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The Winchester City Commission met on Tuesday, March 19, for a pair of meetings at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. 

Among several agenda items, special recognition was given to several individuals while attention was also provided toward items geared to help the community. 

At a special 4:30 p.m. meeting, along with the Winchester Police Department providing a dispatch update and once more recognizing Abe – the four-year old Goldendoodle assigned to the Winchester Police Department and active as the Winchester/Clark County Public Schools Therapy Dog – dispatcher Sarah Miller was recognized. 

As previously covered, Miller – in early March – fielded a call from Allison and Alan Keefer stating that they were on their way to Clark Regional Medical Center with Allison Keefer in labor. 

However, with the couple realizing that they wouldn’t make it to the hospital, they pulled over to the side of the Mountain Parkway. 

There, Miller helped guide the Keefer’s over the phone, ensuring the safe birth of their child. 

Winchester Mayor JoEllen Reed read from a proclamation. 

“For remaining calm and articulate under extremely stressful circumstances and going above and beyond the call of duty to help in a successful, earlier-than-anticipated delivery of baby Cillian Keefer into the world under less-than-ideal circumstances, this [In Honor of Your Faithful Service] award is presented to Sarah Miller.” 

Miller graciously accepted, surrounded by other members of WPD. 

Additionally, the late Leonard “Leo” Shortridge was recognized by the ity, who presented a plaque honoring him. 

Along with a career working at IBM for over 40 years and service in the U.S. Army Reserves, Shortridge – who passed away at age 73 in September 2023 – was an active member of the Winchester community. 

Among other roles, he served on the city’s Board of Adjustments. 

He also made an impact by helping to create the Winchester Youth Soccer League and serving as a past president, and was married to his wife, Marsha, for over 50 years. 

“We wanted to do something to honor the memory of our good friend Leonard ‘Leo’ Shortridge,” said Mayor Reed, surrounded by members of Shortridge’s family. “Leonard was loved by this community. He loved our youth. He loved soccer. He loved helping in any way he [could] and…he raised a beautiful family.” 

Certainly not least,  the language of the objectives for two sections of the 2023 Comprehensive Plan – while remaining largely the same – were adapted somewhat. 

Previously, Section 2.F set the following as an objective: ‘Protect and preserve farmland, natural areas, and scenic viewsheds in Clark County from over development and uses, such as solar fields, rock quarries, and solid waste facilities, that degrade the land and negatively impact the unique character and identity of Winchester and Clark County.” 

By a vote of 4-1, with Magistrate Shannon Cox dissenting, the term “solid waste facilities” was changed to “landfills.” 

Also, Section 7.D stated: “Evaluate the benefits and feasibility of merging city-county government, ways to increase transparency in government spending and budgeting, and opportunities to increase public participation.” 

The city unanimously agreed to change the term from “government” to “services” in the first portion.