Wayne County Outlook

Fiscal Court joins City in support of guard member
Melodie Phelps
News Editor

The Wayne County Fiscal Court joined city government in a resolution

supporting a member of the local National Guard unit. The court approved the

resolution during a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, less than 24 hours after

Monticello City Council had given it their approval.

While no specific details have been released, the resolution requests

that Kentucky congressmen launch an inquiry into an incident involving Sgt.

Ricky Burke that apparently occurred in March in Iraq. Family members of the

soldier have approached city and county government officials regarding this

matter.

"This is a situation where Ricky needs the support of our community,"

District Four Magistrate Wade Upchurch told court members during the meeting

last week.

Upchurch, a former coach, said that Burke is a former basketball player

for him and he said the soldier has always shown good character.

"I want to ask anyone out there, if you know Ricky and you would like to

prepare a statement about what kind of person he was, to write that

statement," said Upchurch.

County Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey also voiced his support for Burke

and all the troops who are serving in Iraq.

"We may differ on many different things, but when it comes to our

fighting men, we are all together...Their lives are on the line for us,"

said Ramsey.

Though it is uncertain what has occurred in Iraq concerning Burke, The

Outlook reprinted a story in April that relayed details of an ambush that

occurred near Baghdad. The article was originally published in the Anaconda

Times, a newspaper for the base where the local troops are stationed.

According to the article soldiers with B Battery, which includes the

local National Guard soldiers, in a coordinated effort with the 617th

Military Police Company and the 1075th Transportation Company fought off and

turned the tables on an ambush on March 20. Burke was quoted several times

throughout that article, as the events of the ambush were related.

Some of the local officials believe that this is the incident that may

be in question right now, but there has been no specific information

released to anyone. Upchurch said that he was going to try to speak with

Kentucky Adjutant General Donald Storm about this matter. Upchurch indicated

that Burke�s leave had been denied and he had not been allowed to come home

for a visit like many other local soldiers.

The resolution regarding Burke was unanimously approved by the court.

Also during Tuesday�s meeting, the court agreed to purchase $29,000

worth of equipment for the county fire truck. The list of equipment was

recommended by the City-County Fire Committee.

Ramsey said the county had included $25,000 in the budget to purchase

fire equipment.

The court approved hiring Sarah Ellis as a part-time county dispatcher.

Ramsey said the Ellis will fill a vacancy created when the city hired a

part-time dispatcher for a full-time position.

Ramsey noted that Ellis would only fill in for vacation or sick time for

another county dispatcher.

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