As the new year gets off and running, there's development in virtually every direction in Nelson County. Indeed, 2004 was a good year for commercial and residential development and prospects look good for 2005 as well.
Development last year topped $110 million, up 41 percent from the previous year. A good chunk of that money was in commercial development, as the city is poised for additional retail and professional office growth. New pockets of development are likely to be seen, too.
Throughout last year, smaller strip malls were constructed. The handsome new Flaget Hospital is still on its course to open later this year. On the other end of KY 245 is the Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Activity is happening on U.S. 150 and off the Blue Grass Parkway as well. Churches are expanding. Professional buildings have been and are being constructed, in addition to the on going residential development that started in the early nineties and continues to mushroom.
With an unemployment rate down to 3.8 percent plus an expanding population, Nelson County is indeed poised for growth.
We can and should count our blessings.
Bardstown principal deserving of honor
The naming of Bardstown High School principal Tom Hamilton as the Secondary School Principal of the Year for Kentucky is not only an honor for the Bardstown native, but for the school system and the entire community.
Attracting talented educators has been one of the strong suits of the Bardstown Independent School System. Even more important has been the ability to retain quality teachers and administrators.
The honor for Hamilton is well deserved and perhaps overdue. His professionalism and work ethic coupled with his knowledge of our community make Hamilton an ideal fit for Bardstown and that has translated into performance appreciated and recognized by his peers in the teaching profession.
Educators such as Hamilton cannot function and succeed in a vacuum. He correctly acknowledges the "culture" of the school system makes him look good. The teachers, the other staff, the custodians and cafeteria workers who look for "teaching moments" when dealing with students. Of course Hamilton has been instrumental in promoting this attitude and has provided the leadership to foster a "team approach" to providing an atmosphere in which students are encouraged to do more than put in their time.
