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Martin County Health Department explores solar energy for cost savings
BY RACHEL DOVE MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Health Department director Eric Mills is focusing on driving the department forward in a rapidly changing technological landscape. One of his key initiatives is to explore cost-saving via solar panel installation. “There’s a common saying, ‘If it’s not broken – don’t fix it,’” Mills stated. “I…
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Rockcastle Pedway project lost in bureaucratic inertia
It has been more than 14 years since the initiation of the Rockcastle Pedway project, and the City of Inez is caught in the tangle of bureaucracy, miscommunication and unanticipated obstacles. What was initially seen as a promising venture to construct a pedestrian bridge has become marred by delays, budget overshoots and a loss of…
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Martin County advertises hearing on tax rate, approves loans for Riverside residents
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court announced a public hearing on the real property tax rate, approved HUD loans for Riverside residents and advanced several development projects in a meeting Thursday. The court voted to advertise a public hearing on the real property tax rate for 1 p.m. Oct. 12…
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Martin County magisterial districts unchanged by reapportionment
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Martin County’s five magisterial districts will retain their current boundaries following a recent reapportionment study. The news was confirmed Thursday by Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty during a Martin County Fiscal Court meeting. “The reapportionment plan makes no changes,” Lafferty stated before carrying out the initial reading of an ordinance…
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Inez City Commission supports Christmas in the Mountains with $4,500
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The Inez City Commission, in a special city meeting Sept. 12, pledged $4,500 to the upcoming Christmas in the Mountains festival. They will also provide a street worker to assist with the decorations. Several Christmas in the Mountains committee members attended the meeting to outline their remaining budgetary…
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City of Inez on solid financial footing, says auditor
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Financial auditor Jim Bryant from Wells & Company presented the City of Inez with audits for 2021 and 2022, stating the audits were clean and the city was on solid financial footing. Bryant brought his report to the Inez Commission’s special meeting Sept. 12 at City Hall, which…
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Mitch McConnell: Does he really feel like working?
BY DR. GLENN MOLLETTE Is Senator Mitch McConnell too old to serve in the United States Senate? The same question is being asked of California U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, President Joe Biden, and even former President Donald Trump. How old is too old? Some people are old and sickly by the time they are 50…
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Legislative Update: Aviation in the Commonwealth
BY REPRESENTATIVE BOBBY MCCOOL As August hits its midpoint and we are reminded that fall is right around the corner, we gear up to celebrate one of the more lesser-known holidays: National Aviation Day. Established in 1939, National Aviation Day falls on Aug. 19 of each year, the birthday of Orville Wright, who along with…
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Alliance proposes sewer rate increase in Martin County; board leaves decision for later discussions
BY LISA STAYTON MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INÉZ — Alliance Water Resources vice president Tony Sneed traveled from Missouri to recommend a $5 per month sewer rate increase and present the 2024 sewer district budget. Sneed attended the July 27 Martin County Sanitation District board meeting. Sneed told board members that he included the $5 monthly debt…