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!
Friday, February 17, 2012
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?
Sunday, November 28, 2010
WILL POLITICS AND BAD HABITS EVER CHANGE IN OLDHAM COUNTY
Does every elected County Judge-Executive believe that he has to help an old friend, relative, supporter, or someone who needs to enhance their state retirement benefits? First, Duane Murner hired Bill Tucker shortly after being elected County Judge-Executive and Tucker remains on the county payroll to this day. Tucker has been on social security for years and should have opted to allow a younger person who was in need of a job to be employed. However, he received a substantial increase in pay from his previous magisterial salary, after he was removed from office by the voters. Thus, his retirement will be increased significantly. Likewise, Judge Murner hired former magistrate Paula Gish to be his Deputy Judge-Executive and gave her a huge increase in salary. Again, her retirement will increase significantly due to this increase in pay. What is worse is that one of her duties has been to supervise the county payroll clerk and the state auditor said in an annual report that she was not qualified to do that. The payroll clerk was recently fired by County Judge Murner but Gish remains on the job making over $70K per year.
Well, David Voegele also has decided to help an old friend and relative increase his retirement. He decided to hire his brother-in-law, John Black, to be his deputy at a salary of over $55K per year. John Black has been driving a school bus in order to enhance his retirement. It is a great promotion when you go from school bus driver to Deputy County Judge. I once heard Voegele remark that it would be a great promotion for a person to go from janitor to county treasurer. He also remarked that it would make a great title for a story. I guess that he forgot that, or believes that it does not apply to him. I’m sorry David, but you can’t have it both ways.
David Voegele promised change throughout his campaign this past spring. As a matter of fact, he told me that he would make a lot of changes if the people would just give him a chance. He knows, or at least he should know, that many people voted for him because they felt that he was the lesser of two evils. Voegele has gotten his chance but so far I have not seen the change. Hiring his brother-in-law is not a change in practice from the past administration. To make matters worse, John Black is a staunch democrat who has been defeated in his last two attempts to achieve elective office. He was just recently soundly defeated by Ernie Harris in a bid for the Kentucky State Senate. Black ran on a democratic agenda which supported expanded gambling in Kentucky. Did that not tell David Voegele that the people of Oldham County have rejected John Black?
While we are on the issue of change, there are two more items that need to be addressed. Voegele railed against the huge debt that the county has amassed and the huge increase in the insurance premium tax rate. The first two items of business Voegele should have on his agenda are the reduction of the insurance premium tax by fifty percent and the retirement of some of the county debt. The county has a huge surplus at the present time (over $8 million) and can afford to accomplish both of these feats. If Voegele does not do this quickly, the county should not expect him to do anything that he promised. As a matter of fact, the people had better be on the defensive.
Since the primary election, Voegele has went against several of his campaign messages and disappointed many in the public. He voted to once again increase sewer rates by 25% and to add additional debt to the Fiscal Court budget through accepting debt taken on by the sewer district to finance their ongoing abysmal operations. The court voted to approve the measure by one vote, meaning Voegele’s vote in the opposite direction would have prevented the increase from becoming a reality.
Voegele also needs to make some personnel changes in his administration as soon as he takes office. He was also opposed by nearly all of the county government employees working in Judge-Executive Duane Murner’s office in addition to most of the department heads in county government. In fact, many of them worked extensively to support the candidacy of Paula Gish in the primary election. This includes employees making financial contributions to Gish, displaying yard signs, wearing campaign clothing at events, and openly supporting Gish whenever possible. He still has time to make those changes before he takes office, however it is questionable whether he has the stomach to make the tough decisions needed in this area.
I still believe that Voegele was the better choice for County Judge but my belief is fading fast.
Well, David Voegele also has decided to help an old friend and relative increase his retirement. He decided to hire his brother-in-law, John Black, to be his deputy at a salary of over $55K per year. John Black has been driving a school bus in order to enhance his retirement. It is a great promotion when you go from school bus driver to Deputy County Judge. I once heard Voegele remark that it would be a great promotion for a person to go from janitor to county treasurer. He also remarked that it would make a great title for a story. I guess that he forgot that, or believes that it does not apply to him. I’m sorry David, but you can’t have it both ways.
David Voegele promised change throughout his campaign this past spring. As a matter of fact, he told me that he would make a lot of changes if the people would just give him a chance. He knows, or at least he should know, that many people voted for him because they felt that he was the lesser of two evils. Voegele has gotten his chance but so far I have not seen the change. Hiring his brother-in-law is not a change in practice from the past administration. To make matters worse, John Black is a staunch democrat who has been defeated in his last two attempts to achieve elective office. He was just recently soundly defeated by Ernie Harris in a bid for the Kentucky State Senate. Black ran on a democratic agenda which supported expanded gambling in Kentucky. Did that not tell David Voegele that the people of Oldham County have rejected John Black?
While we are on the issue of change, there are two more items that need to be addressed. Voegele railed against the huge debt that the county has amassed and the huge increase in the insurance premium tax rate. The first two items of business Voegele should have on his agenda are the reduction of the insurance premium tax by fifty percent and the retirement of some of the county debt. The county has a huge surplus at the present time (over $8 million) and can afford to accomplish both of these feats. If Voegele does not do this quickly, the county should not expect him to do anything that he promised. As a matter of fact, the people had better be on the defensive.
Since the primary election, Voegele has went against several of his campaign messages and disappointed many in the public. He voted to once again increase sewer rates by 25% and to add additional debt to the Fiscal Court budget through accepting debt taken on by the sewer district to finance their ongoing abysmal operations. The court voted to approve the measure by one vote, meaning Voegele’s vote in the opposite direction would have prevented the increase from becoming a reality.
Voegele also needs to make some personnel changes in his administration as soon as he takes office. He was also opposed by nearly all of the county government employees working in Judge-Executive Duane Murner’s office in addition to most of the department heads in county government. In fact, many of them worked extensively to support the candidacy of Paula Gish in the primary election. This includes employees making financial contributions to Gish, displaying yard signs, wearing campaign clothing at events, and openly supporting Gish whenever possible. He still has time to make those changes before he takes office, however it is questionable whether he has the stomach to make the tough decisions needed in this area.
I still believe that Voegele was the better choice for County Judge but my belief is fading fast.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
HOW A LAME DUCK FISCAL COURT CONFRONTS ISSUES
The November 16, 2010 meeting of the Oldham County fiscal court proved to be interesting. The court had several people in attendance from the Briar Hill and Spring Hill subdivisions.
Recently the Oldham Circuit Court ruled that there was not a valid approved subdivision plan for the Brentwood subdivision. This was the result of a lawsuit filed by residents of the Briar Hill and Spring Hill subdivisions. However, in spite of the decision of the Circuit Court there has been a road approved by the Oldham County Panning and Development Commission. According to residents who appeared at the fiscal court meeting, work on the subdivision continues even though there is no approved subdivision plan. Residents voiced concern for the safety of residents, especially children, due to excessive speed of drivers who use the new road as a means of bypassing Crestwood.
The residents had previously asked the court to close the road and have all work on the subdivision stopped. Judge Murner said that fiscal court has no jurisdiction in the matter since the court was not a defendant in the lawsuit. I doubt that this issue will go away.
In an unrelated matter Magistrate Bob Deibel made a motion that the court approve a new fifteen year contract with Insight cable company. Insight provides cable service for the majority of the citizens of Oldham County. However, Magistrate David Voegele, the Judge-Elect made a motion to table the issue. Voegele stated that he would like to consult with legal counsel in order that the county might gain further concessions from the cable company. Magistrate Scott Davis seconded the motion and the motion passed by a 7-2 vote. Magistrate Deibel and Judge Murner voted against Voegele’s motion. The current contract with Insight does not expire until August of 2011. Therefore, there should be no danger of the county being without cable service. What struck me as being odd about the vote was that the majority of the magistrates voted opposite of Judge Murner. I do not believe that would have happened a year ago. Perhaps Judge Murner has lost the rigid control that he appeared to have over the court until now. It is possible that some of the magistrates who were defeated now realize that their blind loyalty to Judge Murner contributed to their demise as magistrates.
Finally, Magistrate Steve Church stated that the finance committee had met to discuss the matter of retiring part of the county debt-specifically the part that relates to the community center. He stated that the finance committee decided to not recommend that the debt be retired but rather to allow the incoming court to make that decision. It is believed that Magistrate Rick Rash was the driving force behind retiring part of the county debt. Had the debt been retired it would have amounted to a savings of approximately one thousand dollars per week in interest payments. Magistrates David Voegele, Steve Greenwell and Steve Church make up the finance committee.
Recently the Oldham Circuit Court ruled that there was not a valid approved subdivision plan for the Brentwood subdivision. This was the result of a lawsuit filed by residents of the Briar Hill and Spring Hill subdivisions. However, in spite of the decision of the Circuit Court there has been a road approved by the Oldham County Panning and Development Commission. According to residents who appeared at the fiscal court meeting, work on the subdivision continues even though there is no approved subdivision plan. Residents voiced concern for the safety of residents, especially children, due to excessive speed of drivers who use the new road as a means of bypassing Crestwood.
The residents had previously asked the court to close the road and have all work on the subdivision stopped. Judge Murner said that fiscal court has no jurisdiction in the matter since the court was not a defendant in the lawsuit. I doubt that this issue will go away.
In an unrelated matter Magistrate Bob Deibel made a motion that the court approve a new fifteen year contract with Insight cable company. Insight provides cable service for the majority of the citizens of Oldham County. However, Magistrate David Voegele, the Judge-Elect made a motion to table the issue. Voegele stated that he would like to consult with legal counsel in order that the county might gain further concessions from the cable company. Magistrate Scott Davis seconded the motion and the motion passed by a 7-2 vote. Magistrate Deibel and Judge Murner voted against Voegele’s motion. The current contract with Insight does not expire until August of 2011. Therefore, there should be no danger of the county being without cable service. What struck me as being odd about the vote was that the majority of the magistrates voted opposite of Judge Murner. I do not believe that would have happened a year ago. Perhaps Judge Murner has lost the rigid control that he appeared to have over the court until now. It is possible that some of the magistrates who were defeated now realize that their blind loyalty to Judge Murner contributed to their demise as magistrates.
Finally, Magistrate Steve Church stated that the finance committee had met to discuss the matter of retiring part of the county debt-specifically the part that relates to the community center. He stated that the finance committee decided to not recommend that the debt be retired but rather to allow the incoming court to make that decision. It is believed that Magistrate Rick Rash was the driving force behind retiring part of the county debt. Had the debt been retired it would have amounted to a savings of approximately one thousand dollars per week in interest payments. Magistrates David Voegele, Steve Greenwell and Steve Church make up the finance committee.
Monday, November 15, 2010
OLDHAM COUNTY JUDGE ELECT DAVID VOEGELE ANNOUNCES TWO APPOINTMENTS
Oldham County Judge-Executive Elect David Voegele has released the names of two individuals he intends to recommend to Fiscal Court as part of the new administration in January.
Greg Smith, former Chief of the Louisville Division of Police, will be recommended to Oldham Fiscal Court as the replacement for former Chief Michael Griffin, who retired at the end of August. Voegele said he would like Smith’s title to be Director of Public Safety, rather than chief of police.
“The position will manage all police work but also additional responsibilities I would like to come under the supervision of the director of public safety,” Voegele indicated.
“Greg Smith is an outstanding police administrator, recognized widely in the law enforcement community as a consummate professional. I could not find anyone who did not have the highest respect for him,” Voegele said.
Judge-Executive Elect David Voegele said he interviewed 12 candidates to lead the Oldham County Police Department. “I felt each of the candidates was an excellent police officer, but Greg Smith brought more to the table in terms of being able to move Oldham County forward on a variety of issues.”
Chief Smith was a member of the Louisville Division of Police from 1974 through January 2003, when he joined the staff of Senator Jim Bunning. He will end his work for Senator Bunning when Bunning retires at the end of the year.
Chief Smith began his career path as a patrol officer in the First and Sixth Districts. Promotions through the years included detective, sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief, deputy chief and chief. He has supervised all aspects of police services, including training, community development, narcotics, sex crimes, homicide and robbery units.
Smith is a graduate of Bellarmine University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Louisville. He also teaches law enforcement at Bellarmine. He will take over January first from Acting Chief Billy Way, who has accepted a position in business and will retire at the end of December.
Another appointment planned for the new administration includes a former director of Oldham County Planning and Zoning. Jim Urban, who was part of the administration of former Judge-Executive, John Black, will be recommended as the new director of Planning and Development, replacing Louise Allen who retired earlier this fall. Urban left Oldham County government in 2003.
“Jim’s prior experience in Oldham County, along with his knowledge of the development in the county, his management skills and abilities in economic development and land use planning, will bring a superior level of performance and service in planning and development,” Voegele said. “Our quality of life is not for sale, and I will be holding Planning and Development to the highest standard in maintaining that pledge to our community.”
Since leaving Oldham County in 2003, Mr. Urban worked in the private sector and was director of planning for the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and has a Master’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts in Land Use Planning and Landscape Design.
Greg Smith, former Chief of the Louisville Division of Police, will be recommended to Oldham Fiscal Court as the replacement for former Chief Michael Griffin, who retired at the end of August. Voegele said he would like Smith’s title to be Director of Public Safety, rather than chief of police.
“The position will manage all police work but also additional responsibilities I would like to come under the supervision of the director of public safety,” Voegele indicated.
“Greg Smith is an outstanding police administrator, recognized widely in the law enforcement community as a consummate professional. I could not find anyone who did not have the highest respect for him,” Voegele said.
Judge-Executive Elect David Voegele said he interviewed 12 candidates to lead the Oldham County Police Department. “I felt each of the candidates was an excellent police officer, but Greg Smith brought more to the table in terms of being able to move Oldham County forward on a variety of issues.”
Chief Smith was a member of the Louisville Division of Police from 1974 through January 2003, when he joined the staff of Senator Jim Bunning. He will end his work for Senator Bunning when Bunning retires at the end of the year.
Chief Smith began his career path as a patrol officer in the First and Sixth Districts. Promotions through the years included detective, sergeant, lieutenant, assistant chief, deputy chief and chief. He has supervised all aspects of police services, including training, community development, narcotics, sex crimes, homicide and robbery units.
Smith is a graduate of Bellarmine University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Community Development from the University of Louisville. He also teaches law enforcement at Bellarmine. He will take over January first from Acting Chief Billy Way, who has accepted a position in business and will retire at the end of December.
Another appointment planned for the new administration includes a former director of Oldham County Planning and Zoning. Jim Urban, who was part of the administration of former Judge-Executive, John Black, will be recommended as the new director of Planning and Development, replacing Louise Allen who retired earlier this fall. Urban left Oldham County government in 2003.
“Jim’s prior experience in Oldham County, along with his knowledge of the development in the county, his management skills and abilities in economic development and land use planning, will bring a superior level of performance and service in planning and development,” Voegele said. “Our quality of life is not for sale, and I will be holding Planning and Development to the highest standard in maintaining that pledge to our community.”
Since leaving Oldham County in 2003, Mr. Urban worked in the private sector and was director of planning for the City of Jeffersonville, Indiana. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and has a Master’s Degree from the University of Massachusetts in Land Use Planning and Landscape Design.
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