Perkins drafts letter to postmaster general

Aaron Snyder, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
·3 min read

Oct. 26—ASHLAND — Mayor Matt Perkins expressed frustration at recent news regarding the local post office during Thursday's Ashland City Commission meeting.

"We learned that the post office is going to be moving their distribution out of Ashland," Perkins said. "This is very concerning to me as Mayor, very concerning to the commission. Doing so, I have drafted a letter that I'll be sending to the postmaster general, expressing our concern that we were not notified in advance that this was happening, that we couldn't have worked out something to keep these services here."

Jason Haywood, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) of Ashland, told The Daily Independent on Wednesday that the post office will move its distribution service to Huntington in February 2024.

Other notable items from Thursday's meeting:

—Vicky Robinson, a Kentucky People's Union member, spoke during the public participation window. Originally from Breathitt County, she moved to Ashland and "loves it," she said, but she emphasized the need for more affordable housing in the city. She said KPU's goal — which has been conveyed in previous meetings — is to make public and enforce a landlord registry.

—City Manager Mike Graese provided an update on the Winchester Avenue streetscape project. He said workers will lay the median next week, and then they will mill the outside lines. That will move traffic to the interior lanes.

—Graese said the city will review requests for proposals on the conference center soon. They're due Friday.

—The commission approved an ordinance for the mayor to submit the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The amendment increases the plan by $80,036. The largest variances apply to Ashlsand Senior Center's storefront rehabilitation ($75,000 more), Safe Harbor's employment/education case management ($21,362 more) and Salvation Army rehabilitation ($21,421 more). Some amounts decreased from previous numbers. Perkins abstained from voting.

—The following were named to the Ashland Park Board: Charlie Holbrook, Kim Jenkins, Joe Frazier and Norma Meek. David Mansfield was appointed to the Ashland/Boyd County Airport Board. These folks were named to the Ashland Human Rights Commission: Bernice Henry and Jamie Conley.

Ronald Clark and Mike Maynard are now on the Ashland Planning Commission.

—Commissioner Amanda Clark, on behalf of Visit AKY Director Brandy Clark, said Pink Weekend is set for Nov. 18. It will highlight small businesses and Russell and Ashland. Shop Small Saturday is the following weekend.

—The commissioners and the mayor all donned masks for a few moments as they got into the Halloween spirit. Perkins reminded the public that the Central Park trick-or-treat event is set for Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. Commissioner Marty Gute reminded folks to "get your coats out; the temperature is going to drop."

—Gute said blighted properties at 2824 and 2820 Main Street are coming down. "Those residences have been eyesores for many years."

—Perkins issued a proclamation designating October Domestic Violence Awareness Month as Linda Day, of Safe Harbor, accepted said proclamation.

—Perkins said, with the commission's blessing, all city flags will be flown at half-staff for five days in memory of lives lost in the Lewiston, Maine, shooting.

(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com