PINEVILLE - Newly elected Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock has a number of goals he would like to guide the county toward in the next six months.

“In the next six months I would like to have been able to secure funding, through the state, at the tune of 11 million dollars to complete the road to the Pine Mountain Regional Industrial Park. I'm working on that right now,” Brock stated.

He says during that process, he hopes to open up lines of communication, after securing funding for the industrial park on U.S. Hwy. 119, with the federal government, through Congressman Hal Rogers' office. “I hope to get funding, engineering and design work done on having sewer and water and site preparation done. I have been told a rough estimate is about $15 million dollars,” said Brock.

Brock wants to put that project on the fast track and hopes that within the first three months of this term to have funding for the industrial park. “We will be able to get $10 million from the state and I'm going to be asking the community for their help,” he stated.

Since Governor Ernie Fletcher has asked the public for suggestions in spending the excess of $20 million in funds, Judge Brock says he will be e-mailing the governor to ask for funding to complete the roadway to the Pine Mountain Regional Industrial Park. He is also asking that every person in the counties involved to e-mail or write the governor, even if it is only a couple lines, asking for his help in getting the industrial park funded, so it can be finished.

Those who wish to e-mail the governor, may do so by accessing his web site at http://governor.ky.gov, where there is a link to e-mail comments or suggestions to Fletcher. Governor Fletcher's phone number is (502) 564-2611, his fax number is (502) 564-2517, and the number for Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is 502-564-9551.

“Right now, this is the most important project, to get that park in finished form so we can sell it to prospective manufacturers,” stated Brock.

Another goal is to work with the Bell County Industrial Foundation to complete the Whitmer Industrial Park in Middlesboro along with the technical industrial park near Southeast Community College.

“On the job economic development front, those are the two primary areas of focus,” Brock said.

Getting enhanced E-911 completed also is a goal. Judge Brock says it may be about a year and a half before the project is completed in Bell County. “Paul Wilson, our DES Director, has done an unbelievably fantastic job in a short period of time,” he said complimenting Wilson for his work. “We still have to get $600,000 more in funding and I'm assisting him in completing that project,” stated Brock.

Tourism also is on Brock's short list.

“On the Cumberland Ford Project, I understand they have resubmitted for a grant. I'm looking forward to sitting down and assisting them in any way I can to see to it that it gets funding. It will not only be an economic benefit to Pineville, but to the entire county,” he said.

Through the promotion of the Cumberland Ford also would come mentions of Pine Mountain State Park, The Narrows, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and other area scenic and historic locations.

“In the past we have promoted tourism through the visitor's center. I don't think human behavior has been factored in that. It is rather difficult for any of us who travel and have kids to turn around and back up. If we can stop them, here in Pineville, with the Ford Project, we can then give them brochures and show them what's down the road,” stated Brock. He says that will help in getting people to come to downtown Middlesboro to help revive the town.

Animal control has been a very hot topic for county residents. Brock says he is well aware of the problem. “We are blessed, I feel, to have Jennifer Nagle running the animal shelter. She has my 100 percent support. We are going to continue the work she has been doing. We are going to have animal control in Middlesboro at an unprecedented level. I ask the people of Middlesboro to be patient with me. We will be addressing the animal control issue and giving the taxpayers of Middlesboro more for their money.”

Brock says he has already began talking with Middlesboro officials about ways the county and city can work in maintaining roads. There are certain ways the county can use county equipment in cities. Brock says he is looking at how the county can legally help Middlesboro with county equipment. Snow removal was just one example of how the county could help.

Residents should see a big change in how citizens can get work done one public right-of-ways. Brock says magistrates will take a more active role and citizens can call their magistrates, instead of the judge's office, when they need work done. Workers can then be scheduled to work in those areas.

“I'm in the process of organizing two crews from the jail. We are going to have a very aggressive weed and limb removal crew. It isn't expensive to do, it just simply takes the will and initiative to do it,” explained Brock. He says the crews will go into each community and go to the end of the roads and work their way to the main road and then go to the next one. He says there will be a lot more planning on keeping county roads clean of debris.

C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.