Over $1.6 Million in Grants for Rowan
We were recently visited by Governor Andy Beshear, Senior Advisor Rocky Adkins for some very impactful funding announcements. Their visit speaks volumes to this administration’s commitment to our community, and Eastern Kentucky as a whole. However, these individuals weren’t just here with us for this one day, they’re with us every day working to make your county a better place to live and work.
The line of communication between this County and Frankfort is an open one, and it is well used. When Rowan County has a need, we call, and they answer. They know when we identify a need here at the local level, it’s going to be a critical project, and they are always willing to help us toward our goals. I can’t stress enough how important that their support is to a community that’s growing the way we are.
We’ve worked with all of these individuals to bring better paying jobs to this community, better roads for you to drive, better internet access, the list goes on. Now with their support of $1,000,000, we will be constructing a second ambulance service for the citizens of Morehead and Rowan County. The site will serve as a hub for emergency medical services in the eastern half of the County, cutting response times dramatically for our people in need. It’ll also help us to service transfers from a regional medical facility; something that not all counties or ambulance services have to deal with. This is a day with an impact that will be felt by Rowan Countians 30 years from now, long after we’ve all moved on. It’s also a very special day for us to recognize a person who was very instrumental in the creation of the Morehead-Rowan County Ambulance Service.
John B. Pete Hamm, a native of Rowan County has spent his lifetime serving his country, serving his community and serving others. Pete spent twenty years in the Air Force. He served during the occupation of Germany, the Korean War, and Vietnam. He retired from the military in October of 1971 and returned home to Morehead with his wife, Mary Louise Koski, and three children, John, Rob, and Mary Beth.
Upon his return to Morehead, Pete was involved in the development of the Morehead City Park. Pete also served veterans and their families for decades in a variety of roles such as Service Officer, Chaplin, and as a member of the American Legion Honor Guard. He was a charter member of the Veteran’s Association and was involved in the planning, fund raising, research, and building of Freedom Park and the memorial wall. Pete also served as a School Board member for twelve years from 1981 to 1992. Currently, Pete is an active member of the Morehead Optimist Club and the Clearfield Tabernacle Church of God. Although it is obvious that Pete loves his hometown, the people, and the community, today we want to focus on Pete’s influence and impact on the Morehead Rowan Ambulance Service where he worked a second career from the service’s beginning in July of 1972 until he retired in 1992.
In 1972, Pete was assigned as the director of the newly established Morehead Rowan Ambulance Service. In the beginning it was a bare bones operation with only one ambulance and only in-county service. Pete was tasked with the challenge of hiring employees, setting schedules, growing the business, following state and federal regulations, all while operating on a shoestring budget. The first employees had Red Cross training, but EMT training soon followed. In the early years, Pete served not only as the director but also as a backup ambulance driver if the need arose.
Through solid leadership, creativity, and community support, the service grew from a one vehicle operation that was housed at City Hall to a three vehicle in and out of county operation by 1978. It was at this time when the service moved to a new location on Old Flemingsburg Road. Pete continued to expand the service during his tenure. To improve patient care, he recruited employees to attend Paramedics school and the ambulance service paid for the training. In return, the recruits committed to remain at the service for two years upon graduation. At the time of his retirement in June of 1992, the service had five ambulances and over twenty-five employees and the first paramedics on staff. The service was self-sufficient and was recognized as one of the best ambulance services in the state. Pete’s insight, dedication, and leadership, along with a quality, dedicated staff began the process that allows us to be here celebrating today.
In honor of Pete and as a small thanks for his dedication to Rowan County, today we are going to dedicate the new ambulance station as the Pete B. Hamm Station.
Moreover, the $200,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant we’ve been awarded will help us to make Cave Run Lake a more accessible place for all of our people. The construction of an ADA fishing pier and facilities will allow ALL of our citizens, regardless of disability, to enjoy this great natural beauty in the same way. I’d like to thank and recognize Mrs. Joy Brown, our tourism director, for all of her work on this project, as well as our friends at Fish & Wildlife, the Forestry Service, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Finally, and something I got surprised with, a $391,000 discretionary check from the Governor for the resurfacing of the entirety of Bullfork – almost 8 miles of road. It’s a road that hasn’t seen major resurfacing work in over 10 years, and we have hundreds of citizens who call it home. With over 300 miles of road in the county to maintain, there is no earthly way that we could do this without this support from Governor Beshear. The Fiscal Court and the people of Rowan County are truly grateful for this great win for our county.
Governor Beshear and his administration want the best for Kentucky, and the best for Rowan County. They do a lot more than show up for the pictures, they’re committed to us and our future. We thank them for these awards, and for their service to Rowan County.
