 U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-5) joined local officials and students Aug. 8, 2005, to dedicate the city’s new sewer lines and kick off the “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” program in Lee County. Rogers founded and secures federal funding for Eastern Kentucky PRIDE and Operation UNITE, the regional initiatives that made possible the sewer improvements and anti-drug program.
A sewer project and drug prevention program may appear to be unrelated, but they ultimately have the same purpose, Rogers said. “Everything we do today to clean the river and clean up drugs means a better future for these young people,” he explained.
Rogers commended local officials and citizens for working together on many fronts to improve the quality of life for their children. “Your city council and fiscal court cooperate on important projects, PEP is giving kids alternatives to drugs, and your schools are teaching Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment.”
Rogers presented trophies to Paige Brinegar and Alexandria Noe, who won contests to design a fishing hat and a poster that illustrated clean water and fishing. The PEP (People Encouraging People) Coalition sponsored the contests to promote Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs, or “HOFNOD.” This Future Fisherman Foundation program pair adults as mentors to children who want to learn a fun pastime while gaining conservation and social skills. Operation UNITE promotes HOFNOD regionally, and PEP is the local organizer.
Sixty-five students from Beattyville Elementary School and Southside Elementary School released thousands of channel catfish into the Kentucky River. The fish release symbolized that the city’s sewer project would lead to less water pollution. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources provided the fish.
The Lower Creek Sewer Extension Project provided improved or new sewer service to 46 homes. The $791,000 was funded by a PRIDE grant, which was administered by the Morehead office of USDA Rural Development. Kenvirons, Inc. was the engineering firm and G & W Construction was the contractor for the project.
Mayor Charles Beach III hosted the event, held on the new fishing pier at the city’s boat ramp. He and Lee County Judge-Executive L.C. “Bub” Reese spoke about the importance of the sewer project and drug prevention efforts to the community. Kentucky’s Fish and Wildlife Resources Commissioner Jon Gassett and Betty Lewis of the Future Fisherman Foundation also addressed the crowd.
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