Etna Green Resident Provides Activities For Kids

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Ruth Anne Long, Times-Union Staff Writer-

ETNA GREEN - With the belief that Etna Green has a good batch of kids, one resident has been meeting with area youth and even sponsored a get-together for them.

Now Kevin Smith wants to help the kids with fund-raisers to pay for a cement slab to be poured at Heritage Park for in-line skating and other activities.

Smith, who has four children, said he doesn't want to see the kids playing in the streets. And, with rules being established that ban skating in the park, Smith said the kids are forced to use town streets.

On Saturday, Smith provided hamburgers, hot dogs and a disc jockey to show that somebody does, indeed, care about giving the kids something to do in Etna Green. About 40 kids, along with six adult chaperones, attended the event, and Smith said he'd like to plan on having one or two such gatherings each month. Dates for the events will be posted in town and published in the Times-Union under the "What's Happening" section on Thursdays.

"I was there and I had a great time with them," Smith said, adding that no problems occurred.

Smith has also been working with the youth in cleaning the park as a way to show their dedication to the town and their seriousness in providing activities for youngsters.

The proposed slab would be 26 feet by 84 feet at a thickness of 4 inches. Smith said he estimates the cost of the slab at $1,865 and that the kids are willing to work to earn the needed amount. "The kids really want this slab," he said. "They're willing to do this."

Pending a check with the town's insurance company regarding liability, the town council unanimously supported Smith's plan. If insurance costs for such an addition to the park are within reason, Smith will begin organizing fund-raising events to finance the project.

In other business during Tuesday's Etna Green Town Council meeting, approval was given to pave three streets in town.

Jim Pautsch of Phend & Brown presented costs for several streets, and the council opted to complete just three. Those are: High Street - a 200-foot section east to the cemetery; East Pleasant Street - from Ind. 19 to the dead end; and Spring Street - from Etna Street to Ind. 19. The work will be completed this fall.

Pautsch pointed out to the council that the company recently purchased the asphalt plant at J&M Gravel at Etna Green, and the road materials used in town will come from that plant.

Also approved was a $4,243 proposal to repair the roof of the fire department. Bill Morris of Lawmasters, Bourbon, said the work should take about three weeks.

Prior to the roof repairs being completed, a pipe through which cables run into the building must be fixed because of leakage problems. That work will be done by another party.

In other matters, the council:

• Heard complaints from Bill Price regarding the cost of the new computer system for the town; the fact that someone is paid to clean the fire station rather than having the work done by town employees; lack of action in cleaning catch basins; and his disagreement with the forming of a zoning board in town that would hold jurisdiction outside town limits.

• Learned that the fire department will conduct a fund drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association from 6 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 at the intersection of Old Road 30 and Ind. 19.

• Issued a reminder of budget meetings at 5 p.m. Monday and Aug. 26.

The next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in the fire station meeting room. [[In-content Ad]]

ETNA GREEN - With the belief that Etna Green has a good batch of kids, one resident has been meeting with area youth and even sponsored a get-together for them.

Now Kevin Smith wants to help the kids with fund-raisers to pay for a cement slab to be poured at Heritage Park for in-line skating and other activities.

Smith, who has four children, said he doesn't want to see the kids playing in the streets. And, with rules being established that ban skating in the park, Smith said the kids are forced to use town streets.

On Saturday, Smith provided hamburgers, hot dogs and a disc jockey to show that somebody does, indeed, care about giving the kids something to do in Etna Green. About 40 kids, along with six adult chaperones, attended the event, and Smith said he'd like to plan on having one or two such gatherings each month. Dates for the events will be posted in town and published in the Times-Union under the "What's Happening" section on Thursdays.

"I was there and I had a great time with them," Smith said, adding that no problems occurred.

Smith has also been working with the youth in cleaning the park as a way to show their dedication to the town and their seriousness in providing activities for youngsters.

The proposed slab would be 26 feet by 84 feet at a thickness of 4 inches. Smith said he estimates the cost of the slab at $1,865 and that the kids are willing to work to earn the needed amount. "The kids really want this slab," he said. "They're willing to do this."

Pending a check with the town's insurance company regarding liability, the town council unanimously supported Smith's plan. If insurance costs for such an addition to the park are within reason, Smith will begin organizing fund-raising events to finance the project.

In other business during Tuesday's Etna Green Town Council meeting, approval was given to pave three streets in town.

Jim Pautsch of Phend & Brown presented costs for several streets, and the council opted to complete just three. Those are: High Street - a 200-foot section east to the cemetery; East Pleasant Street - from Ind. 19 to the dead end; and Spring Street - from Etna Street to Ind. 19. The work will be completed this fall.

Pautsch pointed out to the council that the company recently purchased the asphalt plant at J&M Gravel at Etna Green, and the road materials used in town will come from that plant.

Also approved was a $4,243 proposal to repair the roof of the fire department. Bill Morris of Lawmasters, Bourbon, said the work should take about three weeks.

Prior to the roof repairs being completed, a pipe through which cables run into the building must be fixed because of leakage problems. That work will be done by another party.

In other matters, the council:

• Heard complaints from Bill Price regarding the cost of the new computer system for the town; the fact that someone is paid to clean the fire station rather than having the work done by town employees; lack of action in cleaning catch basins; and his disagreement with the forming of a zoning board in town that would hold jurisdiction outside town limits.

• Learned that the fire department will conduct a fund drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association from 6 a.m. to noon Aug. 24 at the intersection of Old Road 30 and Ind. 19.

• Issued a reminder of budget meetings at 5 p.m. Monday and Aug. 26.

The next regular meeting is at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 in the fire station meeting room. [[In-content Ad]]

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