The Pennyrile Area Development District Board of Directors got a virtual visit from Governor Andy Beshear during Monday’s meeting, and he gave an overview on tornado recover efforts in western Kentucky.
Governor Beshear says while efforts have been tremendous, from debris clean-up to rebuilding to victim support, there is still much, much more work to be done and it will likely take years to fully recover from the devastating tornados that hit Mayfield, Dawson Springs, Pembroke and other communities on December 10 and 11. He says his office is in constant contact with the areas who were hit and with legislators to try and get tornado relief legislation passed that helps all communities.
He says they’re looking to find the best start date for the 30-days worth of funding from the federal government that would benefit all involved.
Local officials are also looking to get the state of emergency extended out for a full year, and Hopkins County Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield says that length of time is due to the legislator making it so state of emergency’s can not last longer than 30-days or they have to approve an extension. He says by extending it out a year, it keeps from them having to call a special session every 30 days just to approve it.
In other action, the board heard from Calhoun & Company, who conducted the yearly audit on the Pennyrile Area Development District and auditors issued a ‘clean’ opinion.