Pubdate: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 Source: Kentucky New Era (KY) Copyright: 2002 Kentucky New Era Contact: http://www.kentuckynewera.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1628 Author: Michele Carlton PADD CELEBRATES ACCOMPLISHMENTS, HONORS REGIONAL DRUG TASK FORCE Growing up, Dave Stone admits he was rarely asked to sing in front of an audience. A writer, author and pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Stone said there was one exception. "My parents used to ask me to sing to church hymns," Stone quipped. "'Softly and Tenderly' and 'On a hill far away.'" Stone spoke to a crowd of 300 community and business leaders at the 33rd annual meeting of the Pennyrile Area Development District at the Western Kentucky State Fairgrounds Convention Center Monday. "The Pennyrile Area Development District is representative of some of the best in the commonwealth of Kentucky," Stone said. "I'm here to remind you that your purpose is to serve the people." Stone advised volunteers and employees of PADD to continue to put forth the effort, encouragement and be an example to others through their community work. "All of us have gifts, talents and abilities that we can use to serve the people," he said. "The question is whether or not you're willing to be that type of servant." In addition, the W.W. "Bill" Bryan Memorial Award was given to the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force. The award is presented to the individual or group that embodies the spirit of regional cooperation in honor of the late Bryan, the first PADD chairman. In November 1987, the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force was formed by 28 units of local government to address the problem of illegal drug activity in this region. Over its 15-year history, the task force has had 6,500 investigations. Approximately, 4,400 arrests have been made and 189 methamphetamine labs have been destroyed. "Through the dedication of the agents, the cooperation of the law enforcement community and the leadership of the task force board of directors, the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force is truly a model for regional cooperatives," said Lyn Bailey, vice chairman for PADD and mayor of Cadiz. Cheyenne Albro, Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force director, accepted the award. "The history of Pennyrile Narcotics and the things we've done speak for itself. It's your task force. You're the ones that had the wisdom to put it together and make it work," he said. "I accept this award on behalf of you." Bailey presented the award in the absence of Bryan's son, former Hopkinsville mayor Wally Bryan, who was bitten by a dog earlier in the day and could not attend the event. In the annual report, PADD executive director Dan Bozarth said amidst national tragedy, progress was made in the region over the past year. "In spite of the events of Sept. 11, we've had a really good year," he said. "We've continued to make progress and we've had a lot of activities." Bozarth said 10 companies have announced plans to open plants in the district in the past year, creating 1,000 jobs. Approximately 3,000 downsized or laid-off workers received job assistance in regional career development centers in the past year. "The good news is that about 80 percent of them have already been placed in other jobs at about 96 percent of the wage that they were making when they were downsized or laid off," Bozarth said. "The important thing about these career centers and workforce centers is that they focus everyone's attention in the community on skilled workers. I think everyone agrees that's the future of economic development in our region." Staff members receiving longevity awards for their service to PADD were Craig Morris, five years; Bernard Standard, 10 years; Tim Barnes, 15 years; Brenda Orten and Neville Rust, 25 years. PADD directors also elected several individuals to serve for three-year terms starting July 1. Elected were: F.E. Whitney, Bart Frazier, Stacia Peyton, Hazel Demery, Kay McCollum, Steve Allen and Agnes Radford. The evening closed with a duet by Hopkinsville Mayor Rich Liebe and Madisonville Mayor Karen Cunningham of "God Bless America." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens