Nelson Fiscal Court to consider larger donation to help Bethany Haven shelter
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019 — Bethany Haven, the local non-profit organization that provides transitional housing for women, children and married couples in Nelson County, has asked Nelson Fiscal Court for a donation of a total of $15,000 to assist the group with an expansion of its mission.
Bethany Haven helps homeless women, children and couples get back on their feet and obtain their own permanent housing. The group also operates the Room In The Inn program, which provides overnight shelter to homeless individuals and involves more than 20 churches and religious organizations.
Judge Executive Dean Watts presented Nelson Fiscal Court Tuesday with a donation request from Bethany Haven and explained that the organization is seeking to eventually expand its capacity to shelter families. The organization recently purchased a home at 114 North Kennett Ave. where it hopes to expand its ability to house those in need.
The county already provides $3,600 that covers the cost of annual rent for the Bethany Haven complex. Watts asked the court to consider approving a commitment of an additional $10,000.
The funding would come from a line in the budget that provides fund for the general welfare, and would not affect the overall budget, Watts explained.
The court took no action on the request Tuesday; Watts said the court will consider the request at an upcoming meeting of Nelson Fiscal Court.
EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS WEEK. Watts also signed a proclamation honoring the Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association, which has more than 800 clubs across Kentucky, including the Nelson County Homemakers.
The local Homemakers group has 103 members and have provided 16,000 volunteer hours.
The proclamation declares Oct. 13-19, 2019 as Kentucky Extension Homemakers Week.
LOCAL RESIDENT RECOGNIZED. A Nelson County resident was honored at the recent statewide EMS conference in Lexington.
Alex Guinn received the “Above and Beyond Award” for his actions that saved the life of an individual involved in an automobile crash.
According to EMS Director Joe Prewitt, Guinn rolled up on the crash and helped an individual to safety who had been trapped in an overturned, burning vehicle.
EMS TRAINING. Nelson County EMS has taken delivery of the new cardiac monitors and other equipment recently approved by Nelson Fiscal Court. Prewitt said training on the new equipment will begin Oct. 14, 2019, and will be placed in service once the training is completed.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANT. Prewitt told the court that Nelson Emergency Management had applied for a $15,700 grant to pay for the replacement of the weather siren at Samuels Field.
Prewitt said maintenance checks will be performed in the coming weeks on all of the county’s weather sirens.
If you believe the weather siren in your area is not operating correctly, contact the judge executive’s office at (502) 348-1800.
In other business, the court:
- voted to add two pickup trucks and a short pickup truck bed to the list of county property considered surplus. The county will conduct an auction in the future to dispose of its growing list of surplus equipment.
- approved second and final reading of the updated personnel ordinance.
NEXT UP. Nelson Fiscal Court next meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019.
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