2018 Election Guide

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Messenger-Inquirer’s

Owensboro/Daviess County Election Guide 2018

In conjunction with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s GO Vote campaign

INSIDE

City Commission .................. 2 Daviess County Clerk.......... 5 14th District House .............. 8 Election Information ............ 3 Other Daviess County races. 5 Whitesville Mayor ............... 8 8th District Senate ............... 4 Owensboro, Daviess County 2nd Congressional District ....9 school boards .................. 6 13th District House .............. 4 7th District House ................ 9 6th District Judge ................ 7 Daviess County Jailer.......... 5 East County Commissioner... 10 Photo by Greg Eans, Messenger-Inquirer.com | geans@messenger-inquirer.com

2 Election Guide MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Owensboro City Commission

Record field is on commission ticket

LARRY CONDER Date of birth: Sept.

3, 1960 Address: 201 St. Ann St., Apt. 4A Education: Bachelor’s degree from Brescia College, 1983; Attended graduate studies at Murray State University Occupation: Executive director of operations for the Public Energy Authority of Kentucky and president of Riverwalk Properties LLC Previous elected offices held: Owensboro city commissioner, 2016-present Family: Wife Rosemary Conder; children Brad Conder, Travis Ratliff, Adrianne Condray, Chantay Taylor, Troy Ratliff and Eric Conder

LARRY MAGLINGER Date of birth: Dec. 13, 1949 Address: 3940 Pine Lake Court Education: Daviess County High School graduate, 1967; attended Owensboro-Daviess County Vocational School and Sam’s Technical School of Electronics Occupation: Owner of Custom Audio-Video in Owensboro Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Tammy Maglinger; children Curtis Maglinger and Brad Maglinger

MARK MCCOY Date of birth: Nov. 13, 1964 Address: 2315 Agile Court Education: Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, 1995; attended Warrant Officer School at Fort Rucker in Alabama Occupation: Senior clinical research associate for Syneos Health Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Glenn Ashby; children Mallory, Megan, Samantha and Hunter

CHARLIE SHELTON Date of birth: Dec. 29, 1981 Address: 2937 Royal Drive Education: Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Louisville, 2004, and the University of Southern Indiana, 2008 Occupation: Certified public accountant Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Becky; son Owen

ANDY GAMBLIN

MAEGAN HAGAN

Date of birth: May 17, 1962 Address: 2920 Yale Place Education: Union County High School graduate, 1982 Occupation: Bus monitor for Owensboro Public Schools Previous elected offices held: None Family: None

Date of birth: May 28, 1985 Address: 2610 W. Sixth St. Education: Apollo High School graduate 2004; attended Kentucky Wesleyan College Occupation: Freelance writer Previous elected offices held: None Family: Husband Trenton Hagan; a legal guardian to Aristotle, 2

ADAM MARSHALL Date of birth: July 23, 1985 Address: 430 Hathaway St. Education: Associate’s degree from Owensboro Community & Technical College; bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University Occupation: Store manager at River City Pawn Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Marianna; children Elizabeth, Isaac and Anna

JOSEPH MARTIN Date of birth: Dec. 29, 1955 Address: 1001 W. Parrish Ave. Education: Owensboro High School Occupation: Janitor Previous elected offices held: None Family: Children Jackie and Marjoe

RICK SEARCY JEFF SANFORD Date of birth: Nov. 11, 1967 Address: 1914 Lexington Ave. Education: Bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, 1991 Occupation: Real estate agent at Hartz Real Estate LLC Previous elected offices held: Owensboro city commissioner, 201016 Family: Wife Dr. Misty Brey Sanford; children, Dylan and Payton Sanford

Date of birth: Dec. 5, 1979 Address: 516 E. Seventh St. Education: Bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College, 2004 Occupation: Vice president of community living options at Wendell Foster Previous elected offices held: None Family: Son Geordyn

JAY VELOTTA

PAM SMITH-WRIGHT Date of birth: June 1, 1949 Address: 3520 Christie Place Education: Owensboro High School; Rosebud Beauty Academy in St. Louis; Owensboro Community & Technical College Occupation: Cosmetologist and caterer Previous elected offices held: Owensboro city commissioner, 2010-present Family: Husband Eugene L. Wright; children Leonard Wright and Starlene SmithWright

Date of birth: Oct. 21, 1969 Address: 103 E. 23rd St. Education: Daviess County High School, 1988; technical mechanical maintenance certification from Owensboro Community & Technical College and Todd Thornton Real Estate Academy, 2013 Occupation: Real estate broker at Gulfstream Commercial Services LLC Previous elected offices held: Owensboro city commissioner, 2016-present Family: Wife Lyn Velotta; children Fallon, Felicia and Noah

ELECTION INFO ONLINE Before you head the polls, study up on candidates and issues by visiting the Messenger-Inquirer’s website to read election coverage free of charge.

www.messengerinquirer.com

Messenger-Inquirer

BY AUSTIN RAMSEY

A

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

record 12 candidates are on the ballot for four available nonpartisan seats on the Owensboro City Commission in November.

Incumbents Larr y Conder, Pam Smith-Wright and Jay Velotta are seeking re-election, while Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Glenn’s seat remains wide open, as he is locked into a state Senate battle for the 8th District.

But political experience may come with its own set of challenges this election season. After sweeping two seats and the mayor’s gavel in 2016, the commission tackled deficit spending with an unpopular set of tax hikes last year. Property taxes divided the commission again, 3-2, earlier this fall.

The new commission faces compounding state pension obligations alongside the responsibility for shepherding more economic growth on an increasingly tightened belt. These are the candidates who say they are up to the task:

LARRY CONDER

Incumbent City Commissioner Larr y Conder says he’s not done ser ving the city because there’s still so much work left to do.

He aims to duplicate a 2016 win by emphasizing a message that rises above negativity in order to promote city interests into a new decade. By ser ving, he said he can extend an opportunity he’s had to strengthen and protect the community he both loves and cherishes.

Conder is an adviser and broker for the Public Energy Authority of Kentucky, where he said he has had the opportunity to help guide natural gas ser vices to small communities across the state.

“I see ever y day how critically important vigilant oversight of essential ser vices is to each of us,” he said.

“I have a broad knowledge of budgets and have spent the last two years intensely studying the function of the various city departments and how efficiencies in management create a powerful workforce and sustainable future.”

With another term, Conder said he will continue advocating for home rule legislation under which cities and counties in Kentucky would have more control over what and how they tax.

That’s the best way, he said, for local government to function democratically with a responsible eye on the public purse. He said he will also oppose future utility rate hikes, as “enough is enough,” and eye continued tax base growth via annexation and development along the Kentucky 54 business corridor and on West Parrish Avenue.

“If we look at who has proven to be a champion for the people and a dedicated ser vant, I believe (voters) will feel confident to re-elect me,” Conder said. “Even though city commissioner is a part-time position, ser vice to the citizens is a full-time job. I am grateful for their confidence and will honor their trust.”

man and woman, he said.

“When (voters) go to the ballot on Nov. 6, they need to consider who will be for the working people — who will be like a watchman for the city,” he said. “I will do ever ything in my power to tr y and put more money back into the pockets of the working people because I know a lot of people are struggling right now. I will be a fighter for the citizens of Owensboro.”

MAEGAN HAGAN

National politics helped inspire Maegan Hagan to run for city commissioner. She self-identifies as a democratic socialist and filed her name as part of a broader effort aimed at electing more women to public office.

But Hagan said she knows local issues and is committed to doing more for the citizens and taxpayers of Owensboro than incumbents in the race.

“I can get more done and more done efficiently for the citizens of Owensboro,” she said. “Things will continue to be the same if we keep doing things the same. I want better for the citizens of my community.”

She’s faced her fair share of campaign stumbling blocks, but she said she takes them in stride.

As part of her platform, she pledged to endorse a home-rule fight in Frankfort and then institute for Owensboro a vacant property tax, which she said would help retail and residential property owners to lease, develop or sell, in favor of small businesses or lowincome residents. In the long run, it stimulates the economy, she said.

Once the Glover H. Car y Bridge bridge is relit, she said she envisions it being powered by solar panels in which the city itself would invest, in partnership with OMU. As for the public utility, she promised to use her oversight authority as a newly elected city commissioner to put an end to regular closed-door meetings. Almost ever y City Utility Commission meeting ends in executive session, which suggests important decisions are taking place veiled from public scrutiny.

“I’m not your cookie-cutter girl, (and) I’m not your cookie-cutter candidate,” she said. “I’m not here to work for the government. I’m here to work for the citizens.”

LARRY MAGLINGER

The Owensboro community has taken good care of Larr y Maglinger and his family, he says. He’s been a local business owner for more than 40 years, and two years ago he under went a heart transplant that saved his life and galvanized a will to ser ve. Now, he said, he’s ready to give back.

It’s no insider secret that municipal government runs not unlike a business. Magliner said his business experience gives him a unique, fresh look at the issues that concern the community and provides a working knowledge of how to create a budget, understand financial statements and sur vive an ever-changing business environment.

“My parents taught me the value of working hard, being honest and how to treat people with respect,” he said.

ANDY GAMBLIN “They encouraged me to start my first Andy Gamblin is a political newcom- business at the age of 17. I have used er who said he’s running for city comthose principals to create and sustain a mission because he’s concerned about successful business for over 42 years.” the fate of his city.

Sitting on the city commission, he A bus monitor for Owensboro Public said his decisions would be made with Schools, Gamblin said he knows how three principles in mind: fiscal responto work well with others and can fuse sibility, public safety and support for different points of view into sound local businesses. He’s organized his public policy. But after watching this bid for office around them because city commission for the last two years, he said he wants to ensure continued he said he’s been disappointed by what growth and the deliver y of basic serhe described as a failure to stand up vices, including well-trained and wellagainst rising costs. Public agencies paid public safety personnel, without like Owensboro Municipal Utilities creating any more hardship for taxpayaren’t being reigned in as they should, ers. he said.

When possible, Maglinger said he “They keep raising taxes and OMU supports local public-private investkeeps raising rates,” he said. “The ment opportunities that ensure dollars mayor and the city commission keep stay in and around Owensboro. giving them a green light to do this, “As the owner of a local business for and they need to be stopped. I feel like over four decades, I have the experiwe need to watch what we spend; if we ence to be fiscally responsible, adapt don’t need it, then we don’t need to be to change and make decisions based purchasing it. Plus, we need to look at on what is best for Owensboro,” he ways that we can cut taxes a little bit.” said. “I have the credentials to meet The best way to build public cofthe challenges of this most demanding fers is through a broader tax base, he job.” said, and that’s best accomplished by

attracting high-quality, good-paying jobs. That’s the crux of his platform.

ADAM MARSHALL And, in addition to cutting the tax A bid for the city commission has increases he said the city didn’t need been in Adam Marshall’s sights for last year, he wants to readdress parts more than a decade, he says. He’s of the city that have gone too long devoted to helping create a more ignored.

Gamblin alone is for the working SEE COMMISSION/PAGE 11

MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Election Guide 3

2018 General Election VOTER INFORMATION

BY AUSTIN RAMSEY MESSENGER-INQUIRER

K

entucky’s 2018 general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., local time, but voters in line at 6 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.

Information about individual polling places and voting precincts is available online at GoVoteKY.com or at their county clerk’s office (listed below). The Daviess County Clerk’s Office online portal, daviessky.org/elections/, allows users to navigate to their home on a digital map and identify their precinct, legislative districts, wet-dry status, voting location and school board number. That same information is also available by calling the clerk’s office at 270-685-8434, ext. 3, by emailing Chief Deputy Richard House at rhouse@ daviessky.org, or by mailing the clerk’s office: P.O. Box 609; Owensboro, KY 42302-0609.

Voters are advised to keep in mind U.S. Postal Service speeds, and that emails may go unanswered on Election Day. Legislative district numbers and precinct numbers can be compared to sample ballots, which are also available by county at GoVoteKY.com or at the clerk’s office.

At the polling place, voters are required to produce identification with their picture and signature or be known by a precinct officer prior to voting.

According to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Office, acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, Social Security card, county-issued ID card approved, in writing, by the State Board of Elections,

LOCAL COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE Daviess County 212 St. Ann. St., Owensboro Phone Number: 270-685-8434, ext. 3 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 609, Owensboro KY 42302-0609 Website: daviessky.org/ elections/

U.S. government-issued ID card, Kentucky state government-issued ID card with picture, or certain credit cards.

Voter registration deadlines have already passed, meaning users who have not registered to vote through the Secretary of State’s Office will not be allowed to cast a ballot on Election Day. Those who did register to vote, but did not receive a confirmation card in the mail, are urged to contact their county clerk’s office.

Absentee voting is also available in Kentucky for voters who will be out of their county on Election Day or are advanced in age, disabled, ill, etc. The deadline for mail-in absentee ballots has already passed, but in-person absentee voting is available at the clerk’s office.

Voters do not have to vote according to party affiliation in Kentucky. The state conducts political party primaries before each general election. In those primary elections, voters may only vote for candidates of their same political affiliation and non-partisan candidates, but during the general election, voters may choose to vote for candidates of any party.

Bob Glenn Will be a Strong Voice in Frankfort For Working Families!

Bob Stands For: Expanding economic opportunities for ALL Kentuckians.

Protecting family farms and Kentucky agriculture.

Solving the pension crisis in a legal and ethical manner.

Fully protecting the rights of the unborn.

Preserving our 2nd amendment rights.

Restoring prevailing wage standards.

Improving families' access to quality healthcare.

Promoting proper funding of public education.

Paid for by Bob Glenn for KY State Senate

WHAT departments

With only 20% voter turnout -

Community development

Personnel

make up the city

Engineering

Purchasing

of owensboro?

Facilities maintenance

Sanitation

Finance

Special events

Owensboro fire

Street & stormwater

Owensboro police

Transit

Central dispatch

Learn more at o.

I need and appreciate your vote!

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Larry Conder for City Commissioner

What are the duties of a commissioner? r?

What does it cost to run a campaign?

Approximately $15,000 A commissioner earns $18,480 per year

We a r grow e ing! the city is 20 square miles The county is 477 square Miles

LARRY CONDER CITY COMMISSIONER R ion

Owensboro nsboro operates under a City Manager form of government.The Board of Commissioners is made up of a Mayor and four Commissioners. the Commissioners have two-year terms. The Mayor and Commissioners have equal voting power and they set the policies that govern the City.

The Commission appoints citizen advisory groups that help in the decision-making process.

The 2010 city population was 57,441 compared to 59,404 in 2017. the county was 96,658 in 2010 and 100,374 in 2017.

Of the county’s growth, 53% happened within the city limits.

Owensboro’s ANNUAL budget for 2018-2019

What is the city’s budget?

is $120.4 million Where does that money go? *Over 70% are personnel costs

The city of owensboro employs 428 local residents to provide the quality services that we have all come to rely on for the security and sustainability of our great community.

Owensboro’s unemployment rate is 3.7%

a historic low!

Owensboro area workforce is growing!! in 2017-2018, 46,100 are working!

Our local economy is booming. . .

WE still NEED MORE WORKERS!

Good news!

In total Owensboro real estate values increased 3.6%.

Of that, commercial and industrial Real estate accounted for 70% of the growth.

4 Election Guide MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

8th District Senate

Castlen, Glenn vie for Bowen’s seat in 8th District Senate

BY AUSTIN RAMSEY

S

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

en. Joe Bowen’s decision to retire this year leaves his 8th District seat in play on Nov. 6. Republican House District 14 incumbent Matt Castlen, of Owensboro, is eyeing the upgrade, while Owensboro Mayor Pro-Tem Bob Glenn is seeking his own 2019 General Assembly debut.

It’s an election the candidates are framing as a test on GOP control. A Republican caucus force to be reckoned with, Bowen leaves behind a great deal of political capital into which Castlen, a successful 2016 newcomer, is hoping to tap. Glenn, a Democrat, meanwhile, is distancing himself from establishment politics.

Despite Republican control at the state and national levels, Castlen said the nation’s moral direction continues to decline. He decided to take on a Senate seat, he said, because many leaders have failed to address tough challenges with a moral compass in hand.

“I thought it was time we had more leaders that gave more than lip ser vice, who had the heart to ser ve, and a backbone to do what is right,” he said.

Castlen was born and raised on a family farm.

He and his wife, Laura, own and operate Castlen Steel, a welding and manufacturing shop that specializes in fabrication, steel sales, industrial contracting, fertilizer material handling and storage. Castlen said that gives him a unique

MATT CASTLEN

BOB GLENN

Birthdate: Aug. 14, 1986 Address: 2625 Wrights Landing Road, Owensboro Education: Welding degree from Owensboro Community & Technical College Occupation: Owner of Castlen Steel LLC, with wife Laura Family: Wife Laura; children Claire and Abram Previous elected offices held: Kentucky House of Representatives, 14th District, 2016-present

Birthdate: Nov. 24, 1959 Address: 1829 Munday Court, Owensboro Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California; master’s degree from the University of Nevada and Ph.D. in communication from the University of Southern Mississippi Occupation: Professor of communication at Owensboro Community & Technical College Family: Wife Holly; children Bobby and Caitlin Glenn Previous elected offices held: Owensboro City Commissioner, 2012-present

opportunity to be a job creator, and he remains involved in the thriving metals industr y near the heart of the western Kentucky economy.

He is a part of the 8th District. The demographics fit who he is and his core beliefs, he said.

The GOP House member is running a Senate campaign focused on workforce development, rebuilding infrastructure, tax reform and reigning in wasteful government spending.

“I started from nothing, and I know what it’s like to put in a hard day’s work for honest pay,” he said.

“I firmly believe in paying your bills first and making sure we are being economical with

our taxpayer dollars. I am unapologetic about my Christian beliefs; Christians are under attack in this nation, and it’s up to our leaders to protect our rights.”

Castlen said he is a “large proponent for educating our youth to be prepared for the workforce.”

That’s why he said he ser ves on the board for GO FAME, a collaboration between industr y and Owensboro Community & Technical College that allows students to work and

attend college at the same time.

Glenn said middle-class working families need a strong voice that has gone unheard in Frankfort.

Republican control there has put public school funding on the chopping block, and the last-minute pension reform bill was, frankly, unethical, he said. It doesn’t work for local governments, he added.

“This requirement from Frankfort will badly harm the ability for many Kentucky communities to provide essential ser vices and adapt when leaner times arrive in the form of a recession or the exit of a major employer from their area,” he said. “In addition to the financial hardship put on cities by passing down these types of unfunded mandates, Owensboro is restricted from being able to seek out new sources of revenue available to other Kentucky cities due to a Kentucky law that doesn’t treat cities equally. We need to abolish the city class system so Owensboro has the same options as other cities to tap into additional sources of revenue for infrastructure and other important projects.”

Working families are paying taxes they’ve never faced before, while nonprofits, which have always been tax-exempt, are being taxed at 6 percent for many of the events they host, he said.

Income taxes are on their way up for most, as well, he noted.

His experience in city government, plus

the several community boards on which he ser ves, gives him an acute awareness of the pain and cost of poverty in the region, he said. He has had the opportunity to help build major state- and national-level infrastructure projects, while creating thousands of jobs for Owensboroans, he said.

The teacher’s pension, he said, needs a morally grounded solution that will allow schools to recruit and retain high-quality candidates.

He’s running on those kinds of changes, he said, plus continued support for programs that promote statewide and regional economic development. Health care, too, he said, is essential to moving the commonwealth for ward economically and socially. He favors

a state cooperative of insurance options so that low-income working families have viable choices beyond just Medicaid.

“I am a college instructor, an active civic leader, and I know that Frankfort has let us down again and again during the past two years,” he said.

“Policies that hurt working families and the middle class have been imposed (right to work, end of prevailing wage, workers compensation destruction and unemployment insurance reforms) that will drive workers’ wages down and ensure greater levels of poverty in the future.”

Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, aramsey@ messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @austinrramsey

Messenger-Inquirer www.messenger-inquirer.com

13th District House

Glenn, Johnson in rematch for 13th District House seat I

BY KEITH LAWRENCE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

n 2016, as a Republican wave swept Kentucky, newcomer DJ Johnson, an Owensboro Republican, defeated state Rep. Jim Glenn, a five-term incumbent Democrat, by 264 votes for the 13th District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

This year, Glenn is trying to reclaim the seat.

There are plenty of issues facing the 2019 session of the Kentucky General Assembly.

And both men have their priorities.

Johnson, a 60-year-old independent representative for PayJunction Services, said, “The pension shortfall will continue to loom over other issues due to its impact on all budget matters.

Health care costs will have to be addressed in the next session. The reimbursement rates for Medicaid prescription drugs to independent pharmacies, if not addressed, will soon put our seniors and low-income families in a financial bind should those independents be driven out of business.”

“Owensboro’s growth depends on improving job quality, strengthening educational opportunity and improving the infrastructure,” said Glenn, a 70-year-old college professor. “These three issues give Owensboro the building blocks for a successful future. As a legislator, I will focus on each issue.”

“Although we took important first steps in combating the opioid crisis by passing legislation to incarcerate dealers and medically treat victims, much more needs to be done there,” Johnson said.

“One area that has not

JIM GLENN

DJ JOHNSON

Date of birth: Feb. 17, 1948 Address: 1001 Michaels Court Education: Master of business administration in marketing from the University of WisconsinOshkosh; doctorate from the University of Kentucky Occupation: Tenured professor in economics, finance, marketing, management and business at Owensboro Community & Technical College Previous elected offices held: Kentucky House of Representatives, five terms Family: Wife Cornelia Glenn (deceased); two children

Date of birth: Nov. 2, 1957 Address: 1333 W. 12th St. Education: Bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications with a minor in military science, Western Kentucky University Occupation: Selfemployed independent representative for PayJunction Services Previous elected offices held: Kentucky House of Representatives, 2017-present Family: Wife Ellen Wilhoyte Johnson

received a great deal of attention, but is critical to improving the quality of life for our citizens, is workforce development. We now have several local businesses expanding their operations, creating hundreds of new good-paying jobs for our young job-seekers.”

He said, “We will continue to enact legislation to promote business expansion and job growth.

Many of these jobs require trained, qualified workers.

It is critical that we continue programs such as GO FAME and GO CAREERS

“The last 2 years have been a non-stop attack on t with a education, teachers and working families, public public employees..”“ t with “95% of us have been hit withaa tax increase while the rich received a tax cut..” .”

“It’s time to stop balancing Kentucky’s budget on the backs of the middle class.”

“I’m a retired public employee, a registered Nurse, a mother and I’m asking for your vote November 6th.”

to prepare our job-seekers for successful careers. I will be working on each of these issues, as well as any others that constituents bring to my attention.”

Glenn said, “The economy only grows and improves when we focus on the middle class and working class. In society, strengthening the monetary capital and human capital in the city of Owensboro through the repeal of wage-reducing laws will improve the middle class and working class as we grow. And all will profit.”

The 13th District includes most of Owensboro.

Keith Lawrence, 270-691-7301, klawrence@ messenger-inquirer.com

Paid for by Elizabeth M. Belcher Campaign

MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Election Guide 5

Daviess County jailer

Maglinger, Duncan compete for Daviess jailer

BY JAMES MAYSE

D

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

aviess County Jailer Art Maglinger is being challenged in office by Deborah Taylor Duncan.

Duncan, a Democrat, worked for 10 years as the jail’s second in command under her father, Harold Taylor, before he was defeated by David Osborne in 2002.

Duncan said her previous experience and her current position of director of strategic projects and integration at E 4 Health have prepared her to be jailer.

“I’m very hands-on” in management style, Duncan said, and she’s had 15 years of management experience. As former second-in-command under her father, Duncan said, “I’ve assisted with the staff, I’ve handled budgets ... I’ve done those roles.”

Duncan said a goal as jailer is to “do whatever is necessary to retain and recruit staff” and to increase programs for inmates.

“We are looking

ART MAGLINGER Date of birth: Aug. 20, 1981 Address: 8861 Kentucky 762 Education: Bachelor of arts in sociology, Western Kentucky University; master’s degree in public administration, Western Kentucky University Occupation: Daviess County jailer Previous elected offices held: Daviess County jailer, 2017-present Family: Wife Sarah; children Susanna, Christian and Titus

into programs that have viability with an incarcerated population,” Duncan said. The focus

Duncan said.

The jail at times recently has been near or over capacity in terms of the inmate population. Taylor said the jail can’t control the number of Daviess County inmates it holds, but it can reduce high populations by reducing the number of Department of Corrections and federal Date of birth: May 11, inmates housed there.

1967 When asked the role Address: 9465 U.S. of corrections, Duncan said “the primary goal is 231 to keep the community Education: Attended safe and the staff safe,” but Owensboro Community “it’s also an opportunity to & Technical College help people become better Occupation: Director people. of strategic projects and “I look at it as an acquisitions, E4 Health opportunity to put in Previous elected additional programming offices held: None to allow people to better Family: Children themselves,” Duncan said.

Hannah and Gage “I always knew I’d want to go back to the would be on education and jail, and I’d always known I’d run,” Duncan said. “... vocational programs and It’s something I’ve been “programs that enhance preparing for for years.” their opportunities Maglinger, a personally.”

“I’ve already been laying Republican, was appointed jailer in August 2017 after some groundwork with second-chance employers” longtime Jailer David for vocational programs, Osborne announced his

DEBORAH TAYLOR DUNCAN

Daviess County Clerk

First-time candidates vying for Daviess County clerk position

T

wo first-time political candidates will be vying for the office of Daviess County Clerk currently held by David “Oz” Osborne, who is retiring in December.

Democrat Richard House, current chief deputy county clerk, is new to politics but isn’t new to the duties of the clerk’s office. House has served in various positions at the office for 22 years under two county clerks.

“Technology is a continual change in this office, along with legislation,” House said.

“We have a good handle on what the changes will be and know what to look forward to. We’re not just starting from scratch.”

House said many of the duties of the clerk’s office come down to personnel decisions, which is why he will fall back on his master’s degree in business administration and experience on the office’s front line.

“I’ve always been a person that has gone above and beyond to help anyone I can,” House said.

“That’s just my nature.”

Republican candidate Leslie McCarty said she will also put her management experience

T RICHARD HOUSE Date of birth: Aug. 15, 1976 Address: 307 Catalina Drive Education: Master’s degree in business administration; bachelor’s degree in management, Western Kentucky University Occupation: Chief deputy county clerk Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Misty; daughters Gwen House and Alexis House

overseeing Daviess County Public Library’s Kentucky Room to good use. Along with helping local residents navigate the library’s regional collection, McCarty also volunteers with local veterans organizations and the Whitesville Historical Society.

“I ser ve in the community in different capacities,” McCarty said. “I look at this as another way to ser ve in

LESLIE MCCARTY

“From a taxpayer perspective, it gets up close to a self-sustaining budget,” Maglinger said.

Of the jail’s $5 million budget, “We generate about 85 percent” from housing DOC and federal prisoners and inmates from other counties.

The jail has expanded its work program by creating a new crew that works with the Department of Corrections. Maglinger said a goal for the future is to open Building 4, a low-security building, for possible use as a female substance abuse program.

When asked why he was seeking a full term as jailer, Maglinger said, “one of the reasons that got me into public safety is I have a strong sense of justice. For me to be a part of the justice system and protect the community, it’s more than a passion, it’s a calling.”

James Mayse, 270-691-7303, jmayse@ messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @JamesMayse

OTHER DAVIESS COUNTY ELECTIONS

BY JACOB DICK

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

intention to retire. Before then, Maglinger was an officer and detective with the Owensboro Police Department.

“It’s something you really can’t prepare for, with the intensity of the position,” Maglinger said.

“It has given me a lot of management experience.”

Maglinger said some accomplishments as jailer include bringing in more federal inmates, stopping contraband sent to inmates through the mail and investigating assaults. He also worked to secure a pay raise for deputy jailers.

“My goal is to act aggressively to keep a full staff, and I feel I’ve done that,” Maglinger said.

One of his primary accomplishments, he said, has been increasing the number of federal inmates.

The jail houses state, federal and Vanderburgh County inmates as well as county inmates, and the federal government pays the county more to house federal inmates than the state Department of Corrections.

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he following ar e other county-wide races appearing on the ballot: • Eastern District Justice of the Peace — Anthony Cobb, Republican and Jer r y McCandless, Democrat

• Eastern District Constable — Dan Bennett, Republican and David Allen Underhill, Democrat • Western District Constable — Kris D. Crawford, Republican; Charles McCarty, Independent and Paul E. Westerfield, Democrat

Date of birth: Aug. 5, 1980 Address: 4138 Kentucky 144 Education: Master’s degree in library science, Texas Woman’s University Occupation: Librarian, manager of Kentucky Room Previous elected offices held: None Family: Husband Jarrod McCarty

the community.”

McCarty said she would like to use her outside perspective and fresh insight toward what a county clerk’s office should be to create more impact for citizens.

“I do look at people who come to do business at the office as customers,” McCarty said. “Even though they are taxpayers and there to do official business, that doesn’t mean we can’t go out in the community and try things like voting registration drives.”

“For 22 years, I have worked for you in the Daviess County Clerk’s Office. I started out filing voter cards and running a cash register; today, I am the Chief Deputy Clerk for Oz Osborne, overseeing day to day opera�ons.

During that �me, I have worked two jobs ,earned a Bachelors in Management, and a Masters in Business Administra�on from WKU while raising two daughters with my wife, Misty. The best part of my job has been helping people, whether it be with a vehicle issue, passport, legal recording, or an Elec�on ma�er. The Clerk’s Office and our staff serve so many in our community. I have had the privilege of being a part of that. With that said, I humbly ask for your vote on November 6th so that I can con�nue to use my 22 years of Experience, Integrity, and Dedica�on to expand services, be cost efficient, and be�er serve you as your next County Clerk.”

Thank you, Richard House

6 Election Guide MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Daviess County, Owensboro Public School Boards

Several running for city, county boards

I

BY BOBBIE HAYSE MESSENGER-INQUIRER

OWENSBORO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ncumbent John Blaney Jr. is seeking re-election to the Owensboro school board, which has two available seats, along with candidates Jeremy Luckett and Michael Johnson Sr. Blaney, who was elected to the school board in 2006, has been in education all of his life. Because of this, he feels he has made a contribution to the board, which he described as a team effort.

“Being on the school board is not an individual effort, it’s a team effort with the other board members,” he said. “I feel that with my experience in the school system over the years, as well as being on the board, I’ve made a contribution to the process.”

He has enjoyed being on the board, he said, and being among the other “great board members and great staff” in the Owensboro Public Schools system.

“I want to continue for another four years,” he said.

If re-elected, stakeholders can expect transparency, openness and a continued focus on the students, Blaney said.

“I’m ver y focused on the youth,” he said.

“We have a good board that works together and solves problems and develops new programs.”

Michael Johnson Sr. thinks his lifelong career in the U.S. Navy has prepared him for the leadership required to be a school board member. His said his primar y reason for running for the school board is his passion for the district — its students, parents and the administration.

He has ser ved on the leadership planning committee and said he has done a lot of work behind the scenes with the school board and thinks the board and the district are headed in the right direction.

“The district is doing a great job,” Johnson said.

“My main goal is to help and ser ve in a capacity to make sure our students are prepared for college and career.”

Johnson, who is also active in the community with nonprofits and charitable organizations,

JOHN BLANEY JR.

MICHAEL JOHNSON SR.

Date of birth: April 10, 1945 Address: 1514 B Linden Ave. Education: Kentucky Wesleyan College undergraduate degree; Western Kentucky University graduate degree Occupation: Retired Previous elected offices held: Elected to school board 2006 Family: Wife Joanna; daughters Ashlie Iracane and Brooke King; son Ryan; 10 grandchildren

said he is eager to work for the public, as he has done his whole life.

If elected, constituents can expect him to work hard and place goals on the district that would be achievable, and continue to be a great communicator.

“I will work hard in ever y area of the school system so they can become the ver y best that they can be,” he said.

Through his involvement with a Chamber of Commerce Leadership Owensboro class, Jeremy Luckett began attending city school board meetings.

Through his attendance, he began learning what goes on throughout the city school district and decided he wanted to be involved.

Luckett believes doctors should not just be individuals who see patients in the office, and as an area physician, he decided to run for school board to make a difference.

“I think we are called to be leaders in the community, and I feel like this might be my way to do that,” Luckett said.

As far as his plans if elected, Luckett said he would not do anything different in particular.

He said the district is moving in the right direction, with its recent integration of fifth grade back into elementar y schools, and he supports the current board’s decision to create a new middle school similar to the Owensboro

Date of birth: Oct. 30, 1969 Address: 111 Sycamore St. Education: Owensboro High School; Culinary Institute of Johnson & Wales University; Tidewater Community College Occupation: Retired U.S. Navy Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Christie; daughters Mikayla Johnson and Destini Leonard; sons Michael Johnson Jr., Josiah Johnson, Cameron Wells, Lashon Leonard and Devin Leonard

Innovation Academy high school.

“I think that’s actually pretty innovative, and I think it’s exciting for our district to have something like that,” he said. “I think continuing to develop out that’s going to work is a real important part of being on the school board.”

Luckett said there is local and statewide concern about maintaining funding for good, quality public schools. It’s important for the school board members and the superintendent to “stand up” for such funding.

“Owensboro is ver y lucky to have some of the best public schools in the state, so we need to make sure that we continue to fund that so that we can keep those,” he said. “It’s something our community needs to be proud of.”

Races for Owensboro Public Schools are nonpartisan.

JEREMY LUCKETT Date of birth: June 29, 1982 Address: 320 Hill Avenue, Unit D Education: University of Kentucky undergraduate degree; master’s degree and doctorate from University of Kentucky; Western Hills High School in Frankfort Occupation: Primary care physician Previous elected offices held: None Family: Daughter Corinne; son Gavin

County schools.

“I am a strong advocate of public education,” he said.

“DCPS is an outstanding school system and I want the opportunity to help guide it to meet the needs of all students it ser ves.”

As a school board member, Morgan wants to work with the other board members to be an active part of the decision-making process concerning the future challenges DCPS may face.

“I want to see that ever y student is provided the best possible education which leads to a successful career path,” he said.

Payne decided to run again for his District 2 seat on the school board because he has been a part of several initiatives

JAMES M. MORGAN DISTRICT 1

Date of birth: Aug. 6, 1953 Address: 4084 Pleasant Valley Road Education: Union County High School class of 1971; bachelor of science from Western Kentucky University in 1975; master’s degree from Murray State University in 1979; Rank I in education from Western Kentucky University in 1980 Occupation: Retired teacher from Daviess County Public Schools Previous elected offices held: None Family: Wife Gayle; sons Justin and Nathan; three grandchildren

TOM PAYNE DISTRICT 2

Date of birth: Oct. 8, 1948 Address: 2251 Becklynn Drive Education: Daviess County High School class of 1967; bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College; Rank 1 from Western Kentucky University; doctorate from Vanderbilt University Occupation: Retired educator Previous elected offices held: District 2 school board member, 2014-present Family: Wife Amy; daughters Meghan and Sarah; son Will; eight grandchildren

His campaign slogan has always been “high on over the last four years education and common that he would like to see sense leadership,” and it through, including the building of a new Daviess remains the same.

County Middle School He plans to help DCPS and the renovations to “to continue to be one Apollo High School. of the best districts in If re-elected, Kentucky, if not the constituents can expect nation, and just use some Payne to be honest. common sense in the “I’ll be honest. I will board’s business, which be open, and open to ideas,” Payne said. “We is really the people’s have a part of our agenda business.” at ever y board meeting Races of Daviess were individuals can County Public Schools come and address the are nonpartisan. board. This is important, the board can listen Bobbie Hayse, to concerns or maybe bhayse@messenger-inquirer. issues we may or may not be aware of.” com, 270-691-7315.

Primary Results

DAVIESS COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

James M. Morgan and incumbent Tom Payne are both running unopposed for their seats on the Daviess County Public Schools board of education.

Morgan is running for the District 1 seat because, he said, he has always had an interest in education and all things associated with it. He was an educator for 31 years, with 30 of those being in Daviess

Photo by Alan Warren, Messenger-Inquirer | awarren@messenger-inquirer.com

Richard House, chief deputy of the Daviess County Clerk’s Office, left, and David “Oz” Osborne, Daviess County clerk, get the results of the absentee paper ballot votes from the primary election from the E-Scan machine May 22 in the count room in the basement of the Daviess County Courthouse.

Vote for New Leadership LIFE-LONG RESIDENT OF OWENSBORO LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER FOR 42 YEARS

I Support: RESPONSIBLE USE OF TAX DOLLARS ENSURING A SAFE COMMUNITY SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES “I will always make decisions based on what is best for Owensboro”

I would appreciate your vote on November 6th # 1 ON THE BALLOT

Paid for by Larry Maglinger for City Commissioner

MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Election Guide 7

6th District Judge

Burlew, Miller to compete for Daviess District Judge

BY JAMES MAYSE

D

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

aniel M. “Nick” Burlew II and Misty Miller have a lot in common.

Both were attorneys in private practice who did criminal defense work and then went on to be prosecutors for the Daviess County Attorney’s Office. Both have years of experience in civil and criminal law, and believe in the justice system’s ability to help victims of crime and provide rehabilitation to offenders.

Burlew, who has been District judge for Daviess County’s Division III since 2009, wants to stay on the bench for one

more term. Miller wants to bring her experience to the bench.

The race for judge is nonpartisan.

Burlew said his time as judge has been valuable.

“With age comes wisdom,” Burlew said.

“I have proven judicial experience over a long period of time. I’ve never had any reprimands or anything I’ve done improper (be alleged) and I’ve learned respecting the public that come before you is ver y important.”

District Court is extremely busy and handles misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic cases, small complaints, probate and juvenile

cases. Many felony cases are first heard in District Court before going to a grand jur y and Circuit Court.

“I think integrity and character flow into being a good judge,” Burlew said. “I like to consider myself the gatekeeper of fundamental fairness.”

When people come before the bench for their cases, “I want to give them a fair shake,” he said.

“People will come to me and say ‘Judge, I really appreciate what you did the other day,’” Burlew said. “That happens more often than not.”

When asked the purpose of the judicial

Freedom Displayed

Photo by Alan Warren, Messenger-Inquirer/awarren@messenger-inquirer.com

Voters cast their ballots in the 2016 general election at the Owensboro Sportcenter.

★★★

system, Burlew said, “One of the main purposes of the criminal justice system is to make sure people who are charged with crimes are treated fairly, that they have representation, that they are treated equally and that the scales of justice are adhered to.”

While Burlew said he tries to reduce fines when applicable and make sure defendants are being treated fairly in court, he said he has a cautious approach on the subject of reducing a person’s bond.

“A ‘better safe than sorr y’ approach is my approach to bail and public safety,” Burlew said.

Burlew said he does not make snap decisions.

“I think when you’re assigning the rights and liabilities (of parties) in a bench trial ... it’s best to take your time,” he said.

Miller has been a prosecutor with the Daviess County Attorney’s Office for about 13 years, a position she described as, “the best job I’ve ever had, so far.” Miller said her responsibility is to justice.

“As a prosecutor ... you don’t have to zealously advocate for anything but the truth,” Miller said. “That’s probably the best lesson, to hear ever ything before you make a decision.”

Miller said her experience as a prosecutor would help her if she’s elected District judge.

“I have a duty to both sides,” she said.

A District judge requires a strong work

DANIEL M. “NICK” BURLEW II

Date of birth: Oct. 24, 1960 Address: 8019 Kentucky 1389 Education: Bachelor of arts from Kentucky Wesleyan College; law degree from Northern Kentucky University Occupation: Prosecutor, Daviess County Attorney’s Office Previously elected offices held: None Family: Unmarried; no children

Date of birth: Oct 29, 1942 Address: 1024 Griffith Ave. Education: Bachelor of arts from Southern Methodist University; law degree from the University of Louisville Occupation: District judge Previous elected offices held: District judge, 2009-present Family: Wife Missy; three children

“I’ve been working with a team of ethic, organizational professionals to tr y to skills to handle the large craft a mental health docket and the ability court,” Miller said.

The to be understanding of goal would be to divert the plight of people who people with mental come before the bench, issues out of the criminal she said. justice system and into “You have to be able treatment. to move your docket,” Another goal of the Miller said. “On my system is to help victims criminal day, it’s not of crime, Miller said, and uncommon for the court to get them restitution to have 300 cases.” “and not leave them out Miller said her in the cold. approach to the law is, “I love resolving “do justice, love mercy.” disputes,” Miller said. “I “People are not always have a lot of energy and at their best when they’re a fresh perspective. It’s in court,” Miller said. a people’s court, there “Someone might be are so many things you sitting there in panic are doing. There’s always mode when (they are) a something to do or learn, defendant, and you have and you get to interact to keep that in mind. with the public.”

“While the criminal justice system is punitive, James Mayse, there is a prospect of 270-691-7303, jmayse@ rehabilitation,” Miller messenger-inquirer.com, said.

Twitter: @JamesMayse

Who will represent your values?

Jim Glenn has consistently voted against pro-life legislation since 2011. Voted against SB 102 (2012) which required abortionists to meet the patient in person before conducting an abortion. Voted against SB 103 (2012) which required abortionists to provide an ultrasound prior to an abortion. Voted against HB 164 (2012) which would have banned abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Source: 2012 Regular Session, Report of Committee (House Health and Welfare).

2 Voted no to override Governor Beshears’ veto of HB 279 (03-26-13) that protects religious freedoms. Source: www. lrc. ky.gov/record/13rs/hb279.htm 3 Voted for HB 416 (2013) (House Committee Substitute) which expanded gambling in Kentucky. Source: www.lrc. ky.gov/record/13rs/hb416.htm 4 Voted for HB 454 which bans abortion after 11 weeks and bans dismemberment abortions. Passed into law April 10, 2018. Source: www.lrc.ky.gov/record/18RS/HB454/ vote_history. pdf Voted for SB 112 which prohibits the use of telehealth in the performance of an abortion. Source: www.lrc. ky.gov/record/18RS/SB112/vote_history.pdf 5 Voted for HB 372 which would have restricted state government from taking discriminatory actions against religious organizations. Source: www.lrc.ky.gov/ record/18RS/HB372/ vote_history.pdf 6 Sponsored HB 326 which maintains single-sex restrooms, locker rooms and dorms. Source: www.lrc.ky.gov/ record/18RS/HB326.htm

MISTY MILLER

★★★

1

A VOTE FOR JOHNSON IS A CONSISTENT VOTE FOR FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, PRO-LIFE AND PRO-FAMILY VALUES.

House District 13

Incumbent

The information below was compiled by voting records and a candidate questionnaire distributed by the Commonwealth Policy Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan Kentucky organization.

JimGlenn Glenn Jim (D-Owensboro) (D-Owensboro)

D.J. Johnson (R-Owensboro)

NO1 Protect Human Life NO2 Protect Religious Freedom NO RESPONSE Man/Woman Marriage NO RESPONSE Spending Cuts Before Raising Taxes

YES⁴ YES⁵ YES YES

NO RESPONSE

NO⁶

Transgender Bath & Locker Rooms in Public Schools YES3 Casino Gambling Expansion NO RESPONSE Legalize Recreational Pot

NO NO

Paid for by the Commonwealth Policy PAC, UCC. Not authorized by any candidate or campaign.

8 Election Guide MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

14th District House

Whitesville Mayor

Whitesville on track Belcher, Lewis seeking 14th District House seat for its first female mayor

BY JACOB DICK

BY KEITH LAWRENCE

T

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he race for the 14th District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives is a rare one this year.

There is no incumbent.

Matt Castlen, the Owensboro Republican who currently holds the seat, is running for the Kentucky Senate this time.

The 14th District race is between Elizabeth Mulligan Belcher, a retired nurse and city loss prevention manager, and Scott Lewis, superintendent of Ohio County schools.

She’s an Owensboro Democrat. He’s an Ohio County Republican.

Neither has held public office before.

Lewis, 57, said education is the main issue in his campaign.

“State employees and teachers haven’t had raises in eight of the past 10 years, and the two years they got them, it was minimal,” he said. “We’re in the top five states in terms of decreased funding for education. I’ve been in education 30-plus years. I never thought we’d ever have to fight like we did this year.”

Lewis said he thinks there will be changes next year in funding for education and in state pensions — “if the right people get elected.”

He has been superintendent of Ohio County schools for six years.

Before that, Lewis was superintendent of Hancock County schools for six years. He’s also been a teacher, coach, principal and a Kentucky State Police trooper.

He said earlier that if he’s elected, he plans to retire as superintendent.

Belcher, 70, said if she

T

ELIZABETH MULLIGAN BELCHER Date of birth: Dec. 8, 1947 Address: 3835 Riverside Drive, Owensboro Education: associate degree in applied science RN, Henderson Community College; studied at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the University of Cincinnati as preparation for certification in Occupational Health Nursing Specialist Occupation: Retired from City of Owensboro as Loss Prevention Manager and Medical Officer and from Owensboro Health Work Health Convenient Care Center Previous elected offices held: None Family: Husband Randall Belcher; sons Chris and Brad; five grandchildren

SCOTT LEWIS Date of birth: June 2, 1961 Address: 1901 Beda Road, Hartford Education: bachelor’s degree from University of Louisville; master’s degree and Rank I in education from Western Kentucky University Occupation: Superintendent of Ohio County Schools Previous elected offices held: None Family: Children Tori Warren and Trevor and Trey Lewis; three grandsons

job skills training.

She said she supports legalizing medical marijuana.

Belcher said she grew up on a farm in West Louisville and most of her family is still involved with farming.

She is retired from city government, where she was loss prevention manager and medical officer, and from Owensboro Health Work Health Convenient had to sum up her campaign Care Center.

The 14th District in one phrase, “it would be includes most of eastern worker’s rights.”

Daviess County and all of She tells voters that Ohio County. health care is a right, not a About 42 percent of the privilege.

Belcher said she believes vote is usually from Daviess and 58 percent from Ohio. the state must keep the

promises it made to public Keith Lawrence, employees about their pensions and must fully fund 270-691-7301, klawrence@ public education, including messenger-inquirer.com

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

he race for Whitesville mayor features two candidates with experience in the city’s business, including a 20-year veteran commissioner and a former park director, but will also produce the city’s first female leader no matter the winner.

The mayoral race is nonpartisan.

Patsy Mayfield, a retiree and longtime volunteer firefighter with Whitesville Volunteer Fire Department, is looking to make the transition from city commissioner to mayor. She said she knows the city faces economic hurdles in order to grow, but she wants to take up those responsibilities as mayor for the people she has served.

“I’m running for mayor because I have a desire to work for the citizens of Whitesville, which I’m proud to call my home,” Mayfield said. “I know I’m up for a challenge by finding ways to bring funds to the city, but I plan on applying for every grant that is out there.”

Mayfield said she will use her experience as a commissioner and the knowledge she’s gained by working with the Green River Area Development District to find ways to tackle challenges like economic growth and deteriorating sidewalks.

“I’ve learned to listen to the citizens about their concerns and the issues,” Mayfield said. “I want

JENNIFER WEDDING HARDESTY Date of birth: May 4, 1969 Address: 10170 Walnut St. Education: Daviess County High School Occupation: Bus monitor for Ohio County Bus Garage Previous elected offices held: None Family: Husband David Hardesty; daughter Presley Hardesty

to just be there for the people and continue to do the best I can.”

Jennifer Wedding Hardesty, a newcomer to politics, served as Whitesville’s park director for almost 10 years.

She said her experience helping citizens organize gatherings at the park’s shelters, along with her dedication to the city, led her to run for its top leadership position.

“I got into being a politician because I want Whitesville to prosper,” Hardesty said. “We’re stagnated, which is a term I don’t like to use. My goal is to bring revenue in to help the budget and bring more foot traffic to the city.”

PATSY MAYFIELD Date of birth: Sept.

24, 1948 Address: 10735 Green St. Education: Mary Carrico Memorial School Occupation: Retired bus driver and volunteer firefighter with Whitesville Volunteer Fire Department Previous elected offices held: Whitesville city commissioner for 20 years Family: Husband Ronnie Mayfield; daughters Tina Burch, Gail Bartlett and Jennifer Grefe

Hardesty said she would like to use the city’s public spaces like that park to host events or opportunities to make Whitesville’s strengths known to nearby communities.

“I want to bring people from the surrounding areas in to visit,” Hardesty said. “My goal isn’t to turn Whitesville into Owensboro. I just want us to establish ourselves.”

Also on the ballot are candidates for Whitesville city commission, also a nonpartisan race: Bob Abell, Joseph S. “Joey” Beatty, Greg Beyke, Shawn Trevor Crabtree, Joseph “Buddy” Mattingly and Clarence Julian Merritt.

As your present County Commissioner, I will... . Continue to support high-paying jobs & protect our local jobs . Bring awareness to drug abuse and domestic violence . Continue working with Economic Development Corporation and Chamber of Commerce with present & future new company prospects . Support our law enforcement, re departments and rst responders . Continue working on our roads, bridges and drainage systems

Vote for Mike regardless of where you live or your party affiliation.

Pa i d fo r M i ke Ko ger fo r D av i es s C o unt y C o m m i s s i o n er C o m m it t e e

MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Election Guide 9

2nd Congressional District

Guthrie, Linderman vie to represent 2nd District

BY JAMES MAYSE

R

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

epublican Rep. Brett Guthrie, who succeeded Ron Lewis in 2008, is in his ninth year of office and is seeking a fifth term representing the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Owensboro.

Meanwhile, Hank Linderman, a Falls of Rough Democrat, is campaigning to unseat Guthrie.

Both Linderman and Guthrie say cooperation is important, and achievable, between Republicans and Democrats in Washington.

Both are similarly concerned about economic development and opioid addiction but have different views on how the country should manage health care costs.

“I’ve built relationships to get things done” with Democrats, Guthrie said in a recent interview when asked how he would continue to work if the GOP loses its current majority in the House. “... There are big issues we can disagree on, but when you find common ground, build on that. I feel like I can be effective.”

Guthrie said he has worked to get the William H. Natcher Parkway designated I-165, a spur of I-65. Guthrie said he’s also done work to support Ft. Knox and brought federal officials to area companies to discuss how tariffs affect local industry.

On opioid addiction, a bill Guthrie sponsored to fund several “recovery centers”

recently passed both the House and Senate.

“I think we’ve been 2nd District focused,” Guthrie said.

When asked about issues of concern, Guthrie said, “We have to figure out how to get out federal budget deficit under control.”

The GOP-controlled Congress passed a $1.5 trillion tax cut, which was signed by President Trump in December. According to an Oct. 15 article in the New York Times, the budget deficit increased 17 percent in fiscal year 2018, which ended on Sept. 30. Federal corporate tax revenue was $205 billion in fiscal year 2018, compared to $297 billion in fiscal year 2017.

When asked about the deficit in relation to the tax cut, Guthrie said, “We’re having more revenue come in this year because of the economic growth. The big thing is health care spending. That’s the biggest driver of our debt.”

Guthrie said he worked on the “American Health Care Act,” which would have “repealed and replaced the Affordable Care Act.” The bill would have cut back the Medicaid expansion that took place under the Affordable Care Act. A Congressional Budget Office analysis last year said the bill would reduce the federal deficit but result in 24 million fewer people having Medicaid coverage in a decade. The bill failed to pass in the Senate.

“It allowed Medicaid to

BRETT GUTHRIE Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1964 Address: P.O. Box 9639, Bowling Green Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; master’s degree in public and private management from Yale University Occupation: U.S. congressman from Kentucky’s 2nd District; former vice president of Trace Die Cast in Bowling Green Previous elected offices held: U.S congressman, 2008-present; Kentucky Senate, 1998-2008 Family: Wife Beth Clemmons Guthrie; children Caroline, Robby and Elizabeth

grow at medical inflation, but reformed the program, giving more flexibility to the states” and would have saved “over $880 billion over the next 10 years,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie said Congress could attempt “to do the Medicaid separate” or could again attempt to repeal and replace the ACA, but the

7th District House

Gray, Miles in House rematch from 2016

Linderman, a Louisville native who split his time between Falls of Rough and California for years as a music producer, said partisan divisions between people can be resolved when people talk and listen to each other.

“When I go out in the district and talk to people, even people I disagree with, I listen very carefully Date of birth: Aug. 2, for something I can agree 1952 with,” Linderman said in a Address: 1182 recent interview. “... I look Paradise Acres Road, Falls for agreement. of Rough “I don’t care where a Education: Attended good idea comes from,” the University of Linderman said. He gained Louisville experience in working Occupation: Musician, with people from different recording engineer and perspectives when he was a producer member of an anti-bullying Previous elected task force that created offices held: None a policy for Los Angeles Family: Wife Pamela; schools. children Jack and Lucy On health care, Linderman said the country GOP would have to maintain needs “health care for all focused on prevention” its majority in the House to and cure, rather than just do so. treatment. Other nations, Guthrie said his main priority is economic growth, such as France, have successful “single payer” and particularly helping health care policies and employers find “a skilled, quality workforce.” Another spend less on health care than the U.S., he said, and priority would be looking he supports bills such to reduce pharmaceutical as Sen. Bernie Sanders’ prices.

“Medicaid for All” plan.

“Because of third-party Linderman said raising payer, there’s a whole the minimum wage would bureaucracy between be a priority that would the drug manufacturer ... help the 2nd District, and and the end user,” such he would work on the as insurance companies, Guthrie said. The goal would issue of the cost of higher education and student be “managing prices while loan debt. Students cannot maintaining the value for drug companies” that create get out of their loan debt pharmaceuticals, he said. obligations by filing for

HANK LINDERMAN

bankruptcy, he said.

Opposition to those issues is largely driven by corporations that influence politicians through campaign financing, Linderman said.

“We have to look at our entrenched leadership,” he said, adding that politicians funded by corporations are focused on serving corporate interests.

“My goal is to serve only the people of the district and the American people,” Linderman said. Political divisions are driven by in economic inequality people feel, he said.

“Voters should have a look at who is financing their candidate,” Linderman said.

When asked if big changes such as universal health care were politically possible, Linderman said the people he has met through the campaign have often found areas of agreement with him, even if they are of different political parties.

Linderman said if elected, he will form an advisory committee with Republicans and Democrats to get their input on issues and policy.

Having lived in both major cities and rural areas, “I can move between both worlds,” he said.

“We are all starving to be friends again and be an American family again,” Linderman said. By working to bridge differences and find common ground, “we can truly make America great again for more than just the wealthy.”

Primary Prep

BY KEITH LAWRENCE

T

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

here are 100 seats in the Kentucky House of Representatives on the Nov. 6 ballot.

A lot of women are running for those seats this year.

But only seven races pit two women against each other.

One is District 7, where Democrat Joy Gray, a retired Daviess County teacher, is challenging state Rep. Suzanne Miles, a Republican who has held the seat representing Union County and parts of Daviess and Henderson County since 2013.

It’s a rematch of 2016 when Miles won re-election by more than 5,000 votes as a Republican wave swept Kentucky.

But with teachers and other state employees angr y about changes to their pensions approved by the Republican-controlled Kentucky General Assembly last spring, Gray returned to again challenge Miles.

“I am concerned about the constant attack on public education, healthcare and the unfair tax code,” she said.

“But the main reason I am running for state representative is the lack of living wage jobs.”

Gray said, “I will represent all of Union County and they are suffering. According to KYNDLE — Henderson, Union and Webster counties chambers of commerce — job growth has declined and wages are stagnant.”

She said, “Over 40 percent of Kentuckian earn below the poverty line. I am concerned

JOY GRAY Date of birth: May 1, 1953 Address: 3769 Legacy Run Education: Bachelor of science in special education and elementary education from Brescia University; master’s in elementary education with a reading endorsement from Western Kentucky University; Rank I in curriculum from Indiana Wesleyan University Occupation: Retired from Apollo High School in 2011; currently teaches homebound students and substitutes Previous elected offices held: None Family: Two adult children and five grandchildren

SUZANNE MILES Date of birth: Nov. 18, 1970 Address: 2700 Keller Road Education: Apollo High School, 1988; Transylvania University, 1992 Occupation: Field representative for U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie Previous elected offices held: Kentucky House of Representatives, 2013-present Family: Single

She declined to elaborate on those issues.

Miles’ website says, “This campaign will be focused on a substantive discussion about how to move our state in the right direction.

Kentucky has abundant natural resources, because in Daviess wonderful schools, and County, we are giving people who understand tax breaks to companies what it means to treat who are bringing in $11 people with fairness and an hour jobs. To improve honesty.” our area, these and many It adds, “I can’t other issues need to be promise that we will addressed in an open, transparent way with input agree on ever y issue, but as your elected public from the people these decisions will affect, not ser vant, I will strive to behind closed doors.” work for the people of Miles said her top the 7th District to the issues in the campaign best of my ability.” are tax reform, unfunded Miles is going into the pension liabilities, fall race with a war chest public education, public of $58,229. protection, infrastructure Gray has funding, and “more raised $17,117. consistent laws with

Keith Lawrence, surrounding states to 270-691-7301, klawrence@ compete locally and messenger-inquirer.com globally.”

Photo by Alan Warren, Messenger-Inquirer | awarren@messenger-inquirer.com

From left, Cindy Hall, Amy Forrest and Wayne Swift, working on behalf of the Daviess County Clerk’s Office, set up voting booths May 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church’s Parish Hall.

10 Election Guide MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

East County Commissioner

Ensure continued prosperity and conservative values by voting the straight Republican ticket

Sapp challenging Koger in East County Commissioner race

BY JACOB DICK

D

MESSENGER-INQUIRER

aviess Fiscal Cour t’s lone Democrat will be defending the of fice of East County commissioner against a political newcomer.

Mike Koger, finishing his first term as one of the county’s three commissioners, said the commission has some accomplishments to look for ward to, but there are also challenges that await it.

“I feel like we will have the debt on our bonds for the (Owensboro) Convention Center paid of f soon, so it will free up the insurance tax for other projects,” Koger said. “We will also make progress on the bonds for WKU-Owensboro and have sewer connections to Cedar Hills. We’re going to be dealing with more pension obligations from the state, and we will have to figure out the best way to deal with that.”

Koger said his time working as a skilled laborer and running his own business has helped him understand what people expect from their government and how to deliver it.

“I think being a business owner for over 35 years has given me experience as far as

MIKE KOGER

JIMMIE SAPP

Date of birth: April 24, 1951 Address: 4340 Plantation Pointe Education: Brescia College Occupation: Small business owner Previous elected offices held: East County commissioner Family: Wife Donna; children Holly Alexander and Jason Koger; five grandchildren

Date of birth: Aug. 29, 1959 Address: 2867 Pleasant Valley Road Education: Apollo High School with posteducation training from North America Service Training in Memphis, Tennessee Occupation: Automotive technician; business owner Previous elected offices held: None Family: Daughter Stephanie Leigh Sapp (deceased); sons James D. Sapp II and Nicholas Lee Sapp

working with people and maintaining a budget,” Koger said.

Koger’s opponent also has experience as a small business owner and seeks to put his skills to use for Daviess County.

Republican Jimmie Sapp, owner and operator of Twin Oaks Automotive, said he wants to be known as someone that helped ser ve all of Daviess County, not just the people in his district.

“My goal is to be looked at the end of a four-year term as being one of the best

commissioners Daviess County has ever had, that ser ved all the citizens with distinction, and not just (a) select few,” Sapp said.

Sapp said he will be focused on growing good-paying jobs in Daviess County. He said he suppor ts Second Amendment rights and is pro-life.

“As a taxpayer, I’m committed to finding solutions for the county that won’t commit hardship for taxpayers,” Sapp said. “I’m asking all residents of Daviess County, Owensboro and Whitesville to vote for me.”

Brett Guthrie

Matt Castlen

Suzanne Miles

2nd District US Congress

8th District KY Senate

7th District KY House

James Buckmaster

Jim Gooch Jr

DJ Johnson

11th District KY House

12 District KY House

13 District KY House

Scott Lewis

Al Mattingly

Arthur Maglinger

14th Disctict KY House

Judge Executive

Jailer

Leslie McCarty

Charlie Castlen

Jimmie Sapp

County Clerk

County Commissioner Central District County Commissioner Eastern District

George Wathen

Daniel Bennett

Kris Crawford

County Commissioner Western District Constable Eastern District Constable Western District PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

Anthony Cobb

Cathy Kramer

Justice of the Peace Eastern District

Justice of the Peace Western District

Paid for by the Daviess County Republican Party

Vote DEBORAH

TAYLOR DUNCAN

I would appreciate your vote Nov. 6!

for Daviess County

JAILER 10+ YEARS EXPERIENCE IN CORRECTIONS • • • •

— Deborah Taylor Duncan

15+ YEARS IN BEHAVIORAL/MENTAL HEALTH

Served with my father, 5-term jailer, Harold Taylor Responsible for security and administrative operations Program director for inmate rehabilitation 480 hours corrections-based training

• Co-developer of a suicide intervention/ prevention program • Implemented programs to address behavioral/mental health concerns and social skill issues

Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge 16), 26-year member • Masonville Volunteer Fire Department, four-term board member • Member Masonville United Methodist Church

Endorsed by Owensboro Area Building and Construction Trades Council Paid for by Deborah Taylor Duncan forof Daviess Jailer.

Supported

by Fraternal Order PoliceCounty Lodge 16 Barry Duncan Treasurer.

We Support DEBORAH

TAYLOR DUNCAN Donna Montalvo & Susan MontalvoGesser

Nancy Taylor

for Daviess County

JAILER VOTE TUES., NOV. 6!

Sheriff Keith Cain

Hugh & Lisa Bittel

Cindy & Ed Sheriff

I would appreciate your vote Nov. 6!

Paid for by Deborah Taylor Duncan for Daviess County Jailer.

Barry Duncan Treasurer

MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

COMMISSION FROM PAGE 2

prosperous community that retains its youth and motivates young people to get involved.

He said he believes the city of Owensboro is on track to saddle future generations with debt. So far, the commission has passed its own bill hikes right on to the taxpayers, and he said it’s time that stops. Rising costs of living mean the city, too, must spend more conser vatively, he added.

“This community is full of amazing people that I want to be able to ser ve and highlight their struggles and their successes,” he said. “They feel they need a voice from someone who is able to navigate the politics and have a backbone. They want their representatives to stand up and say ‘no,’ when the time is appropriate, and say ‘yes,’ when it is needed. More importantly, I think the citizens are tired of ever y agency — including local government — wanting to dig deeper into their pockets.”

Marshall said he is qualified because he’s a part of the community and understands the pain that rising costs mean on local families. That’s why he’s running on a platform to make spending cuts to the city budget and tr y to find more revenue streams for savings and investments. Plus, he wants to ensure continued support for public ser vants, especially among police officers and firefighters.

OMU has suffered too many main breaks that have left customers without water, he said, and roads in the city are seemingly riddled with potholes.

Marshall said the city commission must step up on infrastructure and take its oversight role over OMU more seriously.

“All of our problems are fixable, as long as we choose leaders who are strong enough to stand up for what is right,” he said. “We can make Owensboro an even more amazing community, but it will take a change downtown. That change should start with me.”

and more. He said messaging as simple as the dates of upcoming meetings or city discussions are an important factor in local government.

But work on the budget is necessar y, too. Fiscal responsibility, he said, is his No. 1 priority.

“If I’m your choice for city commissioner, just remember I work for you as a member of the community and no one else,” he said. “... No one individual class is better than the other, and all deser ve respect and equality without prejudice or bias.”

He said he, too, envisions public support for economic development on Owensboro’s west side. Partnering with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, he said, would be a great way to get the word out about what the city has to offer. He recommended marketing information packets to companies nationwide.

McCoy has also said he supports a requirement that city properties recycle, and he said he would like to encourage the business community to follow suit. It’s both an environmentally and economically smart decision, he said.

“I’m an individual that will do my best to hear all sides of a discussion before making any decisions that affect ever yone,” he said. “I’m a person that will work for all citizens of Owensboro without discrimination.”

JEFF SANFORD

After an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2016, former Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Sanford is eyeing another shot at the dais. With his experience, he said he wants to bring a positive message back to the community. That message is geared toward seeking out new changes to economic development structures and how they implement a skilled labor task force.

A local real estate agent, Sanford has six years of experience on the city commission and 25 years working in executive business roles. He said he wants to use incentive packages, not unlike those the city deployed downtown and near Kentucky 54, to bring much-needed relief to the city’s west side. Sometimes, Sanford said, one of growth’s biggest inhibitors can be the government itself, which is JOSEPH MARTIN why he said he wants to ensure that It’s not his first time running for Owensboro streamlines the process office, but Joseph Martin says he needed to purchase blighted homes, remains as dedicated as he ever was invest in development projects and to addressing issues that can make big return properties onto the tax rolls. differences in people’s lives.

“We have areas on West Second Martin, who is a janitorial ser vices Street past the (tax increment financworker at Holiday Inn and Owensboro ing district) downtown that are dilapiHealth Regional Hospital, said he has dated,” he said. “We need to determine experience making tough decisions why they are stagnant and streamline and solving problems. In order to truly the process of stimulating growth. represent people, he said, it’s imporThat, tied with nicer homes, brings up tant to understand their day-to-day property values. Growth like that is a lives. You have to walk in their shoes cycle.” and have experience working with Sanford said he envisions them and for them and meeting their Owensboro becoming a mecca of needs. skilled trade. The products that are “I am 100 percent for accountability, already made here could spur interefficiency and transparency,” he said. est from suppliers, he said, if the “Also, I am honest, dependable and I city would play a role in incentivizwill be hard-working for the people.” ing it. The city commission, he said, Those are qualities he would look should pressure those agencies tasked for in a candidate, and he said voters with identifying opportunities. He said should expect the same. He is on a mis- the Greater Owensboro Economic sion, he said, to improve people’s lives Development Corp. leaves certain perand public funds through economic sons or businesses out of the discusdevelopment. That said, he wants to be sion, failing to realize opportunities in sure that, as the city grows, it improves their own backyard. the quality of life for all citizens, not just “I have a past record of being fisa select few. Public safety is a top prior- cally conser vative,” he said. “(I have) ity of his, too, he said. experience being able to make deciThe city of Owensboro, Martin said, sions for the city under pressure.” is out of control. Despite efforts to

curtail stormwater-related flooding, it persists in certain areas, and roads are RICK SEARCY not built to the same standards that Success at City Hall depends on they are in other, larger metropolitan a person or people with three main areas. qualities, according to city commission At the end of the day, he said, he candidate Rick Searcy: unity, creativity has nothing to gain by being a city and experience. Searcy says he has all commissioner, which means he will lis- three. ten to the voters who elected him. He His experience working with some will be, as he put it, the “Owensboro of Owensboro’s most active and prized watchdog.” nonprofit organizations has given him “Two things, I will always ask — can the skills needed to parse differences we afford it, and do we need it? You and bridge people within government, have a right to know what goes on in he said. Not-for-profit organizations your city,” he said. “I support working often have to operate on razor-thin families, fire and police departments budgets, and Searcy said he’s helped and small businesses, too. I am also for craft them from both the executive and solar energy.” board-level sides.

“I am running because I want to do my part to help make this a better MARK MCCOY city,” he said, “a better city for our Mark McCoy wants to put his skills children that’s not loaded with debt, so as a health care professional and a when they become adults they won’t leader in the National Guard to work be faced with the same problems that on Owensboro’s city commission. we have today.”

Strong leadership is needed, he said, That’s why he said fiscal responsito bridge divides and identify common bility tops his list of priorities. Growth, ground. he added, should always be a focus, Perhaps most importantly, howbecause anything less is a step backever, he has simply been a taxpayer in ward for the community, but it must be Owensboro for 14 years, and that, he done carefully. Public safety, he said, is said, has illustrated to him the need to a fundamental purpose of local governensure all voices are heard regarding ment. First responders put their lives the community and how it is managed. on the line, and he said he would be Part of McCoy’s platform encourag- committed to ensuring that agencies es government transparency through remain strong and well-funded. an organized effort to open communiFinally, Searcy said he is concerned cation with citizens through the news- about the condition of the city’s road paper, online or billboard advertising and utility infrastructure. He pledged

to work diligently to make sure that the city develops and implements plans that will address the needs it has now and well into the future. “... I believe in ser vant leadership,” he said. “I have spent my entire adult life learning about my community and finding ways to give back. My career path has allowed me to use my education and skills for the benefit of many in the community that have found themselves in difficult situations. This has been extremely rewarding and a way to be a positive difference for Owensboro. As a city commissioner, I am committed to making Owensboro a safe and prosperous community.”

Election Guide 11

our vision concerning the future of Owensboro,” he said. “I am willing to make the tough decisions in order for us to have a bright future. Make the right decision, at the right time for the right reason.”

PAM SMITH-WRIGHT

Commissioner Pam Smith-Wright wants to extend her eight-year stint on the city commission, because, she said, she brings a different view. She cares deeply for the city she has lived in all her life, she said, and wants to keep it on the road to progress.

In 2010, Smith-Wright was elected Owensboro’s first female mayor protem. After watching government from afar, she said, she learned a lot in her CHARLIE SHELTON When Charlie Shelton thinks about four terms, and that experience is the future of Owensboro, it’s with his unmatched on this November’s ticket.

6-year-old son Owen in mind. He says But Smith-Wright, who is a cosmetolohe wants to ensure Owensboro has a gist and caterer, also has more than bright future so Owen will be proud to 40 years of small business ownership call it home — not because it’s where experience. The combination of pubhe grew up, but because it’s a wonderlic- and private-sector experience has ful place to live. ser ved her well, she said, in underHis campaign for city commisstanding the complexities of local govsioner is about being the voice for that ernment issues. vision, one in which all people in and “I feel my record speaks for itself,” around the city can be heard and can she said. “I was voted in as a commiswork together to develop a government sioner when downtown was boarded that works for them. up, and, during my time at City Hall, Shelton has a range of experience liv- we have revitalized our downtown riving, working and visiting places inside erfront, the west end (Mechanicsville), and outside the countr y, and that’s midtown (Old Germantown), added (at contributed to his world view. He works least) two new hotels, a new parking as a certified public accountant, but he garage, convention center and more. has farmed, worked in construction and We became an All-American City, even performed risk analyses for Big we have the No. 1 playground in the Rivers Electric Corp., where he oversaw world. New businesses are opening at the utility’s strategic plan. a faster rate than ever.”

“In short, I’ve done ever ything from If re-elected, she said she wants shoveling coal as a member of the to find ways to communicate with (International Brotherhood of Electrical companies and industries to locate in Workers) at TVA to working on budgets Owensboro. That’s not an easy fix, but and financial plans as a CPA,” he said. she said she is committed to doing the His experience has shown that stralong, hard work. Plus, she said she tegic planning is important, even for wants Owensboro to pay close attenelected government bodies. He said he tion to its neighbors and build healthy believes the city commission should act outside influences from which leaders swiftly to shift any and all general fund can pick and choose what works and savings directly into capital reser ve what doesn’t. As always, she added, funds or debt shrinking funds in order better-paying jobs remains a critical to mitigate future tax or rate increaspart of her focus. es. City government, he said, can do “I am approachable and always better than it has. It’s critical that the respectful of others and their opincity commission return to the basics ions,” she said. “Voters can distinguish and remember the core ser vices it’s me by me being the only woman on the bound to provide, like police and fire ballot with grey hair. I would greatly protection, ensuring clean water and appreciate your support on Nov. 6. I providing safe trash and sewer sanitaam No. 9 on the ballot.” tion ser vices.

“I am running to be your voice for SEE COMMISSION/PAGE 12

MY PLEDGE IS TO WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO MAKE OWENSBORO BETTER THAN IT WAS YESTERDAY AND BETTER TOMORROW THAN IT IS TODAY. As your City Commissioner I will work to: • Continue our path of progress through maximizing the use of our resources • Continue to seek economic partners within our community for Public Private Partnerships.

• Continue to support our Police, Firefighters and First Responder to insure a safe and healthy community.

• Collaborate with our colleges, school systems and major employers and develop a targeted recruitment plan to attract and retain qualified employees.

• Continue with development of infrastructure in all corridors while remaining finacially responsible to taxpayers

“Only as a team can we make changes and progress forward.”

Paid for by Jay Velotta for City Commissioner

12 Election Guide MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

COMMISSION

the city. Velotta said he is in touch with Owensboro and the people that make it such a wonderful place to live, work and play.

FROM PAGE 11 He promises continued support for

police and fire departments as well as all first responders. Updated technology JAY VELOTTA and equipment must be made available Reflecting on his first term as a so they may do their jobs and continue city commissioner, Jay Velotta said he providing the unparalleled protection believes he has a good understanding of the role. He is seeking the opportunity to Owensboro offers. But the city also plays not only mark the completion of ongoing an enormous role in infrastructure development, and Velotta said that must be balprojects but to take on new ones for the anced with essential services to remain benefit of all Owensboroans. fiscally responsible. Low or non-performHe said he’s all too aware what tough ing assets should be liquidated or moved decisions he and others made over the to the private sector to limit burdens and last two years meant to the community. It’s never easy to tackle something like develop future opportunities. That takes continued work on the budget, satisfying deficit spending, but it’s necessary and pension costs and supporting organizatakes true leadership. tions fighting Kentucky’s opioid crisis.

“The current commission has made “I have been visible and accessible some tough decisions and those deciand will continue to do so,” he said. “I am sions impact the entire community,” he honored to serve this community and said. “Citizens need a voice and I feel I pledge to continue to work hard to make am that voice of reason.”

Owensboro better than we were and betHis career in real estate has put him before quasi-governmental agencies on a ter tomorrow than we are today.” near-daily basis, and he has taken on the Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, initiative to involve himself with numerous boards, agencies and nonprofit orga- aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @austinrramsey nizations that shape life in and around