Horn resigns

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Inez residents will pay real, personal and tangible property tax at the rate of 9.2 cents per $100 of assessed value. Mayor Ed Daniels conducted the first reading of the tax ordinance in a special meeting Oct. 10, noting that this rate does not include motor vehicle and watercraft tax.

The commission will conduct the second reading and vote on the ordinance Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

According to Mayor Ed Daniels, not all fire hydrants within the City of Inez are working. In a meeting last week, the mayor told the Inez Commission that the water district is required by law to flush the hydrants every six months.

“It was brought to my attention that all of them are not working in the city,” Daniels stated, adding that he planned to go to the water district office later in the week to speak to water management. “Can I get any support on that? Someone to go with me?”

Commissioner Roy Penix agreed to accompany Daniels.

Penix gave the Commission a street report, saying the basketball courts at the park had been painted and “look good.” He also reported that the city’s street worker had been assisting Christmas in the Mountains.

“He’s been doing his mowing and the truck has been aligned,” Penix said.

The city had allotted $1,000 for the new tires, but the final price was $630. Then the deal got sweeter when Commissioner Jennifer Wells announced that Tommy’s Auto wanted to return the check for the tires.

“He wants to donate the tires,” Wells said.

Inez City Clerk Lisa Mollett announced the city would receive about $24,000 in bank franchise tax this year, up $4,000 from last year’s $19,000.

Mollett announced that Inez resident Carolea Mills wants to change the name of Cain Place. “She and Eric have bought two houses there that they want to turn into Airbnbs,” Mollett said. “She said she didn’t want to do it if it would ruffle anyone’s feathers. All we have to do is have an ordinance that we’re changing that name and report it to the transportation cabinet in Frankfort so they can put it on their central file.”

Mayor Daniels commented, “We would have to report it to the 911.”

Commissioner Carolyn Horn asked, “What are they wanting to change it to?”

Mollett replied, “Faith Street, Hope Lane or Glory Way. They want to give it a Christian-type name. She said in advertising, she thought any of that would sound better than Cain Place or Cain Lane.”

Horn said that having grown up in downtown Inez and knowing Charley and Susanne owned that property all those years, she did not favor changing the name.

“Those were quite respected citizens of the county,” said Horn. “If we even think of doing something like that, I think there are children in Mount Sterling—there are grandchildren. Gene died… They were quite a prominent family here. He was in the drilling business and owned places up Coldwater. That’s my opinion. You all can do whatever you want, but I personally have a problem.”

Commissioner Nita Collier said, “I’m good either way.” However, Penix echoed Horn’s sentiments.

Wells commented, “Maybe she could find something that would still incorporate their name.”

Horn added that she did not see how the name Cain Place would be a problem in advertising.

Daniels said he agreed with Horn and Penix.

“I can remember those people,” he said. “I was young, but I remember them.”

At the end of the meeting, Horn tendered a letter of resignation:

“I so appreciate the opportunity to have served these few months. I have learned so much about the operation of our little city. You all have been so gracious to me. I always knew and loved Roy, Lisa and Nita, but I feel I gained a new friend in Jennifer. I ask all of you to work diligently to recover the city’s money that was extended for the pedestrian bridge from Skeeze Ward to the post office. The $30,000-plus can do a lot for our little city. Thank you for redoing the signs that honor our winning basketball teams. May God bless all of you as you continue to work for our city.”

The other commissioners thanked Horn for her service.

“You did just what you and I discussed when you came onto the commission,” said Daniels.

“Thank you all for the privilege,” Horn said. “It really enlightened me to know what is going on, so I’m going to be watching when I read the paper.”