Ballard to replace Rita Riley as manager of the Main Street program
STAFF REPORT
Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011 — Anne Ballard of Bardstown has been named as the new manager of the city of Bardstown’s Main Street program. She will be replacing Rita Riley, who announced she will retire in October.
Ballard worked with the Main Street program last year as a coordinator of the streetscape program. She worked with Riley as the communications liaison between city government, construction crews, downtown businesses and news media. Her efforts in the Tourism office helped Bardstown earn the “best lunch stop” in the 2010 Hemming’s Vintage Car Rally that visited Bardstown last summer.
Ballard current works for 1320 WBRT as special projects coordinator. She has been instrumental in launching Bardstown Bargains and the Bardstown Bargains LIVE radio program. She will continue to work part-time for WBRT.
“We are happy to share the talents of Anne with the community through this arrangement and know what when we all work and share our talents, we all benefit and grow,” station manager Roth Stratton said.
Ballard will begin her duties in the Main Street program on Aug. 22.
Riley, the outgoing Main Street manager, has held the position since 2003. She has also contributed to the beautification of downtown Bardstown as well as its economic growth with her work in the Main Street program and the Streetscape project.
“Rita’s 17 years of experience working in the downtown area was so valuable as she knew not only the history surrounding the downtown and its buildings, but kknew the business owner and would promote the community to everyone she saw,” said Kim Huston, president of the Nelson County Economic Development Agency. “She has one of the greatest work ethics and has never found a task she couldn’t tackle. Her tenacity and spunk will very much be missed.”
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