KDFWL sets town hall meetings

By Chris Erwin

Have you ever wanted to talk to the people who run the Department of Fish & Wildlife? If so, you may have a chance to do just that.

The KDFWL has announced a series of nine town-hall meetings starting Feb.13, in Lexington and continuing until April 2, with a final meeting in Morehead. However, meetings are subject to rescheduling due to bad weather.

The meetings are designed to engage the public, KDFLWL is striving for a more informed and involved public. Commissioner Jon Gassett and managers of the departments’ various programs will be on hand to answer questions, provide updates and discuss issues of interest to hunters, anglers, trappers, boaters and other wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts. The commission member representing the district will also attend the meeting.

Mark Marraccini with the KDFWL, expressed the agency’s desire to “fill the room” at the Carl D. Perkins building in Morehead on April 2 at 7p.m. Town Hall meetings are free and open to the public.

This is your chance to ask a question, find out answers and even make suggestions. Our fish and wildlife service has, in my opinion, been a very positive force in Kentucky. The more you know, the more you, and your family, can take advantage of the opportunities that have been provided to not only Bluegrass residents but wildlife tourists who brings dollars into our state.

Here is the complete meeting schedule. The local area is in the 8^th district.   All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. local time.

* Lexington, 6th Wildlife District: Monday, Feb. 13. Meeting to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park, North Exhibit Hall, Iron Works Road. Use the main entrance. This district includes Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Powell, Rockcastle, Scott and Woodford counties.

* Louisville, 3rd Wildlife District: Wednesday, Feb. 15. Meeting to be held at the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park Community Center, 2201 Lakeland Road. This district includes Breckinridge, Bullitt, Jefferson, Meade, Oldham, Shelby and Spencer counties.

* Burlington, 5th Wildlife District: Thursday, Feb. 16. Meeting to be held in Britt Hall, Immaculate Heart of Mary, 5876 Veterans Way. This district includes Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton, Robertson and Trimble counties.

* LeBurn, 7th Wildlife District: Wednesday, March 21. Meeting to be held at Knott County Sportsplex, 450 Kenny Champion Loop. This district includes Breathitt, Floyd, Johnson, Harlan, Knott, Lawrence, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike counties.

* Somerset, 9th Wildlife District: Thursday, March 22. Meeting to be held at The Center for Rural Development, 2292 South U.S. 27. This district includes Bell, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Wayne and Whitley counties.

* Gilbertsville, 1st Wildlife District: Monday, March 26. Meeting to be held at the Kentucky Dam Village Convention Center, 113 Administration Drive. This district includes Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken, Marshall and Trigg counties.

* Powderly, 2nd Wildlife District: Tuesday, March 27. Meeting to be held at the Merle Travis Music Center, 750 Cleaton Road. This district includes Allen, Butler, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, Logan, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Todd, Union, Warren and Webster counties.

* Campbellsville, 4th Wildlife District: Wednesday, March 28. Meeting to be held at the Banquet Hall in the Badgett Academic Support Center, Campbellsville University, 110 University Drive. This district includes Adair, Barren, Cumberland, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Marion, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nelson, Taylor and Washington counties.

* Morehead, 8th Wildlife District: Monday, April 2. Meeting to be held at the Perkins Center, KY 32, 1/2 mile south of I-64 on the right. This district includes Bath, Bourbon, Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Rowan and Wolfe counties.

I will attend the 8^th District meeting, come on out and join us. We hope to see you there.

Editors Note: This column first appeared in the Greater Ashland Beacon.