DRUG TASK FORCE OPERATIONAL DESPITE NOT GETTING GRANT

RUSSELLVILLE - The South Central Kentucky Drug Task Force didn't get the
grant it needed, but it is operational.

During a presentation to the Logan County Fiscal Court on Tuesday, Director
Jim Devasher said not getting the grant was a big disappointment. He talked
with people in Frankfort, who said the proposal wasn't considered because
no new projects were funded from the Byrne grant fund.

The task force received a promise of $50,000 from a federal methamphetamine
grant from Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Hopkinsville. That money should come in
early November, Devasher said.

Devasher reworked the budget, accounting for that grant, along with $12,500
from each participant and $10,000 from the Logan County Sheriff's Drug
Fund. He has also contacted judges in the area to ask them to place a fee
on each drug case handled by the task force to help fund it. Logan County
received $22,498 from similar fees last year.

"People who violate the law should be funding the task force," Devasher said.

More money could be coming from the state and federal level, he said, but
the task force isn't relying on anything it hasn't been promised.

"We need all we can get," he said.

He is still looking for a special prosecutor to handle the task force's
cases, as well as the funding to pay for one.

The task force is made up of officers from Logan, Butler and Simpson county
sheriff's offices and Russellville and Franklin police departments.

Several cases are already open, Devasher said.

The court also approved a resolution adopting goals and objectives for the
Logan Joint Cities and County Planning Commission. The goals were developed
by the Barren River Area Development District after holding several
meetings in Logan County to gather input from citizens.

One of the goals is to develop land use and growth management regulations
and policies. Judge-Executive John Guion said that goal will be up to the
fiscal court.

"I really think we need to look at it," Magistrate Jo Orange said.

Magistrate Dickie Carter said that will take a lot of work.

"I think it's a good thing," he said.

Magistrate Harris Dockins said passing the goals and objectives is not
setting a land use policy. Details usually cause problems, he said.