Drama seeks partnership with city; Maple Hill residents seek better lighting

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Ellen Baker Finn, chair of the Stephen Foster Drama Association, suggested the city and drama partner to provide consistent funding for the local outdoor theater’s programs.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015, 9 a.m. — Government support of the arts and for local art programs is essential to keeping them alive and vibrant in any community, and “The Stephen Foster Story” is worthy of financial support of the Bardstown City Council.

That was drama association chair Ellen Baker Finn’s message to the council at its meeting Tuesday night.

The drama’s estimated economic impact is more than $6 million, Finn told the council. Last year, the drama attracted visitors from 44 states and more than two dozen countries. Each year the drama provides discounts to local residents for tickets to attend its productions.

The drama employed 107 people last year with salaries totaling more than $335,000. The state provides the drama with some funding each year, and Finn asked the council members to consider a partnership with the organization and a commitment of $10,000 per year in support.

The drama is “truly a jewel in the crown of this beautiful town” and worthy of the council’s ongoing financial support, Finn said.

The council took no action on the request.

Danielle Jones asked the council to consider better lighting along West Stephen Foster in the Maple Hill area in the city’s 2015-16 budget. Better lighting will reduce crime in the area, she said.

MAPLE HILL CONCERNS. Maple Hill resident Danielle Jones asked the council to consider the longtime needs of city’s western corridor when it prepares the 2015-16 budget.

Jones asked the council to consider improving the quality of lighting along West Stephen Foster Avenue from Barton Road west to the city limits. Better lighting will reduce crime in the area, she explained.

Maple Hill residents have created a neighborhood watch and they could also use some funding to purchase and install watch signs in the area.

Jones told the council that BAND — the Bardstown Active Neighborhood Delegation — has been reduced to meeting twice a year, and that’s not often enough to have time to discuss issues in the city’s nine distinct neighborhoods.

There is no welcome to Bardstown signage on the city’s western entrance, which handles traffic coming from Interstate 65 and executives who fly in to our local airport, she said.

Jones asked the council to consider the lighting improvements when they look at the upcoming budget. Mayor John Royalty told Jones that he would get recommendations for the city’s engineering staff on the costs of improving the lighting along West Stephen Foster.

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