Branham

Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham presented to the Fiscal Court Tuesday a dire five-year financial outlook projecting $2.4 million in funding shortages by 2012. The county, still emerging from a 2004 financial crisis, is poised to spend more than it collects in revenue every year for the next five years, according to his report, and could face a severe deficit if capital outlay surpluses are not built up. "We need to have changes in our financial structure," Branham said.

Marilyn Bostic, Winchester Lions Club president, presented Henry Branham, out-going president, with the Past President's Plaque at the club's annual picnic held at Lions Community Park. Alice Tucker was presented the Lion of the Year Award at the recent annual picnic of the Winchester Lions Club. Dickie Piercefield, Lions state secretary, made the presentation. Mrs. Tucker was recognized for her contributions to the club and to the community.

Two awards were presented at the Winchester Lions Club's annual picnic Thursday evening at Lions Community Park. Alice Tucker was given the "Lion of the Year" award for dedicated service as club secretary, and Henry Branham was awarded the past president plaque for outstanding service during his tenure. Along with the potluck supper, an evening of fellowship was enjoyed. Present were Paul Baber, Bill and Faye Bender with guest Lorraine Hudson, Gayl and Marilyn Bostic, Henry and Gloria Branham, Clint and Madeline Bumgardner, J. Ben Falmlen, Harvey and Sarah Frye, Richard and Nannie Garrett, with guests Garland and Gerri Roe, Don and Nancy Keffer, Dickie Piercefield, Mrs. Tucker and Dwight and ElizabethWhisman.

Two magistrates of the Clark County Fiscal Court challenged County Judge-Executive Henry Branham Wednesday on comments he made earlier this month about magistrates meeting together. Second District Magistrate Joe McCord and 1st District Magistrate Rick Smith expressed concerns over a May 9 comment in which Branham said a group of magistrates has a vendetta against his office staff and are meeting before court meetings. The comment was made in an interview with the Sun shortly after the court gave a first round of approval to the county's $12 million budget for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

Frank and Debbie Greene of Winchester and Jeff and Karen Bayless of Florida announce the engagement and forthcoming marriage of their daughter, Lori Bayless, to Danny Branham Jr., son of Danny Branham and Patricia Branham. The bride-elect is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University and is employed by Clark County GIS (Geographic Information System). Branham is a graduate of Transylvania University in Lexington and is employed in management at Meijer of Lexington. The wedding will take place at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Central Baptist Church.

Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham presented a $12 million budget proposal to the Fiscal Court Wednesday that boosts salaries, predicts higher health care costs and implements a new long-term saving strategy. The 2007-08 blueprint for spending also assumes that the Fiscal Court will take the compensating rate on property taxes - a rate that allows county government to only collect the same amount of property tax revenue as the previous year and usually causes no significant increases to taxpayers.

Clark County Judge-Executive Henry Branham doled out appointments Wednesday to six county committees that will help determine government policy on roads, fire services and Community Foundation Grants, among other things.Branham said he made the 19 appointments based partly on the personal requests and preferences of the magistrates. "I took all those things into account and tried to come up with some good working committees," he said. Magistrates Steve Palmer, Vanessa Oaks Rogers and Joe McCord, County Clerk Anita Jones and Jailer Bobby Stone were appointed to the insurance committee.

With a new term of the Clark County Fiscal Court preparing to take office in a matter of days, County Judge-Executive-elect Henry Branham is already laying the groundwork for two of his main goals this year: consensus and communication. The former county treasurer said last week he has begun meeting with magistrates and elected officials to discuss county matters and provide early insight into his plans for the judge-executive's office. He even attended a Winchester Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

Democratic challenger Henry Branham unseated Republican incumbent John Myers in the battle for Clark County judge-executive last night by a margin of nearly 2 to 1. The former county treasurer turned candidate won election to the county's highest office amid a strong Democratic showing, with victories for the fiscal court and county attorney's race. Branham carried about 63.5 percent of the vote to Myers' 36.4 percent and chalked up large margins in every city and county precinct.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold W. (Linda) Ballard of Winchester and Donald Ray Branham of Whitesburg announce the engagement of their daughter, Sherry Lee Branham, to Timothy Ray Ehringer, both of Somerset.Miss Branham is the granddaughter of Inis Nelson of Winchester. Ehringer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cleatus Ehringer of Louisville and the late Mintia Ehringer. The bride-elect is a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School and graduated as a registered nurse from the Eastern Kentucky University Nursing Program in Richmond.