Published: March 03, 2009 06:04 pm      

Kentucky First Lady impressed with Pulaski County

Somerset — Pulaski County’s new public library, the Somerset community and the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce apparently made a good impression on Kentucky’s First Lady during a visit here Tuesday.

“What a fantastic library you have!” exclaimed Jane Beshear during a brief appearance at a noon meeting of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. “You are very, very fortunate ... you raised the money for this fantastic building.”

Beshear appeared at the chamber session after spending the morning at the library reading to and observing first-graders ring the Literacy Bell. Students who read their first book to their teachers get to come in a group to the library and ring the Literacy Bell. Beshear read to the students while she was at the library.

“My day was made being with these young people,” she declared.

Beshear lauded the community for a petition-approved real property tax of 5.9 cents on each $100 of assessed value for the library. It paved the way for the library district to sell $10.7 million in revenue bonds to finance an almost incomprehensible rural-area library. The new complex on South Main Street opened last spring.

“You have the resources here ... the lake ... everything to grow and be vibrant,” she added. She praised Chuck Coldiron, president of the chamber, for his community development work, calling him “my hero.”

The first lady stressed the importance of individual responsibility. She said it takes both individual and community responsibility to effect change.

Beshear said her position as first lady “has been great ... we’ve learned so much about what we have in the commonwealth.”

A native of Bowling Green, Beshear is a businesswoman, educator and community leader. Presently she is an ex officio officer of the Kentucky Commission on Women, trustee of Frontier Nursing Service and an accomplished equestrian.

Beshear is currently trying to make the Governor’s Mansion more energy efficient and eco-friendly and encouraging businesses, schools and homes across the state to do the same.

The first lady and Gov. Steve Beshear have been married 39 years and have two sons and one grandson.