"I've got more homework to do," said Portwood as he left.
In other business Monday, the City Council received three bids from sanitation firms for residential curbside pickup:
* DEW M&M Sanitation: $10.15 per month for one pickup each week; $50 for any pickup containing freon; and $25 for any bulk items except those containing freon.
* Rumpke of Kentucky Inc.: $11.90; $50; and $15 for the same services.
* Dart Sanitation Inc.: $12; $15; and $20, also for the same services.
By law, the council has 14 days to respond to the bids. The committee set up to examine options to alleviate Lancaster's sanitation woes will now scrutinize the bids and present its findings at a special meeting set for 7 p.m. Monday at the Billy C. Moss Municipal Building on Maple Avenue.
Jeremy Blansett of the American Red Cross was on hand to ask for assistance from the city. Blansett asked the city to amend its budget to include a donation to the organization. Blansett said the Red Cross assists victims of fires and other accidents in Garrard County by giving them supplies and shelter.
He said the Red Cross helped families involved in nine structure fires last year in Garrard County alone and said aid could possibly end as early as next year if additional funds are not allocated.
Blansett estimated that typical aid provided to each victim has risen from $157 to $280 due to the cost of living. The Red Cross is not funded by the government.
"We're not looking for thousands of dollars or anything like that. We're just looking for anything you can give," said Blansett.
Rinthen and the council praised the work of the Red Cross, and added the matter to the agenda for Monday's special meeting. If any funds are donated to the Red Cross, 100 percent will go toward victim relief. Blansett also said the money given will stay within the county, helping Garrard victims in need.
"If we have the money, we'll certainly do it," promised Rinthen.
Lancaster's citywide yard sale will be July 31-Aug. 2. The change in timing is due to several factors, including the desire to not be overshadowed by the massive U.S. 127 yard sale, school starting back earlier than normal, and not wanting a direct competition with Stanford's yard sale.
