Thursday, 06 March 2014 14:16 Ann Beckett

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Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway General Manager, Tommy House, spoke to the Fiscal Court Thursday requesting that hours of operations for racing be set to cut off at 11:30, explaining the many variables that go into a night of racing.

BENTON – Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City, under new owners James Hale and Ronald Jones of Cloverleaf Realty, LLC. were issued an entertainment permit and hours of operation set Thursday at the Fiscal Court meet but not without much debate and discussion between track General Manager Tommy House, who requested the hours be set for racing to cut off at 11:30 p.m. while Calvert City resident, Dr. Gary Smith, who has been the most vocal in opposition to the track, asked for a cut off time of 10:00 p.m.

The previous owner’s permit stated no races were to begin after midnight.

Research required and performed by County Attorney Jeff Edwards found the new owners to be of good character and in good standing in accordance with state regulations.

“In my judgement, we need to give them every opportunity to be successful but at the same time to bear in mind the peace and tranquility of the people who live in that area”, Judge Mike Miller said.
House, who requested that track hours be set at 11:30, said the track will only operate on Saturdays.

“The only time it would not be just on Saturday would be a special event such as World of Outlaws or Lucas Oil, which would be on rare occassions”, House said.
House also said that those special events will probably not even be possible this season due to the lateness in scheduling saying that events such as those already have their schedule set for the upcoming season.
The Saturday hours were set due to racing on Friday at the Paducah International Raceway, whose season is still questionable.

House thanked the court for the opportunity to do business in Marshall County saying they are willing to comply with anybody any way they can to try to make this good for everyone.
Racing is scheduled to begin the end of March but due to the recent inclement weather conditions, House said he hopes that racing can begin in mid-April with gates opening at 4:00, early hot laps around 6:30-7:00, then racing until no later than 11:30.

“We by no means want to be there all night either”, House said. “We want to get home and get up on Sunday for church just like everyone else.”
Jones said the track plans to run four classes of cars, especially at the beginning.

“Most tracks run six to eight different classes but we plan to run four which timewise, will allow us to get out of there earlier than 11:30 some nights”, House said.
Commissioner Misti Drew sais she polled local citizens online, many of which were in Calvert City which is her district, and reported that most thought an 11:30-12:00 cut off would be reasonable.

“We know this is a compromise, so Dr. Smith, if we’re talking one night a week versus two, since you’ve been speaking on behalf of the residents for the most part, is 11:30 something you can live with?” Drew asked.
“No ma’am”, Smith said. “We are aksing for 10:00 and if it goes past 11:30, we’re going to seek an injunction, I’ll just tell you that much.”

Miller told Smith that it is his right to seek an injuction and go to civil court but said it was the Fiscal Court’s responsibility to give them an opportunity to be successful.
“It is our responsibility to protect our health”, Smith said. “If we have to seek an injuction, I will have an opportunity to get medical doctors treating my brother, who cannot leave his residence.” Smith’s brother and sister were also on hand, requesting the 10:00 cut off time.

Speaking to House, Miller said, “Once we set the time, whoever is leading at that time, they better be the winner or get ready to pay a penalty for every minute you are over.”
Miller said he had no problem with 11:30 but emphasized that all racing must cease at that time.
“I’m not going through what I’ve gone through before”, Miller said in regards to the previous owners of the track.
Edwards said that a violation could result in forfeiture of their permit.

Miller asked for input from the commissioners but the decision ultimately would be made by him.
“It’s a tough situation”, Commissioner Terry Anderson said. “I wouldn’t want it next to my house but I understand their position too. They have a right to open a business and try to be successful, but unfortunately today, we have to sit here and decide their fate. I wish it could be over by 10:00 but I don’t know if that’s possible”.
Smith sais he feels the community is taking “all the hit” in this situation.

“Set the hours at 10:30, no later than 11:00, and we all walk out of here trying to live with it”, Smith said.
Drew, in speaking to Smith the previous day, was in favor of 11:00 if they were going to race both Friday and Saturday.
“If we’re talking about one night, I would be more understanding of 11:30”, Drew said. “It’s not an easy thing to do, because I represent the citizens of Calvert City and also have to look at the interest of everyone. All I can do is try to strike a compromise”.

Commissioner Bob Gold stated that in most of the comments he has received from Calvert City residents, an 11:00-11:30 cut off time was reasonable.
Smith asked that the commissioners be polled individually and it be put into the minutes how each voted.

Drew, once again reiterated that she is okay with an 11:30 cut off, as was Miller, while Gold and Anderson would like to see an 11:00 cut off with Gold stating that he would not be opposed to 11:30 if that is deemed most reasonable.
The polling of the commissioners did not constitute a vote, but solely their personal opinion.

Hours of operation were then set at 6:30-11:30 p.m. with noise from racing only between those hours.