Monday, August 18, 2008
When Save A Lot moves to new location
I wonder what will happen to the old Food World building once Save A Lot moves to its new location?
Old Armada boat factory on Old Pike sits empty
During the 1990s, Mirada boats were assembled in Ravenna KY. Around 2001, the plant closed. The old Pike building sits empty. Originally built for Carhart, the building could be used to several purposes. But it sits empty. Dark and spooky at night!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The spring at the top of Tipton Ridge Mountain
Folks from all around have enjoyed getting water from the spring on Tipton Ridge/Beattyville Road (KY 52 East). Yet this scenic landscape is plagued with trash and graffiti. Why? And the concrete area around the spring is deteriorating. Something needs to be done. Community leaders need to act now to save this landmark. Estill Springs and Spout Springs are in private hands and no longer accessible to the general public. Let's save the Tipton Ridge spring. Stop the graffiti and trash.
Spout Springs property
I used to like to stop and drink from the spring on KY 82. I understand the current owners don't allow any visitors to the spring. Which is a shame. Yes I understand they pay taxes on the farm and they would be concerned about their safety. Why don't they fence off a limited section of land around the spring. The community has enjoyed drinking from the waters for decades. Sam Tuttle should have willed a little section around the spring for community use. Sam was nice enough to allow people to use the spring.
poor parking in downtown Irvine
It is hard to find a parking spot on Main street. The new city hall has reduced some of the parking spots. The Lewis funeral home and Irvine Post Office lots are small and parking often has to take place on the streets. How about a parking lot off of Court Street so customers to Lewis Funeral home, post office and the banks can find a spot to park? There is waste land on Church Street that could be purchased for a parking lot.
Fast food chains that have left Estill County
Lack of through traffic has hurt Estill County's business community. You soon exhaust your supply of local customers. Towns close to major interstates benefit from through traffic.
Irvine once had a Kentucky Fried chicken on River Drive from the mid 1970s until the 1990s.
Lee's Famous Recipe once had a location on the Richmond Road.
Irvine once had a Dairy Queen on the Richmond Road. Powell County has two Dairy Queens!
The Irvine Food Court once had a Burger King and Taco Bell. In the mid 1990s, a Columbia Steak house was in the food court. Let's help keep the food court open. I miss Taco Bell! Yo quiero Taco Bell!
Po Folks once had a resturant in the old KFC building on River Drive.
Anyone considering opening a resturant franchise in Estill County KY should consider looking at the Winchester Road. The only through traffic into Estill County comes from KY 89 N and KY 82 from the Mt. Parkway.
Lots of young people work at these fast food resturants. We need to create a better business climate so more young people could have a better economic future.
Irvine once had a Kentucky Fried chicken on River Drive from the mid 1970s until the 1990s.
Lee's Famous Recipe once had a location on the Richmond Road.
Irvine once had a Dairy Queen on the Richmond Road. Powell County has two Dairy Queens!
The Irvine Food Court once had a Burger King and Taco Bell. In the mid 1990s, a Columbia Steak house was in the food court. Let's help keep the food court open. I miss Taco Bell! Yo quiero Taco Bell!
Po Folks once had a resturant in the old KFC building on River Drive.
Anyone considering opening a resturant franchise in Estill County KY should consider looking at the Winchester Road. The only through traffic into Estill County comes from KY 89 N and KY 82 from the Mt. Parkway.
Lots of young people work at these fast food resturants. We need to create a better business climate so more young people could have a better economic future.
Estill County's glorious past
Can you imagine a Texaco oil refinery at Pryse KY? Can you imagine iron being processed at Fitchburg and Cottage furnaces in eastern Estill County? The L and N railroad yards at Ravenna employed hundreds of people in the early 20th century.
Starting in the late 1950s, Estill County started slipping into hard times. The 1950s saw a steep decline in the county population. Since 1960, several employment firms have come and gone including Southeast Coal Company coal wash, the ill starred charcoal factory near Dry Ridge Road, Armada boat factory in Ravenna, X Ring archery, and dozens of local businesses that failed for one reason or another.
We need an economic drive like we saw in the first half of the 20th century. We don't need the malaise of the late 20th century.
Too many small businesses in Estill County have failed. High rent, limited profits, limited business acumen, lack or cheap advertising, poor salesmanship or marketing have domed many businesses.
Starting in the late 1950s, Estill County started slipping into hard times. The 1950s saw a steep decline in the county population. Since 1960, several employment firms have come and gone including Southeast Coal Company coal wash, the ill starred charcoal factory near Dry Ridge Road, Armada boat factory in Ravenna, X Ring archery, and dozens of local businesses that failed for one reason or another.
We need an economic drive like we saw in the first half of the 20th century. We don't need the malaise of the late 20th century.
Too many small businesses in Estill County have failed. High rent, limited profits, limited business acumen, lack or cheap advertising, poor salesmanship or marketing have domed many businesses.
tear down unsightly buildings
It is time that vacant buildings that are eye sores and safety hazard be torn down. This is true for the old Ravenna Diesel building as well as the old Farm and Home store at the corner of Broadway and Stevens Avenue in Irvine. A few unsightly buildings have been town down lately. You have litigation issues if children get hurt exploring these buildings. The same goes for burned out shells of houses or trailors. Once the insurance paperwork has been completed, it is time to tear down the shell.
extend the Irvine city limits to the Proctor bypass
It is time to extend the Irvine city limits. The 1930 census was the last one to show growth. One way to make the town have more people (most cities are doing it) would be to extend the Irvine city limits on KY 89 and 52 to the Joseph Proctor bypass. If the communities of North Irvine, West Irvine, and Cedar Grove were annexed into Irvine, the population would increase from 2834 to well over 3000. Maysville KY recently annexed historic Washington KY.
The more people you have in town the better chances you have of attracting jobs or commercial development.
At the current moment, the Irvine bridge is the city limits. On the Winchester Road, the current city limits is close to Priceless Foods.
It would be nice to see a large WELCOME TO IRVINE HOME OF MUSHROOM SIGN at the edge of Irvine at both ends of the Joseph Proctor bypass.
The more people you have in town the better chances you have of attracting jobs or commercial development.
At the current moment, the Irvine bridge is the city limits. On the Winchester Road, the current city limits is close to Priceless Foods.
It would be nice to see a large WELCOME TO IRVINE HOME OF MUSHROOM SIGN at the edge of Irvine at both ends of the Joseph Proctor bypass.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Fitchburg Furnace State Park
How about a state park at Fitchburg? This is a large piece of work that dates back to the 1860s. Why be so shy and timid about advertising it?
Imagine if this furnace was located in other communities! You would hear more about it. It is time for signage along the Mountain Parkway and I 75 pointing visitors to this 19th century marvel.
How about a driving tour of the historic iron industry? Visit the KY Iron Industry drving tour including Fitchburg, Cottage and Estill Steam Furnace ruins.
New Save A Lot near old Maloney Store building
I have been told that Save A Lot is building a new location near the old Maloney store on the Richmond Road. What happens if a wreck occurs while 1 car is headed to the Irvine Food Court while another car is getting ready to go to Save A Lot? Bad intersection.
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positive community improvements in recent years
1. New Irvine city hall. New fire station has been shelved for now.
2. Turning lane on River Drive from Irvine to Ravenna.
3. Salem Baptist church curve on KY 82 (Spout Springs Road).
4. Joseph Proctor bridge and bypass
5. Westcare drug treatment center in downtown Irvine. If they only had better signage!
6. Old Black Brother's bus terminal on Broadway is now Estill County Historical Society.
7. Old Fores/Perry Auto Supply building is being rejuvenated for court house offices.
8. Michael Dean's law office in the old Hardy's Department Store.
9. New middle school and recent construction of an addition to the high school connecting the buildings on campus.
10. Some revitalization of downtown Irvine KY.
11. Adult Horizon on Broadway as an elderly day care center.
12. turning lanes on Richmond Road from the bridge west to Stacy Lane
13. Greenearth Bio-Fuel plant near Carrhart.
2. Turning lane on River Drive from Irvine to Ravenna.
3. Salem Baptist church curve on KY 82 (Spout Springs Road).
4. Joseph Proctor bridge and bypass
5. Westcare drug treatment center in downtown Irvine. If they only had better signage!
6. Old Black Brother's bus terminal on Broadway is now Estill County Historical Society.
7. Old Fores/Perry Auto Supply building is being rejuvenated for court house offices.
8. Michael Dean's law office in the old Hardy's Department Store.
9. New middle school and recent construction of an addition to the high school connecting the buildings on campus.
10. Some revitalization of downtown Irvine KY.
11. Adult Horizon on Broadway as an elderly day care center.
12. turning lanes on Richmond Road from the bridge west to Stacy Lane
13. Greenearth Bio-Fuel plant near Carrhart.
Many proposed projects never materialize
I can think of several community projects that have been shelved or canceled due to lack of funds or local interest. Consider the following
A. The youth center to be built next to the Estill County High School Track near the Winchester Road. The sign has rotted down
B. Park near Lock 12 off Old Pike in Ravenna KY. The lock houses were never restored. Nada. Nothing.
C.Improving Winchester Road (KY89) from Rice Street to Joseph Proctor bypass. This road needs turning lanes in front of Priceless and Family Dollar. Again locals complained about the road being built behind their businesses would hurt their sales. It is all "what is in it for me" instead of "what is better for the community".
A. The youth center to be built next to the Estill County High School Track near the Winchester Road. The sign has rotted down
B. Park near Lock 12 off Old Pike in Ravenna KY. The lock houses were never restored. Nada. Nothing.
C.Improving Winchester Road (KY89) from Rice Street to Joseph Proctor bypass. This road needs turning lanes in front of Priceless and Family Dollar. Again locals complained about the road being built behind their businesses would hurt their sales. It is all "what is in it for me" instead of "what is better for the community".
Nothing for the youth of Estill County?
A common complaint of many small town youth. Yet Mt. Vernon has Renfro Valley entertainment, Clay City has several race tracks and Jackson County has an ATV park at S Tree near Sandgap. I wished there was a 100 acre farm up Barnes Mountain or Tipton Ridge where people could register and pay a small fee for ATV riding. At least the rest of us wouldn't have to fence our farms to keep those ATVs out!
Bored young people often get in trouble. Young people today need an outlet for their energy.
Bored young people often get in trouble. Young people today need an outlet for their energy.
Estill County needs a LAKE
Why not build a lake near Station Camp or maybe Fitchburg? The southern and eastern parts of the county could use the extra tourism dollars.Stores, boat rentals, bait shops etc. could pop up across the area.
Jackson County has Lake Beulah. Letcher County has Carr's Fork Lake. Why don't we have a lake? Think of the jobs that could be produced.
Yet when Hal Rogers visited Estill County in the late 1980s, a mob of angry people protested the lake.There is enough national forest land that property acquisition wouldn't be needed.
Jackson County has Lake Beulah. Letcher County has Carr's Fork Lake. Why don't we have a lake? Think of the jobs that could be produced.
Yet when Hal Rogers visited Estill County in the late 1980s, a mob of angry people protested the lake.There is enough national forest land that property acquisition wouldn't be needed.
Ideas for economic growth in Estill County
1. Estill County needs better roads to neighboring towns such as Beattyville, Winchester and Clay City. Through traffic means tourism and small business growth. Fast food resturants employ people. Imagine a new food mart on the Winchester Road close to the high school, middle school, landfill and industrial park.
2. Local people need to change their attitude about growth and development. Growth is good. More people need to travel outside the county's border and see opportunities in our own backyard.
3. Eastern and Southern Estill County need better cell phone service. This is the information age and one needs to have internet access, cell phone service and cable to compete in this global economy.
4. Estill County needs a fully operating tourism department that advertises in travel guides found in welcome centers and rest areas along I 75, 71,64 and at state parks. Look at the Fitchburg Furnace and Cottage Furnace..why aren't these attractions being advertised? How about a state resort park with a museum, hotel complex etc.?
5. We need neighborhood watches in rural communities. By the time the police arrive, the damage has occured. Better local communication might keep someone from having to take the law in their own hands. Rural communities need to see a visible law enforcement. How about the constables? They could also help go after druggies.
6. We need an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.
7. Irvine and Ravenna need a taxi service given high gas prices and elderly residents who aren't able to drive to Richmond or Lexington.
8. Students at Estill County High School need to be able to take courses that are offered in larger high schools even such courses are online.
9. Estill County's business community could become more vibrant if more young people had proper training. Small businesses create jobs. Too many politicians dream about some large factory coming to Irvine employing hundreds of people..folks it isn't going to happen. Get over it.
10. Irvine needs a Wal Mart. Contrary to the popular opinion, Wal Mart would create more jobs than mom and pop stores which have pretty much vanished. We need the jobs here and the Richmond store is too crowded. Jackson, Barbourville, Stanford, Manchester, and other towns have Wal Marts.
11. Stop the JOB KILLERS who want their little town to be little and backward. Local projects that have been killed in recent years include an air port on Trotting Ridge, industrial park at Winston, prison at Stacy Lane, steam factory at Calloways's crossing near the Southeast Coal company's old facility...just to name a few. I am not endorsing all of the above proposals. It is the ANTI-CHANGE attitude that burns me up.
12. While some people in Estill County need public assistance, too many are satisfied to live off of welfare. We don't need half of the people in Estill County on welfare checks. Some of the women at Save A Lot at the first of the month are capable of making a living. High rates of public assistance don't help the image of the community.
13. Clean up the county. Stop throwing trash out your window of your car. Clean up the roadsides in front of your home. Tear down unsightly out buildings. Keep your yard mowed. Stacy Lane, Pea Ridge and Millers Creek could use a good cleaning every now and then.
14. Stop the flight of wealthy elderly people from the county. A guarded elderly apartment complex is needed. Assisted living for those who try to postpone going to the nursing home.
15. Irvine needs a cinema. Or get the old Mac Theater back in operation.
16. Irvine needs an entertainment complex where a politician or entertainer could perform. Maybe something like Hazard's Forum.
17. We need our legislators in Frankfort to come from Estill COunty. Mr. Edmonds is from Breathitt County and Mr. Jenson is from Laurel. Time to end the gerrymandering of state house seats.
18. River Drive needs a food mart. Let's hope Appco will put one where the old Fuel Zone food mart stood at the junction of River Drive and Kirkland Avenue.
2. Local people need to change their attitude about growth and development. Growth is good. More people need to travel outside the county's border and see opportunities in our own backyard.
3. Eastern and Southern Estill County need better cell phone service. This is the information age and one needs to have internet access, cell phone service and cable to compete in this global economy.
4. Estill County needs a fully operating tourism department that advertises in travel guides found in welcome centers and rest areas along I 75, 71,64 and at state parks. Look at the Fitchburg Furnace and Cottage Furnace..why aren't these attractions being advertised? How about a state resort park with a museum, hotel complex etc.?
5. We need neighborhood watches in rural communities. By the time the police arrive, the damage has occured. Better local communication might keep someone from having to take the law in their own hands. Rural communities need to see a visible law enforcement. How about the constables? They could also help go after druggies.
6. We need an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.
7. Irvine and Ravenna need a taxi service given high gas prices and elderly residents who aren't able to drive to Richmond or Lexington.
8. Students at Estill County High School need to be able to take courses that are offered in larger high schools even such courses are online.
9. Estill County's business community could become more vibrant if more young people had proper training. Small businesses create jobs. Too many politicians dream about some large factory coming to Irvine employing hundreds of people..folks it isn't going to happen. Get over it.
10. Irvine needs a Wal Mart. Contrary to the popular opinion, Wal Mart would create more jobs than mom and pop stores which have pretty much vanished. We need the jobs here and the Richmond store is too crowded. Jackson, Barbourville, Stanford, Manchester, and other towns have Wal Marts.
11. Stop the JOB KILLERS who want their little town to be little and backward. Local projects that have been killed in recent years include an air port on Trotting Ridge, industrial park at Winston, prison at Stacy Lane, steam factory at Calloways's crossing near the Southeast Coal company's old facility...just to name a few. I am not endorsing all of the above proposals. It is the ANTI-CHANGE attitude that burns me up.
12. While some people in Estill County need public assistance, too many are satisfied to live off of welfare. We don't need half of the people in Estill County on welfare checks. Some of the women at Save A Lot at the first of the month are capable of making a living. High rates of public assistance don't help the image of the community.
13. Clean up the county. Stop throwing trash out your window of your car. Clean up the roadsides in front of your home. Tear down unsightly out buildings. Keep your yard mowed. Stacy Lane, Pea Ridge and Millers Creek could use a good cleaning every now and then.
14. Stop the flight of wealthy elderly people from the county. A guarded elderly apartment complex is needed. Assisted living for those who try to postpone going to the nursing home.
15. Irvine needs a cinema. Or get the old Mac Theater back in operation.
16. Irvine needs an entertainment complex where a politician or entertainer could perform. Maybe something like Hazard's Forum.
17. We need our legislators in Frankfort to come from Estill COunty. Mr. Edmonds is from Breathitt County and Mr. Jenson is from Laurel. Time to end the gerrymandering of state house seats.
18. River Drive needs a food mart. Let's hope Appco will put one where the old Fuel Zone food mart stood at the junction of River Drive and Kirkland Avenue.
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