08-07-2025
Maynard shares ‘inspiring' update
CATLETTSBURG As he does regularly at city and county government meetings, Hillcrest-Bruce Mission's director provided what the judge-executive labeled 'inspiring' update during Tuesday's Boyd County Fiscal Court meeting.
Mike Maynard shared a few stories about people overcoming adversity and experiencing success through the Mission's programs.
Maynard told the county commission about a man Hillcrest-Bruce has assisted for three years who enjoyed buying his first car. He's a Boyd County Schools employee now.
Maynard also spoke about a woman who had landed in jail, got evicted and lost custody of her children all in one weekend. She initially turned away from Hillcrest-Bruce's help only to return two months later.
'She graduated drug court last week,' Maynard said. 'She has a house, she has a job, she has visitation, and we were able to gift her a vehicle to help her get a better-paying job. … That was about a two-and-a-half-year, three-year process.'
As of last month, 264 people have been in Hillcrest-Bruce Mission's programs over the last seven years, according to Maynard — 185 of them have landed jobs and are no longer on government assistance.
'That's what it's all about — helping people become self-sufficient because there's dignity in being able to take care of yourself,' he said. '… We are blessed to have partnerships we have in order to do what we do.
'We're looking to expand our services,' he added. 'So I appreciate your all's support.'
'It's always inspiring when you come in here and share these stories,' Judge-Executive Eric Chaney said. 'Keep doing what you're doing. You're appreciated.'
Hillcrest-Bruce Mission is at 1819 Eloise Street in Ashland. Visit or call (606) 324-5723 for more information.
Other notable items from Tuesday's meeting:
• Kacy Abrams, the county's community development director, previewed a couple of upcoming events — Sno-Cones and Suncatchers at Armco Park Shelter 5 on Friday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and the Boyd County Repair Affair on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Project applications will be accepted for Repair Affair through July 31. Applicants must own their home and reside in an unincorporated Boyd County area. Applicants must be at least 60 years old or certified as disabled. Applications are available at the Boyd County Courthouse or accessible online at
• David Bland, of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, supplied information to the fiscal court about the organization that does 'everything we can to get our contractors work,' he said. IUPAT contractors have contributed heavily to major projects in the area such as Sandy's Gaming and the UK King's Daughters emergency department.
Bland, who is from Parkersburg, West Virginia, said the union focuses on construction and finishing trades — painting, drywall finishing, sign/display work and floor covering are among them. He said the union is making a push to bring in more women to the crafts.
'Women make great painters and drywall finishers because of their attention to detail,' Bland said.
Visit for more information.
• The Boyd County Conservation District, which received $60,000 from a recent Kentucky Department of Agriculture settlement, is running a cost-share program in the county until July 25. The program is in place to help agricultural operations protect the soil and water resources and to implement agriculture water quality plans.
Email bcconservation@ or call (606) 928-8027 for more information.
• Commissioner Jeremy Holbrook reminded citizens to be aware of the Rock the Country festival this weekend, which is expected to bring in a large turnout to the fairgrounds and the area, in general, over the next few days.
'We are going to have busier roads, we're going to have packed gas stations and, more than likely, longer waits for our favorite restaurants,' Holbrook said. 'We know this, but to remind everybody, of the trickle-down effect of the economy of festivals like this. ... Like last year, I pray that the number of incidents that occur at this are the lowest on the tour. We had a great festival last year. … Some people are going to be coming to Boyd County for the first time, so that's an honor for us.'
• The next Boyd County Fiscal Court meeting is slated for Tuesday, Aug. 12, at noon.
(606) 326-2664 |
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