Small Town News

Meeting draws crowd to hear future of FWC

---

Board president says health center will remain open after December

With many county officials, business leaders and other community members filling the main gathering hall of the Ohio County Senior Center last Tuesday, Dr. Janna Pathi was able to get their attention with what he dubbed the "Save the Family Wellness Center Summit."

Pathi, a Family Wellness Center board member, organized the meeting to be a pep rally for raising funds for the building's $3.8 million debt service and to provide a forum for questions to be answered about the health facility's future.

"Looking at all of the people here, my faith in the community is well placed," Pathi said.

One of the main objectives of the meeting was to quash any fears that Family Wellness Center would be forced to close its doors in December.

In July, Board President Eddie Embry and Executive Director Keith Bennett said the $160,000 payment for interest and principal would not be made unless it received outside financial help.

They made a plea to the public for small or large donations. And the Family Wellness Center has tried to do its part by hosting fundraisers.

Dr. Bob Johnson, who spearheaded the idea of constructing a health and fitness center nearly 10 years ago, said numerous attempts at grants have been made without success.

"We felt surely that through our political connections with Frankfort, otfr government officials, state senators and representatives and other contacts that there would be some funding available to help us with the debt service," Johnson said. "Amazingly, that just hasn't happened and I'm totally puzzled at that.

"We've had attempts at some grants" and nothing. I know the funds are out there, especially programs to help the kids, but we haven't been able to tap into a nickel of that."

During last week's meeting, Embry said progress has been made with Ross SinClair, the loan company that financed the project. The Ohio County Board of Education will not have its regular meeting today.

It was been rescheduled for Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. at Beaver Dam Elementary School media center.

Board members will tour the new building prior to the special called meeting at 5 p.m.



Copyright 2009 The Ohio County Times-News, Hartford, Kentucky. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2009 The Ohio County Times-News Hartford, Kentucky. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

More from The Ohio County Times-News