By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The Grayson Chamber of Commerce welcomed Adam Rice, the field representative for Congressman Hal Roger’s office, at the October chamber meeting. Rice spoke to chamber members about what the congressman’s office had planned for the near future. One of the things Rice said was upcoming was the App Challenge.
“The App Challenge is for high school students,” Rice explained. “It takes place every year, and we are going to be sending out some promotional materials in the near future. This is a challenge across the country for students to submit an app they have developed in coding.”
The competition, he explained, can be worked on in teams, but the teams are limited to four or five students working together.
“That is a pretty good opportunity for students,” Rice said. “But something else to keep on your radar in May is the Congressional Art Competition for high school students.”
Students can submit their artwork in each Congressional District, then a winner is chosen from each district. The winners get two free plane tickets to Washington D.C. for an awards ceremony, then the artwork is displayed in the nation’s capital for one year.
“They do get their artwork back at the end of that year,” Rice explained. “But it is an opportunity to have their work displayed in the capital for everyone that comes through the capitol to see.”
Rice also told the chamber that he had spent two weeks in the area and had met with Kentucky Christian University President Terry Allcorn.
“I got to hear about the economic impact KCU has had on the area,” Rice said.
Rice also said that he was glad to hear about the programs KCU has, and that there was a phenomenal opportunity for growth.
“I also met with the new Carter County Schools Superintendent Dr. Fraley,” Rice said. “I have known her for many years through her previous time in a different position.”
Rice said he was confident Dr. Fraley would serve the county well in her new position.
Continuing to inform the chamber about the congressman’s involvement in the area, Rice said that he and the district director, Carlos Cameron, had recently toured the Smithfield location in Grayson. Rice said they also met with Grayson Mayor Troy Combs, and discussed local issues.
“We are trying to make the rounds as best we can,” Rice told the chamber. “We want to know the needs and the issues that you are facing. We do have offices in Ashland on Sixteenth Street,” he informed them, giving them a potential touchpoint to his office. “We have a case worker there who is working on different issues, so if you have anything like paperwork that needs to be dropped off you can do it there. Or you can call me, and we can schedule a time where I can come meet you if you are having issues.”
“At the same time,” Rice said, “If you are ever down that way you can mail it there, and then she can distribute it to whoever she needs to base on the casework. I work out of the Prestonsburg office mainly, but I also stop in and work out of the Ashland Office. I cover 13 counties for the Congressman for the federal government. So, if you have any issues, feel free to reach out to us and let us know what that issue is. We might not always be able to get you the answer you might want, but we will get you an answer.”
Some of the areas where his office can assist, Rice said, were with things like dealing with the Internal Revenue Service, disability concerns, the Small Business Administration, and tours of D.C. Rice said his office can also assist with passport issues and veterans issues. The congressman has also added a government shutdown guide on their website that has the answers to common questions.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
