News from Aug. 21, 2003 issue


City discusses motel, restaurant tax
There's probably going to be some changes in a proposed restaurant and motel tax if the plan is ever going to fly.

The Marion City Council spent a great deal of time discussing the proposed taxes during its regular meeting Monday night. A few local citizens and owners of Myers Bed and Breakfast attended the meeting. Some were in favor of the proposed taxes and some were against one or both of them.

There remains some dissension on the council as to what type of operations would be subject to collecting the restaurant tax. The proposed ordinance includes non-profit organizations such as booster clubs, concession stands at sports events and church groups selling baked goods on Main Street. However, it appears that there is growing support to exclude such organizations.

Councilman Dwight Sherer opposed taxing those types of groups. "I can't justify putting a tax on anything like that," he said.

Other citizens at the meeting said the same thing.

Charlie Hunt, a local businessman who is part of a group working to build a new motel here, said he feared that non-profit groups would absorb the cost of the tax rather than pass it along to the consumer.

"Concession stands will continue charging $1 for cold drinks and at bake sales brownies are two for 25 cents worldwide. I'm not so sure about taxing the non-profits," Hunt said.
City Attorney Bart Frazer explained that the model ordinance introduced for the restaurant tax is able to modified if the council desires to make changes.

"All this is is a model, a starting place," Frazer said.

Patty Gilbert, who represented a couple of local non-profit groups, understands the reason for trying to collect a tax that would promote tourism and recreation, but pointed out that fund-raising groups have a tough time as it is now. Tacking on three percent more might be tough.

"It would make it harder for us to fund raise," she said.


Gilland resigns, Riley named to jailer's post
Crittenden County Jailer Jerry Gilland resigned Friday, a condition of a plea agreement in Circuit Court that reduced two felony charges to misdemeanors.

He was replaced by Rick Riley, a 35-year law enforcement veteran who has served as a Crittenden County Sheriff's Deputy for the past three years.

Crittenden Judge-Executive Pippi Hardin appointed Riley, who will serve until a special election can be held next year.

In exchange for Gilland's resignation, Commonwealth's special prosecutor Brucie Moore agreed to amend a charge of receiving profit on public funds to one misdemeanor count of theft of under $300. Also, a felony, first-degree wanton endangerment charge was amended to second-degree wanton endangerment, a misdemeanor. On each of these charges, Gilland was sentenced to 365 days in jail, most of it was probated. He will be required to serve 60 days of home incarceration. He was also fined $100 on each charge.

A charge of malfeasance, or neglect of duty, was dismissed.

The malfeasance and receiving profit on public funds stemmed from a state police investigation last year in regard to the way Gilland was running the jail. The most damaging evidence alleged that Gilland was selling drinks to inmates for profit.

A few weeks ago, Gilland was charged with wanton endangerment after shooting at his daughter's boyfriend.

Judge Hardin hopes the managerial experience Riley earned as lieutenant colonel of the Henderson Police Department will help him solve the financial problems that plague the Crittenden County Jail.

Riley doesn't plan to make immediate changes to jail policies, but says he will work to increase revenue and decrease expenses where possible.

Hardin wants Riley to push to house more female inmates from other counties and to house more Transcor inmates ­ both of which would increase jail revenue. To cut costs, Hardin hopes Riley can prevent housing Crittenden County inmates in other counties.

"We can't afford (to run the jail) but we can't afford not to," Hardin said. "We have to find a way to balance the jail budget because that budget is cut to the bone."

Riley's long history in law enforcement included stints at the McCracken County Sheriff's Department and the police academy in Richmond where he was an instructor.

Walking trail would circle city-county park
The idea of a walking trail in Marion may have been given its second wind.

The City of Marion and Marion-Crittenden County Park Board are working together on a plan to build a nature walking trail around the park. The paved trail would encircle the park property, running parallel to Old Morganfield Road and then running possibly the length of the old railroad line from Old Morganfield Road to Adams Street.

The park has $50,000 which was donated specifically for a walking trail when the Rails to Trails plan first surfaced here a few years ago. The original idea was to make use of the old West Kentucky Railway from north of Marion to perhaps as far south as Crayne. However, some snags caused that plan to be dropped, but the money, provided by an anonymous donor, remains in the bank.

The city recently was approved for a grant to build a walking trail along U.S. 60 (Sturgis Road). However, some stumbling blocks have caused local leaders to rethink that particular plan.
Now, the idea has shifted to a park walking trail which would be 1.25 miles long.

Wayne West, the park board chairman, spoke briefly about the proposal during Monday night's city council meeting.

West also told the council that basketball court lights at the park were having to be replaced because vandals had shot them out with a .22 rifle.

The park board chairman also went over the park's budget for 2003-04, outlining specifics for council members. The council recently approved an ordinance that requires all agencies that receive $10,000 or more to come before the council and lay out their financial plans for the coming year.