News from May 25, 2006 issue
Airport
can handle jets now
Two years and $5 million later, Runway 7 and Runway 25 at the
Marion-Crittenden County Airport are ready for incoming and outgoing
aircraft. In fact, just a day after opening to the public May
15, it was in use.
The runway is 4,400 feet long, almost one mile, and can accommodate
jet aircraft.
The beauty of the project, according to airport board chairman
Jim Johnson, is that Marion and Crittenden County governments
paid only $65,000 each to convert the turf landing strip into
a state-of-the-art, all-weather facility. Much of the local contribution
was in the form of in-kind services, such as hauling rock and
dirt. Appropriations from the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) funded 95 percent of the project over $4 million.
Marion's airport is uncontrolled, meaning there are no air traffic
controllers on duty, which requires pilots to visually check for
the presence of other aircraft in the area and to make contact
with other pilots who might be in the vicinity using the airport's
dedicated radio frequency. The radio frequency also enables pilots
to turn on runway lights and runway-end identifiers between dusk
and dawn. The airport also features IFR approaches that have been
published in FAA manuals.
The Marion-Crittenden County Airport Board is now overseeing Phases
4 and 5 of the project, which include construction of a combination
administration building and maintenance hanger and a 12,000 gallon
above-ground fuel system. The administration building will have
a lounge, lobby, weather briefing room and observation deck.
These projects should be complete by fall, Johnson says, at which
time the airport board will hold an official grand opening and
dedication service.
Anybody can use the airport without vehicle access to the ramp.
A walk gate is unlocked at all times; however, vehicles that need
access to the ramp will need the gate code.
"Access is restricted for security reasons," Johnson
said, "however for friends or associates who plan to fly
into the airport, access is just a matter of getting access to
the ramp code."
"It's a gateway to the community," Johnson explains,
noting that access to the airport might be gained for a variety
of reasons from looking at land for sale to meeting with
area business or industry owners. "It's everybody's airport,
and the public needs to feel like it's able to use it," Johnson
said.
Upkeep at the airport is minimal, Johnson said, with the facility's
only expenses being for mowing and utilities. The land at the
airport is in the Crop Reserve Program (CRP), so annual payments
from the program and hanger rental will help cover some of those
costs.
Greenwell
named chief prosecutor
By executive order, Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher has appointed
J. Zachary Greenwell of Marion as commonwealth attorney for Crittenden,
Union and Webster counties.
Greenwell, 36, will replace W.S. "Bill" Greenwell, his
father, as the state prosecutor in the 5th Judicial Circuit.
Bill Greenwell has resigned effective June 1 after serving as
commonwealth attorney since 1991. His six-year term would have
expired Dec. 31. His son is running unopposed in November for
the non-partisan position.
Since there was no opposition for commonwealth attorney, Bill
Greenwell said he chose to retire six months early.
The younger Greenwell will finish serving his father's unexpired
term this year, then begin a six-year term of his own.
Bill Greenwell, 64, has maintained a law practice in Marion since
1968 and has been a prosecutor for the past 26 years, serving
as both county attorney for Crittenden County and the commonwealth's
attorney for the three-county circuit.
Zac Greenwell is currently serving as assistant commonwealth attorney
and has been a practicing attorney in Marion since 1997.
Of the three counties in the circuit, Crittenden has the lightest
caseload. There are about 350 cases prosecuted each year throughout
the circuit.
A graduate of Murray State University, Zac Greenwell received
his juris doctorate from the Michigan State University College
of Law. He is a member of the Crittenden County Economic Development
Board, the Crittenden County Lions Club and the Crittenden County
Chamber of Commerce. Greenwell also serves as treasurer of the
Marion Christian Church, where he is a member. He is married to
Marcie Benson Greenwell and they have two children.
Tucker's
book sales go over 2,000
Marion author Ethel Tucker is celebrating the one-year anniversary
of the release of her cookbook, "From Pilot Knob to Main
Street." The cookbook contains many pictures and stories
of Tucker's 88 years which began in the Pilot Knob community.
Entertaining friends and family in Marion largely inspired her
book.
In its first year, nearly 2,000 copies of "From Pilot Knob
to Main Street," have been sold through four printings.
The book, which is available at several Marion locations and from
Tucker herself, features chapters of recipes for appetizers, vegetables,
casseroles, soups, main dishes and desserts as well as a chapter
of suggested menus.
Obtain your copy, in softback or hardback, at one of the following
locations: Quilting Tomorrow's Heirlooms, Marion Cafe, Louise's
Flowers, or Stout Law Office in Marion; at Kentucky Dam Village
State Resort Park Gift Shop; or at Patti's 1880s Settlement Gift
Shop. They may also be requested by contacting Tucker at 965-4055.
Books are $15 for softback and $25 for hardback and may be mailed
anywhere in the United States.