Approaching his retirement from civil service, Trigg County Judge-Executive Hollis Alexander has one more duty on his plate before that final day comes.
Monday afternoon in Hopkinsville, Alexander was named the successive chairman for the Pennyrile Area Development District.
Vice chair for the past two years under the outgpoing chairman and Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom, Alexander’s term won’t last the full two years. Instead, it will end January 2023 and with newly-installed Vice Chair and Greenville Mayor Jan Yonts being promoted.
Alexander noted Newcom’s efforts would be tough to replace.
Newcom was presented with an award for his service and leadership, which came during a tumultuous time in west Kentucky involving challenges against COVID-19 and a global pandemic, a sweep of devastating severe weather and an evolving concern of fresh water supplies in his home county.
PADD Executive Director Jason Vincent said that when Alexander’s retirement takes effect, Yonts, newly sworn-in Secretary and Livingston County representative Crissy Carter and installed Treasurer and Todd County Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield will all get promoted, and a new treasurer will need to be nominated and elected.
In other PADD news:
— South Western Kentucky EDC Carter Hendricks, Christian County Judge-Executive Steve Tribble, Alexander and Vincent all paid strong tribute to the late John Mahre, whose life was celebrated this past weekend. He was 65.
PADD’s annual award for dedication and regional contribution is named after Mahre, who spent the bulk of his professional years as a civil servant for Hopkinsville, Christian County and west Kentucky on a number of boards and other community positions.
Alexander likened Mahre to famed high school defensive star and Paralympian Gerry (pronounced GARY) Bertier, best known for his role with Herman Boone’s T.C. Williams Titans.
Vincent reflected on Mahre’s funeral.
— PADD and its constituents unanimously approved a 2022-23 fiscal year budget of nearly $20.3 million, which includes nearly $13 million for the Area Agency On Aging & Independent Living, another $6 million for Training and Workforce Development, and $1.2 million for Community and Economic Development.
Carter, outgoing treasurer, said more than $15 million of this budget will be passed on to PADD’s nine service counties.
— Vincent reported that the Western Kentucky Wellness Mission, that took place from June 15-25 at the Christian County Middle School, was an extremely successful effort between sponsors and the U.S. Army and its key Reservists.
More than $250,000 in free medical services were provided, in what was a culmination of 5,300-plus actions ranging from dental, medical, veterinary, behavioral and pharmaceutical assistance.
