The McCreary County Record

Homepage

Related Photos

  • Ginger McCartt Janie Slaven

    Ginger McCartt
September 5, 2012

County Director of Tourism quits

Officials working to complete projects underway

By JANIE SLAVEN News Editor

WHITLEY CITY —  The McCreary County Tourist Commission was prepared to fill two vacant seats during their monthly meeting last Tuesday but found they could accomplish little else in the way of regular business.

      Earlier in the day, county tourism director Ginger McCartt informed Judge-Executive Doug Stephens that she no longer wished to continue in the position she had held for more than two years. Though Judge Stephens urged McCartt to “sleep on it,” it was Deputy Judge Andrew Powell who greeted commissioners and guests when the meeting convened at 3:30 p.m.

    Powell apologized to the attendees, noting that no reports or even an agenda had been prepared. While he commended McCartt on her efforts to market trails and raise the county’s profile in adventure racing, the deputy judge indicated that community conflicts contributed to her decision.

    “I think it’s unfortunate to have continued disarray in such a small community where the economy is so fragile,” Powell said. “We still let our personality differences hold us back. I challenge everyone — whether they’re from Pine Knot, Stearns or Parkers Lake — to put their differences aside and help tourism grow throughout the county.”

    With McCartt’s fate still in question, Powell suggested the board approve an emergency stabilization motion to allow board members to act in the director’s stead. He offered the assistance of newly-hired Economic Development Director Susan Stephens, who was present at the meeting and agreed to help.

    Michelle King, acting chair of the commission, consented to work on a close-out report due Friday for an Appalachian Regional Commission grant which would reimburse the county for the recently completed “Get Outside Yourself” trail identification project.

    The commission closed official business with the approval of Katherine Strunk (restaurant representative) and Peg Taylor (lodging representative) as prospective members to be officially appointed by McCreary County Fiscal Court on September 10. The court approved Jim Cmolik last month to represent the Judge’s Office.

    The three replace Becki Egnew, Ted Coffey and Barbara Edwards — each of whom resigned their seats on the board in June. The new members join King, Wanda Worley, Jesse Kidd and Nina Bradley.

    Cmolik, who is involved in several community projects through Hills and Hollers Ministries, expressed his hope that local tourism interests can work together as a team.

    “Until we have health within McCreary County, we cannot build alliances with counties outside,” he said. “It may sound insurmountable but the God I serve can surmount anything.”

    Mindful of that sentiment, officials spent the remainder of the week reaching out to other communities.

    Powell led a five-member delegation joining a TOUR SEKY trip to Damascus, Virginia, on Wednesday morning. Damascus serves as one of the models for Kentucky’s new Trail Town program, from which Stearns is seeking certification.

    McCartt had been slated to go on the trip, but by Wednesday afternoon, her resignation was official.

    Judge Stephens — who was attending a National Park Service meeting at Bandy Creek — commended McCartt’s enthusiasm and expressed regret that she would not be continuing. He told the Record that while it may be instinctive to want a new director in place quickly, the commission and fiscal court should take time during this hiring process.

    “We need to find the right person, someone outgoing who works well with the public,” he said.

    The judge noted that this is an opportune time for tourism growth in the county. With NPS seeking public input on how to improve access to the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, he presented suggestions for road improve-ments connecting Kentucky and Tennessee and increased access to the mouth of Bear Creek.

    Stearns District Ranger Tim Reed of the U.S. Forest Service was also present to offer ideas on how the two federal agencies could work together on the Trail Town project. Several operators of area tourism businesses were also in attendance, with one advocating the development of horse trail connecting Yamacraw to Rugby. Park officials had apparently planned the trail years ago but later shelved it.

 

Text Only
Homepage
Madie Parriman

McCreary County Sheriff Gus Skinner (center) and Deputy Tom Smith escort Madie Parriman to a cruiser following her arrest on a federal indictment yesterday.

Local News
  • Feds target local woman

    WHITLEY CITY  — A Pine Knot woman was arrested yesterday on a federal warrant related to drug trafficking.
        Madie S. Parriman, 57, has been indicted by U.S. District Court grand jury for conspiring to

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bond set in school threat case

     WHITLEY CITY  — James Paulson, the computer technician accused of making threats while on the job at Pine Knot Primary, was arraigned Thursday in McCreary District Court.
        The 50-year-old Stearns man was arrested May 7 after a brief investigation into statements

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Low turnout again for second town hall meeting

    WHITLEY CITY — Attendance wasn’t any better for the District 2 Town Hall meeting held Saturday afternoon but the conversation was much livelier.
        As with last month’s meeting at the Stearns Depot, fewer than 20 citizens came to this event —

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • County budget passes 1st reading

    WHITLEY CITY  — Topping the agenda for the May meeting of McCreary County Fiscal Court last Tuesday was the first reading of the 2013-14 county budget.
        At $7.65 million, this budget is down more than $650,000 from last year’s $8.3 million budget.

    May 21, 2013

  • KY 92 dedicated as Veterans Memorial Highway

     WHITLEY CITY — Several state and local officials were on hand at the McCreary County Senior Citizens Center yesterday for a ceremony dedicating East KY 92 from the Whitley County line to US 27 as “McCreary County Veterans Memorial Highway.”

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

Local Sports
Obituaries
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse American Held in Grisly Czech Murders Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day' Jersey Shore Open for Business Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Facebook
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide