The fall of 2013 has arrived and politics is in the air. The Republican Party held a rally at exit 28 on Interstate 71 on Friday night. Among the politicians there were Rand Paul, Mitch McConnell, and Thomas Massie, all of whom represent the people of Oldham County at the Federal level. There were also many local politicians in attendance.
Back home on the local level not many decisions about who is running for office have been publicly announced at this time. It appears that there will be competition for the offices of sheriff, PVA, and mayor of LaGrange. There will surely be competition for other offices. I was informed by Sheriff Steve Sparrow at the rally that he will be a candidate for sheriff in 2014. That is the only person who has informed me that he is definitely seeking reelection.
The big question is, what will be the issues? It usually is not sufficient for a candidate to simply run for an office and say he/she is better than the incumbent. If the incumbent has done nothing wrong and has generally been on the right side of the issues he/she will usually be reelected. What the issue are will be is usually decided by the public. The two biggest issues out there at the present time both relate to LaGrange. Those are the recent institution of a compensation tax and the Oldham Reserve. Another issue that is likely to be born of those two issues is the spending habits of LaGrange.
At the county level the decision to construct a new jail and the continuation of an insurance premium tax, that is larger than necessary, could become election issues.
Although the present fiscal court has had some tense moments it has been a harmonious court for the most part. Are there chinks in the armor of the court? Certainly there are. However, I do not see as many vulnerable members of the court this election as there were in the elections of 2010. On the other hand, one never knows what may become an issue between now and the primary elections which essentially decides who is going to be elected to office since Olham County has few democrats running at the county level. Of course, the city elections are nonpartisan.
Anyway, stay tuned to this site for the political news of the Oldham County. Who knows, it could be that a few "looks" may be taken at the statewide elections.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
VICE CHAIRMAN OF REPUBLICAN PARTY SUPPORTS PRIMARY CANDIDATES
Many times I have heard Anne Gernstein say as a party chair that she was required to stay out of primary election campaigns and to not support any candidate.
Many republicans around Oldham County were very upset with former Republican Party chairwoman Anne Gernstein because they believed that she did show favoritism to different candidates during the primary elections. The person who most often told me that she was not neutral was none other than former Magistrate Rick Rash who is now a candidate in the republican primary for Oldham Circuit Court Clerk.
You can imagine how surprised I was when I drove by the home of J.D. Sparks on Tuesday and found yard signs in his yard supporting Rick Rash and Alecia Webb-Edgington who is a candidate for congress. J.D. Sparks is a Magistrate and the current Vice Chairman of the Oldham County Republican Party. Why do people not learn from the mistakes of others. That is the cheapest education that you can get.
I spoke to J.D. Sparks via email about the matter and he told me that he was not supporting the candidates in his role as Vice Chairman of the Republican Party but as an individual. He said that he saw nothing wrong with his actions.
Well, I respectfully disagree with Magistrate Sparks. Or, should I say Vice Chairman Sparks. That brings up another issue, Should elected officials be officers of a political party? I certainly do not believe that they should but perhaps the party could not find anyone else willing to serve as party officials. Back to the situation at hand, Magistrate Sparks just does not get it. When you take certain positions or certain employment in life you give up certain privileges. For example, in my role as Officer in Charge of the Immigration and Naturalization Service I had to refrain from speaking unfavorably about the policies of that agency even though I might disagree with them. In my opinion when J.D. Sparks took on the role of Vice Chairman of the Republican Party he gave up his right to endorse republican candidates in contested primary elections. Perhaps he does not understand that. Or, perhaps he does not want to accept it.
For Vice chairman Sparks to continue endorsing republican candidates who are engaged in contested primaries reflects disrespect for other candidates and can only bring about dissension in the party and a lack of respect for him and his position.
As for Rick Rash, I encountered him putting up another one of his signs and took the opportunity to ask him why he put one of his signs in Mr. Sparks’ yard. He stated that Sparks had asked him for one of the signs. I reminded Rash of his frequent criticism of former chairwoman Gernstein’s actions that he considered to be unfair. After a few minutes of discussion he agreed that I was correct. He called me three hours later to inform me that his sign had been removed from Mr. Sparks’ yard. As far as I know Alecia Webb-Edgington’s sign is still in the yard.
I commend Mr. Rash for correcting his mistake. As for Mr. Sparks, he is young and perhaps he will someday learn that we don’t always have freedom of speech even though the constitution may guarantee that. Yes, freedom of speech is guaranteed but sometimes something else must be sacrificed to have that freedom. In this case Mr. Sparks should either give up his position as Vice chairman of the Republican Party or he should refrain from openly supporting candidates in primary elections.
Many republicans around Oldham County were very upset with former Republican Party chairwoman Anne Gernstein because they believed that she did show favoritism to different candidates during the primary elections. The person who most often told me that she was not neutral was none other than former Magistrate Rick Rash who is now a candidate in the republican primary for Oldham Circuit Court Clerk.
You can imagine how surprised I was when I drove by the home of J.D. Sparks on Tuesday and found yard signs in his yard supporting Rick Rash and Alecia Webb-Edgington who is a candidate for congress. J.D. Sparks is a Magistrate and the current Vice Chairman of the Oldham County Republican Party. Why do people not learn from the mistakes of others. That is the cheapest education that you can get.
I spoke to J.D. Sparks via email about the matter and he told me that he was not supporting the candidates in his role as Vice Chairman of the Republican Party but as an individual. He said that he saw nothing wrong with his actions.
Well, I respectfully disagree with Magistrate Sparks. Or, should I say Vice Chairman Sparks. That brings up another issue, Should elected officials be officers of a political party? I certainly do not believe that they should but perhaps the party could not find anyone else willing to serve as party officials. Back to the situation at hand, Magistrate Sparks just does not get it. When you take certain positions or certain employment in life you give up certain privileges. For example, in my role as Officer in Charge of the Immigration and Naturalization Service I had to refrain from speaking unfavorably about the policies of that agency even though I might disagree with them. In my opinion when J.D. Sparks took on the role of Vice Chairman of the Republican Party he gave up his right to endorse republican candidates in contested primary elections. Perhaps he does not understand that. Or, perhaps he does not want to accept it.
For Vice chairman Sparks to continue endorsing republican candidates who are engaged in contested primaries reflects disrespect for other candidates and can only bring about dissension in the party and a lack of respect for him and his position.
As for Rick Rash, I encountered him putting up another one of his signs and took the opportunity to ask him why he put one of his signs in Mr. Sparks’ yard. He stated that Sparks had asked him for one of the signs. I reminded Rash of his frequent criticism of former chairwoman Gernstein’s actions that he considered to be unfair. After a few minutes of discussion he agreed that I was correct. He called me three hours later to inform me that his sign had been removed from Mr. Sparks’ yard. As far as I know Alecia Webb-Edgington’s sign is still in the yard.
I commend Mr. Rash for correcting his mistake. As for Mr. Sparks, he is young and perhaps he will someday learn that we don’t always have freedom of speech even though the constitution may guarantee that. Yes, freedom of speech is guaranteed but sometimes something else must be sacrificed to have that freedom. In this case Mr. Sparks should either give up his position as Vice chairman of the Republican Party or he should refrain from openly supporting candidates in primary elections.
SEWER RATE TO RISE AND SURCHARGE TO BE INSTITUTED
On May 1st. the Oldham County Fiscal Court passed an ordinance raising sewer rates by five percent while also instituting a surcharge of $5.39 per month per customer. The surcharge will remain in place for twenty years. This increase comes after a rate increase of eight percent last year. The purpose of the surcharge is to pay for debt service on bonds that the Environmental Authority (Oldham Sewer District) has obtained to finance replacement of package treatment plants and other work on sewer lines that the district claims is being mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Division of Water.
Over two years ago the Oldham Fiscal Court took over the responsibility for several million dollars worth of debt that the sewer district had outstanding in order to improve the credit rating of the sewer district. At the time I told the court that they were just giving the sewer district the opportunity to obtain more loans and go deeper in debt. Well, that has now happened-they have gone deeper in debt and the ratepayers will be each pay an additional $5.39 per month for the next twenty years to service that debt. Frankly, I expect that Oldham County residents have not seen the last of sewer rate increases and additional surcharges.
One magistrate asked a representative of the sewer district how long we could expect to see increases in sewer rates. I subsequently addressed the court and answered his question. Simple, as long as the court continues to vote in favor of the increases. The sewer district only asks for the increases. The court must grant the increases and is therefore responsible for the increases. It is also the responsibility of the court to devise a plan of action to address any action that the EPA and DOW might take if the county decided to challenge those agencies.
The court always blames the EPA and the Division of Water for forcing them to make changes. They often refer to these changes as unfunded mandates. Using this excuse the court says that it is left with no choice but to increase rates. I disagree. I believe that they should challenge the EPA and DOW. It may be difficult for the county to do this alone but it is time for someone in county government to take the lead and form a coalition of counties to challenge the EPA and DOW Perhaps it is easier to just pass another ordinance raising rates than to make that challenge.
To be fair, Magistrate Bob Leslie voted against the increase. All other magistrates and the county judge voted in favor of the increase and surcharge.
Over two years ago the Oldham Fiscal Court took over the responsibility for several million dollars worth of debt that the sewer district had outstanding in order to improve the credit rating of the sewer district. At the time I told the court that they were just giving the sewer district the opportunity to obtain more loans and go deeper in debt. Well, that has now happened-they have gone deeper in debt and the ratepayers will be each pay an additional $5.39 per month for the next twenty years to service that debt. Frankly, I expect that Oldham County residents have not seen the last of sewer rate increases and additional surcharges.
One magistrate asked a representative of the sewer district how long we could expect to see increases in sewer rates. I subsequently addressed the court and answered his question. Simple, as long as the court continues to vote in favor of the increases. The sewer district only asks for the increases. The court must grant the increases and is therefore responsible for the increases. It is also the responsibility of the court to devise a plan of action to address any action that the EPA and DOW might take if the county decided to challenge those agencies.
The court always blames the EPA and the Division of Water for forcing them to make changes. They often refer to these changes as unfunded mandates. Using this excuse the court says that it is left with no choice but to increase rates. I disagree. I believe that they should challenge the EPA and DOW. It may be difficult for the county to do this alone but it is time for someone in county government to take the lead and form a coalition of counties to challenge the EPA and DOW Perhaps it is easier to just pass another ordinance raising rates than to make that challenge.
To be fair, Magistrate Bob Leslie voted against the increase. All other magistrates and the county judge voted in favor of the increase and surcharge.
Friday, February 17, 2012
NO NEW JAIL NEEDED
Well, it has been a long time since I have posted anything on this site. I was hoping that this site would no longer be needed to the extent that it was when I launched it. However, I was wrong. Judge Voegele and the Fiscal Court are not using common sense in operating our county government.
First, Judge Voegele promised to reduce the Insurance Premium tax and he promised to not to build a new jail. To date there has been no initiative on the part of Judge Voegele to reduce the tax and now Fiscal court appears to be seriously considering the construction of a new jail. Judge Voegele has not openly opposed the idea. The issue of the Insurance Premium Tax is very simple – Judge Voegele failed to keep a campaign promise.
Actually the issue of a new jail is just about as simple. It is a stupid idea with no merit. According to Jailer Mike Simpson the average population of the jail by inmates from Oldham County is 40 per day. The simple solution is to close our jail and house the inmates in another county. This action would save a lot of money in the form of salaries, building maintenance, and money that would be necessary to construct a new facility. That might lead to Mike Simpson losing his job. However, he has been receiving a pension in addition to his regular salary for years which should have allowed him to be in better financial condition than the average Oldham County employee. There would be other employees involved. There would be a need for additional Sheriff’s deputies to transport prisoners. Perhaps those current jail employees who are qualified could be hired as deputies to perform that work.
The present jail is large enough to house Oldham County prisoners and that is all that the county should consider. To attempt to get into the business of housing prisoners for profit is absolutely absurd. The county tried to get into the real estate business when it bought the property for Oldham reserve and that was a big mistake. To get into the business of housing prisoners would also be a mistake. The purpose of the government is to provide necessary services for the people – not to be a profit making business.
The three magistrates on the jail committee should reconsider what they are doing. Magistrates Bob Dye and JD Sparks claimed to be for smaller government and both beat opponents who had raised taxes in the county. Now they want to spend 19 million dollars to build a new jail that is not necessary. Where do they have their heads? Magistrate Steve Greenwell is running for Circuit Court Clerk. Does he expect people to elect him to that office when he wants to grow government?
The problem is that the county government has more money coming in than it needs and it has to find a place to spend it rather than give it back to the people. It is time for the people to demand the return of their money or to begin looking for new candidates. It is that simple.
The “watchdog” is back!
First, Judge Voegele promised to reduce the Insurance Premium tax and he promised to not to build a new jail. To date there has been no initiative on the part of Judge Voegele to reduce the tax and now Fiscal court appears to be seriously considering the construction of a new jail. Judge Voegele has not openly opposed the idea. The issue of the Insurance Premium Tax is very simple – Judge Voegele failed to keep a campaign promise.
Actually the issue of a new jail is just about as simple. It is a stupid idea with no merit. According to Jailer Mike Simpson the average population of the jail by inmates from Oldham County is 40 per day. The simple solution is to close our jail and house the inmates in another county. This action would save a lot of money in the form of salaries, building maintenance, and money that would be necessary to construct a new facility. That might lead to Mike Simpson losing his job. However, he has been receiving a pension in addition to his regular salary for years which should have allowed him to be in better financial condition than the average Oldham County employee. There would be other employees involved. There would be a need for additional Sheriff’s deputies to transport prisoners. Perhaps those current jail employees who are qualified could be hired as deputies to perform that work.
The present jail is large enough to house Oldham County prisoners and that is all that the county should consider. To attempt to get into the business of housing prisoners for profit is absolutely absurd. The county tried to get into the real estate business when it bought the property for Oldham reserve and that was a big mistake. To get into the business of housing prisoners would also be a mistake. The purpose of the government is to provide necessary services for the people – not to be a profit making business.
The three magistrates on the jail committee should reconsider what they are doing. Magistrates Bob Dye and JD Sparks claimed to be for smaller government and both beat opponents who had raised taxes in the county. Now they want to spend 19 million dollars to build a new jail that is not necessary. Where do they have their heads? Magistrate Steve Greenwell is running for Circuit Court Clerk. Does he expect people to elect him to that office when he wants to grow government?
The problem is that the county government has more money coming in than it needs and it has to find a place to spend it rather than give it back to the people. It is time for the people to demand the return of their money or to begin looking for new candidates. It is that simple.
The “watchdog” is back!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
WILL OLDHAM COUNTY HAVE ANOTHER FISCAL COURT THAT DISRESPECTS THE LAW
The Murner-led Fiscal Court is over for all intent and practical purposes. The court held its last meeting on December 21, 2010. Each Magistrate took the opportunity to express his/her gratitude for having been elected by their constituents. There was an unusual appearance of harmony among the Magistrates - probably more than since their first meeting four years ago.
Personally, I am very glad to see the end of the Murner-lead Fiscal Court. Judge Murner demonstrated a total disregard for the law - especially where open government was concerned. Many people were glad to see him reined in by a court of law over his illegal acts of secrecy. Murner has constantly bragged about achieving a balanced budget and ending his term with a major surplus. I never heard him say that he balanced that budget by raising taxes, which he significantly increased on Oldham County families. He always claimed that the balanced budget was due to cuts in personnel and other cuts in the budget; an example of misleading the public that was the trademark of the Murner administration. However, in the end the escalation of taxes and fees proved to be fatal to Murner’s hope of having his hand-picked successor be elected as County Judge/Executive. Still further, the escalation of taxes and fees also served to cause several Magistrates to fail in their endeavor to be re-elected. Some of them may not realize this or want to accept it, but any non-biased person can easily see it. That is what blind loyalty can do for you.
Now the obvious question is: will the incoming Magistrates be as blind as some of those whom they are replacing? They will get their first test at the first meeting on January 3, 2011. At that first meeting, the new County Judge/Executive, David Voegele, will present to the court/new Magistrates the names of several people that he will be hiring for their approval.
Of the names of the people Judge Voegele will present will be John Black, his brother-in-law. Judge Voegele has selected Black to be his deputy. The fact is that Voegele does not need the approval of the Fiscal Court for the position of Deputy County Judge/Executive. However, Voegele has stated that he would present Black to the court along with the names of his other new-hires. By doing this Voegele will be asking the Magistrates to violate the county administrative code - or at least condone his questionable selection. That is simply being insensitive to the members of the court. Seems like another County Judge we’ve seen over the past four years doesn’t it?
The present Oldham County code of ethics is part of the county administrative code. Section 4.3 (Nepotism) of the code states: “Members of any County government officer’s or employee’s immediate family are ineligible for employment by the Fiscal Court.”
The selection of John Black by David Voegele is clearly nepotism and should not be tolerated. Moreover, by Voegele asking the court to approve or condone the selection of Black he is showing disrespect for them and asking them to do something that that they may be criticized for doing by their constituents. He is also taking advantage of the fact that some of the members are new to the court and may not feel comfortable opposing him in the very first meeting. Although this may be a good tactical move by Voegele, it is unethical. The people of Oldham County will get a very good sense of the direction that this court will follow for the next four years. David Voegele can be assured that the people will not forget what he is doing.
Judge Voegele may say that he is selecting Black because he is very qualified by virtue of the fact that he was the County Judge before. That argument has several holes in it. First, the people of Oldham County no longer wanted Democrat John Black as County Judge as he was defeated in his bid for a third term by Mary Ellen Kinser. Second, surely Voegele had someone else in mind to be his deputy should John Black have been elected to the Kentucky State Senate seat that he sought, though he was soundly defeated by Republican Ernie Harris. Then there is the fact that the “end does not justify the means”, especially when the “means” result in a violation of the law; a law that John Black instituted when he was the County Judge. How ironic is that now? When John Black sought the change in the administrative code did he believe that the change should only be applicable to others and not him? In other words, do as I say, not as I do.
David Voegele still has time to correct his mistake but does he have the desire to do what is right or will it be full speed ahead, the law be dammed?
Personally, I am very glad to see the end of the Murner-lead Fiscal Court. Judge Murner demonstrated a total disregard for the law - especially where open government was concerned. Many people were glad to see him reined in by a court of law over his illegal acts of secrecy. Murner has constantly bragged about achieving a balanced budget and ending his term with a major surplus. I never heard him say that he balanced that budget by raising taxes, which he significantly increased on Oldham County families. He always claimed that the balanced budget was due to cuts in personnel and other cuts in the budget; an example of misleading the public that was the trademark of the Murner administration. However, in the end the escalation of taxes and fees proved to be fatal to Murner’s hope of having his hand-picked successor be elected as County Judge/Executive. Still further, the escalation of taxes and fees also served to cause several Magistrates to fail in their endeavor to be re-elected. Some of them may not realize this or want to accept it, but any non-biased person can easily see it. That is what blind loyalty can do for you.
Now the obvious question is: will the incoming Magistrates be as blind as some of those whom they are replacing? They will get their first test at the first meeting on January 3, 2011. At that first meeting, the new County Judge/Executive, David Voegele, will present to the court/new Magistrates the names of several people that he will be hiring for their approval.
Of the names of the people Judge Voegele will present will be John Black, his brother-in-law. Judge Voegele has selected Black to be his deputy. The fact is that Voegele does not need the approval of the Fiscal Court for the position of Deputy County Judge/Executive. However, Voegele has stated that he would present Black to the court along with the names of his other new-hires. By doing this Voegele will be asking the Magistrates to violate the county administrative code - or at least condone his questionable selection. That is simply being insensitive to the members of the court. Seems like another County Judge we’ve seen over the past four years doesn’t it?
The present Oldham County code of ethics is part of the county administrative code. Section 4.3 (Nepotism) of the code states: “Members of any County government officer’s or employee’s immediate family are ineligible for employment by the Fiscal Court.”
The selection of John Black by David Voegele is clearly nepotism and should not be tolerated. Moreover, by Voegele asking the court to approve or condone the selection of Black he is showing disrespect for them and asking them to do something that that they may be criticized for doing by their constituents. He is also taking advantage of the fact that some of the members are new to the court and may not feel comfortable opposing him in the very first meeting. Although this may be a good tactical move by Voegele, it is unethical. The people of Oldham County will get a very good sense of the direction that this court will follow for the next four years. David Voegele can be assured that the people will not forget what he is doing.
Judge Voegele may say that he is selecting Black because he is very qualified by virtue of the fact that he was the County Judge before. That argument has several holes in it. First, the people of Oldham County no longer wanted Democrat John Black as County Judge as he was defeated in his bid for a third term by Mary Ellen Kinser. Second, surely Voegele had someone else in mind to be his deputy should John Black have been elected to the Kentucky State Senate seat that he sought, though he was soundly defeated by Republican Ernie Harris. Then there is the fact that the “end does not justify the means”, especially when the “means” result in a violation of the law; a law that John Black instituted when he was the County Judge. How ironic is that now? When John Black sought the change in the administrative code did he believe that the change should only be applicable to others and not him? In other words, do as I say, not as I do.
David Voegele still has time to correct his mistake but does he have the desire to do what is right or will it be full speed ahead, the law be dammed?
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