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The Winchester Board of Commissioners joined the Kentucky League of Cities Monday morning in honoring state Sen. Ralph Alvarado for his work on behalf of municipalities.

The Winchester Republican was the primary sponsor of Senate Bill 150, the COVID relief bill that helped cities during the public health crisis by allowing them to conduct open meetings virtually, delay tax filings and allow more leeway for code enforcement and planning and zoning rules.

KLC Executive Director J.D. Chaney said the nonpartisan organization looks at legislators’ work in the General Assembly that “specifically demonstrates a willingness to assist city government, embracing that concept of local control.”

Alvarado, he said, “is always accessible, is always willing to assist us” and  provided invaluable service in this year’s legislative session to assist city governments in representing constituents during the pandemic.

“I can’t tell you of anybody else who’s more willing to work on behalf of cities … and Sen. Alvarado has done a tremendous job for us, and we appreciate that on behalf of all the cities in Kentucky, and especially Winchester,” he said.

Mayor Ed Burtner, who serves on the KLC Board of Directors, said “we are very proud of our own senator” when he introduced Alvarado, Chaney, Director of Governmental Affairs Bryanna Carroll and other guests at the start of a special called meeting Monday morning.

City Commissioners Jo Ellen Reed, Ramsey Flynn, Kitty Strode and Shannon Cox joined Burtner, Chaney and Carroll in presenting Alvarado the 2020 Friend of Kentucky Cities award.

“It is my honor to represent my hometown, Winchester, and Clark County,” Alvarado said as he accepted the plaque.

Other cities Alvarado represents in his district are Mount Sterling, Camargo, Jeffersonville and a part of Lexington.