming conflicts with portions of the club’s mission.
Boys & Girls Club Chief Professional Officer Jef Goodnight described some of the programs the club offers and gave annual attendance figures since the club opened in 2008.
During 2011, the B&G Club of F-S had an average daily attendance of 170 compared to 158 in 2010, 136 in 2009 and 112 in 2008. Goodnight also said the total annual attendance has increased each year since 2008, climbing from 28,007 in 2008 to 38,412 in 2011.
Goodnight also said the average length of stay has increased from two hours and eight minutes in 2008 to two hours and 57 minutes last year.
“There is a need for the Boys & Girls Club,” Goodnight said.
In addition, Goodnight said the local club has remained opened despite naysayers believing it would close within five years of its opening because “’Franklin is not big enough’ for a Boys & Girls Club.”
Boys & Girls Club Board President Bill Harris said there are several false rumors circulating in the community.
The former judge said the club “is not a baby-sitting service,” it is not just for “poor people,” and it is not operated only by government funding or solely through large individual private donations.
Harris stressed the Boys & Girls Club was not “about to fold up" due to a lack of financing.
He thanked Fiscal Court and the City Commission for their earlier financial support and other forms of support throughout the years.
Simpson Fiscal Court unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance banning the possession or sale of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as synthetic marijuana, at a joint meetin with the Franklin City Commission last Thursday night.
Fiscal Court is expected to hold a second vote on the ordinance at its Feb. 7 meeting.
The Franklin City Commission passed the same ordinance at its meeting Monday night after giving first reading on Jan. 19.
The ordinances will take effect upon their passage and publication.
Fiscal Court East District Magistrate Marty Chandler said he favored the ordinance in order “to protect the children.”
The ordinance says poison control centers, hospitals and emergency room doctors are reporting that individuals using the products banned in the ordinance have experienced dangerous side effects, including convulsions, anxiety attacks, dangerously elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure, vomiting and disorientation.
County Judge/Executive Jim Henderson said the intent of the ordinance is “to make it (synthetic drugs) go away,” and not to fill up the jail.
In other matters on Jan. 19, Simpson County Director of Emergency Management Bob Palmer said the county-wide One Call Now emergency notification system could be operational by the end of January.
The system will be used to send notifications by telephone of approaching severe weather or other possible emergencies. It can also be used to notify residents in certain areas of events, such as boil water advisories.
Palmer said the vendor providing the system is in the process of obtaining resident's telephone numbers.
A test of the system will be sent out when it is operational. Palmer said he believes residents will have the option of removing their phone numbers from the system at the time of test. However, he said he hopes residents will participate.
Fiscal Court and the City Commission approved formation of a joint city-county codes enforcement officer position. The full-time position will be hired on a contract basis and will not be a city or county employee. Funding for the position will be provided by both local governing bodies.
A report was given by Franklin-Simpson Fire Rescue Chief Mark Halcomb and Franklin Police Chief Todd Holder on the recently completed transition of city and county emergency dispatching from the local dispatch center to the Kentucky State Police Post in Bowling Green. Dispatching of all of Simpson County's emergency and non-emergency calls by state police began Jan. 10.
Halcomb said projected costs of the transition are less than expected. Original cost estimates of the transition were placed at $110,000. Halcomb said the transition may actually cost about $103,000. The fire chief said some $26,000 in unused state Homeland Security grant funds will be used to subsidize the cost to the county, leaving between $70,000 and $80,000 to be funded.
It was also noted that costs to upgrade the previous local dispatch center would have exceeded the transition costs.
“The change went without issue, without exception,”Halcomb said.
He also said the actual change-over of radio service from the former local dispatch center to the state police post took 10 seconds.
Holder said of the nine full-time dispatchers at the local dispatch center when the change to KSP was announced last year, four were hired by the state police. Several of the others were hired as dispatchers for area local enforcement agencies, such as the Warren County Sheriff's Department.
“It has been more successful than we ever thought it would be,” Holder said about the transition. “We will have little issues, but we will work them out.”
In addition to dialing 911 during emergencies, the state police dispatch center can be reached by calling 586-8824 or 586-8819.
A lengthy discussion was also held on enforcement of county and city animal control ordinances that were adopted last year.
A West Cedar Street woman – who along with her two small dogs was attacked by a neighbor's three pit bulldogs Dec. 1 – spoke during the meeting. One of the woman's dogs was killed during the attack.
She questioned why the same pit bulldogs were allowed to still run loose after the attack occurred on her property.
Henderson said the pit bulldogs were removed from the neighbor's residence on Jan. 19 after the owner failed to comply with the animal control ordinance.
A West Kentucky Street man was cited for violation of the animal control ordinance after the Dec. 1 attack. He pleaded guilty in Simpson District Court on Dec. 15, and sentencing is set for Feb. 7.
During the discussion, Kim Buck said pit bulldogs have also been running loose in Grainger Village off West Cedar Street.
City Commissioner Henry Stone questioned how the 19-page animal control ordinance could be enforced.
Another city commissioner, Mason Barnes, said the ordinance is “useless if it is not enforced.”
Henderson said enforcement of the ordinance is limited due to available resources and that it was never the intent of the ordinance to have blanket enforcement county-wide at all times. He said residents need to notify authorities of animal control issues so they can be investigated.
Although Simpson County Deputy Sheriff Bart Blythe serves as the county-wide animal control officer, animal control issues should first be reported to the proper law enforcement agency depending upon jurisdiction. Animal control issues in the city should first be reported to Franklin Police and those outside the city limits should reported to the Simpson County Sheriff's Department.
Blythe will be contacted when the issue involves an aggressive animal.
“The number one priority is public safety," Blythe said about animal control calls."
He said the Dec. 1 attack by pit bulldogs that killed a smaller dog on West Cedar Street was the first such incident since the animal control ordinances were adopted. Blythe also said the owner of the pit bulldogs involved in the Dec. 1 attack was given a chance to correct issues involving the animals before they were removed.
The ordinance calls for animals defined as vicious animals, which includes pit bulldogs, to be restrained either on a leash or chain or kept inside a fenced in area.
Blythe said 90 percent of his animal control calls involve pit bulldogs and that he receives calls at all times of the day and night every day of the week.
Members of both governmental bodies agreed that the public needs to be better informed about the animal control ordinance.
Franklin City Manager Kenton Powell said enforcement of the ordinance “will go smoother as more people become more aware of the ordinance.”
Representatives of the Boys and Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson gave a presentation about the its programs, operating costs and funding sources.
An informal request was made for the city and county to consider providing a future revenue stream of funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson. No action was taken by either governmental body on the funding request.
Boys & Girls Club Treasurer Lydia Latham presented budget figures showing that Boys & Girls Club expenses surpassed revenue by more than $104,900 last year. Expenses in 2011 totaled just over $349,000, while revenue came to $244,145. The club borrowed $105,000 from its line of credit last year.
Income and spending for 2011 were both projected at $383,000. They are estimated at $410,615 in 2012.
Ms. Latham said the Boys & Girls Club is “doing more with less,” referring to the lower than projected income last year. The number of children served by the club continues to increase.
Ms. Latham was asked if the Boys and Girls Club had considered sponsoring bingo games as a means of raising income. Other non-profit organizations, such as the Arts Council, Archives and Renaissance, receive funding from bingo.
Ms. Latham said bingo has been considered but noted that concerns have been voiced that gaming conflicts with portions of the club’s mission.
Boys & Girls Club Chief Professional Officer Jef Goodnight described some of the programs the club offers and gave annual attendance figures since the club opened in 2008.
During 2011, the B&G Club of F-S had an average daily attendance of 170 compared to 158 in 2010, 136 in 2009 and 112 in 2008. Goodnight also said the total annual attendance has increased each year since 2008, climbing from 28,007 in 2008 to 38,412 in 2011.
Goodnight also said the average length of stay has increased from two hours and eight minutes in 2008 to two hours and 57 minutes last year.
“There is a need for the Boys & Girls Club,” Goodnight said.
In addition, Goodnight said the local club has remained opened despite naysayers believing it would close within five years of its opening because “’Franklin is not big enough’ for a Boys & Girls Club.”
Boys & Girls Club Board President Bill Harris said there are several false rumors circulating in the community.
The former judge said the club “is not a baby-sitting service,” it is not just for “poor people,” and it is not operated only by government funding or solely through large individual private donations.
Harris stressed the Boys & Girls Club was not “about to fold up" due to a lack of financing.
He thanked Fiscal Court and the City Commission for their earlier financial support and other forms of support throughout the years.
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