On Thursday, May 19, Daviess County Fiscal Court welcomed a delegation from Olomouc, Owensboro’s sister city in the Czech Republic.
“Since the first day here, we have felt like we are among our friends and we have been a member of your family during the 30 years,” said Mayor Miroslav Žbánek. “We have been able to come to your city and get to know your culture. And I’m glad we could do the same and present our culture to you.”
Žbánek said one topic that had been discussed at length during the trip was the war in Ukraine.
“I would like to say the U.S. and Czech Republic are living in peace and wealth,” he told the Court. “Nevertheless, I would like to mention that only 600 kilometers from our Czech border, there are Russian aggressors attacking Ukraine and throwing bombs on their cities.”
Olomouc has become a shelter for roughly 3,000 refugees, and Žbánek expects that many of them will never return home due to the devastation in Ukraine.
“Speaking on behalf of our sister city, Chernivtsi, we forward greetings and thankfulness for the support your country shows to Ukraine,” Žbánek said.
“Thirty years ago, it was your city, your country which opened their arms and welcomed us to a democratic world,” he concluded. “And we believe this will be done also with Ukrainian cities and they will be so warmly welcomed once the war is over. And they might become sister cities, not only to American cities but to the cities all over the world.”
Owensboro Sister Cities & Regions (OSCAR) is still accepting donations for the Ukrainian Relief Fund. Click here to learn more.
The delegation from Olomouc is scheduled to depart this weekend. They’ve spent the past several days touring cultural attractions and meeting with area leaders.
Other News
Daviess County Fiscal Court will apply for a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant through the Federal Highway Administration. If approved, the funds would be used to extend the Greenbelt from Daniels Lane to Yellow Creek Park at the Reid Road entrance.
The Daviess County Detention Center will seek grant funding through the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security for backup computer storage.
Fiscal Court approved a Special Event Rental Agreement with the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum for ROMP Festival, scheduled for June 22-25 at Yellow Creek Park.
A contract was awarded for inspection services on the new cell construction at the Landfill. For quality control, the state requires an independent third-party to perform density testing on the clay layers and the placement of the gravel. Another contract will be awarded to oversee the installation of the plastic liner.
Fiscal Court approved a change order for mowing right-of-way bid agreements, due to rising fuel costs.
Personnel
Ashton Chapman will join the Department of Public Works as a Road Department Mechanic.
James Sterling has been hired as an Administration Courier and Service Technician.
Jeff Martin has been promoted to Heavy Equipment Operator in the Solid Waste Department.
Ethan Pierce and Preston Smith were hired as Seasonal Park Attendants.