David Voegele, County Judge/Executive-Elect

Oldham County Republicans certainly got it right on May 18th in choosing our next county government leader.

Before moving forward with commentary, let me just say two things:

1 - It's unfortunate that the two-party system is severely slanted in the GOP's favor in Oldham County. That's not a knock by any means towards Mr. Voegele. He ran and won decidedly in the Republican Primary, and he deserves everyone's support as he moves from his Magistrate's seat to the Judge/Executive's seat come January 1, 2011. While he faced off against former Magistrate and Deputy County Judge/Executive Paula Gish in the primary, and handed her and her backers a resounding defeat, it would still be in the best interests of all residents to have a choice come November. Be that as it may, Mr. Voegele took his message and clear vision to the voters, and they responded overwhelmingly to his campaign. And something tells me that if they could have, many Democrats would have voted for him too (including this scribe). It is my hope that the Oldham County Democratic Party will regroup, rebuild and field a full slate of candidates in ALL races come 2014. The two-party system has a purpose, and ALL registered voters need a choice in both primary and general elections.

2 - The second point is that from this writing forward, The Observer will recognize Mr. Voegele as our County Judge/Executive-Elect. This is due to the fact that no Democrat filed to run in the Primary (therefore he faces no ballot competition in November), and it's highly unlikely that any person ("Tea Party" folks included) in this county could mount a write-in campaign that would muster enough votes to win come November. That's called reality folks.

On to the results...

Mr. Voegele ran a clean campaign, spoke at length about his vision for our county, took no campaign money from developers, raised about 1/4 the money that Paula Gish raised, worked tirelessly to get his message out, talked and listened to residents (not just voters) and let people know that he would be a voice for ALL people of Oldham County, not just the "select" few.

He actually had substance to his ideas and visions, not just mere "talking points" and had very effective and creative campaign signs throughout the county. He also proved beyond a shadow of a doubt in his first 3-1/2 years on Fiscal Court that he's not afraid to ask the real questions that need to be addressed, press for answers and sometimes in a subtle way, and sometimes maybe not, buck the "good ol' boy" system that has been in place for far too long. How refreshing to see a true public servant.

Paula Gish on the other hand, gladly took money from developers, other county office holders and employees, and of course, had the endorsement of outgoing Judge/Executive Duane Murner. Didn't work out too well for her, did it ? Plus, having been found in the 11th hour it seems, to be in violation of the Federal Hatch Act, she waited until the last possible minute to resign as Deputy County Judge/Executive (effect last Friday, May 14th) and approved by Fiscal Court on Primary Election Day, May 18th. The media coverage http://http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100510/NEWS01/5100351/-1/ZONE09/Oldham+deputy+county-judge+resigns+so+she+can+keep+running+for+the+top+job of this surely left a "bad taste" in the mouths of many voters and they showed it at the polls. "End runs" for the "elite" are not acceptable these days, and voters let her know it. Murner and Gish knew the Federal Hatch Act situation was similar to the one already decided in Kenton County, yet chose to drag it out and wait on a ruling from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. The results could also be seen as a rebuff to the current administration and their policies and perhaps her lackluster campaign.

More to come soon on Gish's future with Oldham County government...

Mr. Voegele deserves his win and more. He now deserves all of our support, as it is his task, come January, to lead this sometimes troubled county forward. Like any other elected official, he deserves a fair amount of time once he assumes office to begin to put his vision into place. Not everyone will always agree with him, and that's healthy...but he does deserve our respect for his position and time to prove his worth as our next County Judge/Executive.

It will be interesting to watch and see now, how much of an "olive branch" will be offered to him by the current administration and his fellow Magistrates. Mr. Voegele's election has brought hope to our county once again. Hope for truly open, honest and transparent government. Hope for dealing with the fiasco that is called "Oldham Reserve". Hope for our roads, green space, open areas, parks and controlled development. Hope for holding the line on the county budget and expenses, fiscal responsibility with our tax dollars and most of all, maintaining and improving our quality of life, which was one his campaign themes.

Congratulations to Judge/Executive-Elect David Voegele...your hard work, clear vision and hope for our county paid off. You took your message to the people, they listened, and they gave you a clear mandate to lead our county forward come January.

Job well done.

Change IS Coming !

My original slogan in the creation of this blogsite was and still is...

CHANGE IS COMING !

And for the most part, yesterday in the Primary Elections, Oldham Countians got it right !

Comments are forthcoming on those elected, defeated (put out to pasture perhaps), who to watch and what we can hopefully look forward to in the future.

The Observer will be commenting on each individual race, and offering some suggestions for what needs to take place in the next couple of weeks and in the future.

Congratulations people, for the most part, you have prevailed, and now we all have something to look forward to.

CHANGE IS COMING !

Did YOU Vote Today ?

That is the question...did YOU vote today ?

How many people complain about things, but never vote ?

How many of you think your vote counts ?

How many of you took the time to cast your vote(s) today ?

How many of you thank God that we live in a country where we can have a say in who our elected leaders are ?

When people complain to me about political/government issues, the first thing I ask them is, do you vote ? If they say no, then their concerns fall on deaf ears.

I voted today.

I excercised my right.

My vote counts too.

So does yours.

If you failed to vote today, then by all means, make sure you vote in November, or register to vote.

Make your voice heard too.

Voting matters.

The Primary Wins Should Go To...

So, I was asked for my predictions on tomorrow's Primary Elections.

Not that my opinion matters to anyone or that this site could possibly influence most in their voter choices, but I will comment as follows on the various races:

OLDHAM COUNTY JUDGE/EXECUTIVE

The obvious choice is current 2nd District Magistrate DAVID VOEGELE-R.

A new vision, a listener, a voice for everyone, ethical and conservative with our tax dollars...that is Mr. Voegele. He is what this county needs to move us forward.

Paula Gish-R is NOT the person to lead this county forward at such a critical time.
Electing her would simply be rubber-stamping the status quo...and Oldham County needs fresh ideas and leadership...not a contuniuation of the past and present.

MAGISTRATE - District 1
STEVE CHURCH-R should be given a second term.

MAGISTRATE - District 2
Uncontested race
WAYNE THEISS-R wins with no opposition to fill Mr. Voegele's seat come January.

MAGISTRATE - District 3
TIMOTHY SMITH-D should be given the opportunity to serve come November.
The current occupant, Bob Leslie-R, speaks little and offers nothing new lately to voters. This is one race where change could be a good thing.
NOTE: I have ammended my thoughts on this race, as I erred yesterday in saying that Magistrate Leslie had voted for various tax and fee increases. The Observer will admit when he is wrong, and I humbly apologize to Mr. Leslie. I had various sources of information and simply took from the wrong set of notes/sources when commenting originally. I applaud the reader who commented to me and pointed out my mistake. While I publish all comments (unlike another particular blogger), and have only found reason to censor a very select few, I am not publishing the comments in this case, since they came from an "Annonymous" reader. Let the record show that I have corrected my mistake and have apologized publicly.

MAGISTRATE - District 4
STEVE GREENWELL-R should be returned for a third term.

MAGISTRATE - District 5
IVA DAVIS-R wins over "assault boy" J.D. Sparks-R.
No real choice here, Davis is lackluster at best, votes for every tax and fee increase, and Sparks, well, people that plead guilty to even misdemeanor assault charges have no business serving on our Fiscal Court.

MAGISTRATE - District 6
KEVIN ELDRIDGE-R is the obvious choice over current incumbent and ticket seller Scott Davis-R. Davis now has enough troubles to keep him preoccupied for some time, and has been exposed for what he really is. Voters in the 6th District should send Davis packing, back to his "luxury" condo in Indiana ! Eldridge should face RICK GARLOCK-D in November.

MAGISTRATE - District 7
BOB DYE-R should end the political career of Rick Rash-R, thanks to the voters of the 7th District. Enough is enough already of this self-proclaimed "marrying magistrate" who says "My work improves life in Oldham County". (The Courier-Journal, 2010 Primary Voter Guide, 5-16-10) Yes, Rash also has voted for every tax and fee increase, thinks it's funny to tell jokes during meetings, and has apparently forgotten what it really means to serve ALL of the people in Oldham County, not just the developers and those who contribute to his campaigns. Dye should face SHERI BETZ-D in November.

MAGISTRATE - District 8
MICHAEL LOGSDON-R should also end the political career (thanks to the voters) of another long serving member of Fiscal Court, Bob Deibel, Jr.-R. A fresh face is sorely needed on Fiscal Court to represent this district. Mr. Logsdon actually was out campaigning this past weekend, walking door to door, talking and listening to voters about their concerns. Thank you for your many years of service Mr. Deibel, but change in this district is needed...fresh ideas, enthusiasm and most of all, knowing when to step aside and let others carry the torch forward.

COUNTY ATTORNEY
JOHN FENDLEY-R, the incumbent faces Galen Clark-R to see who goes up against STUART ULFERTS-D in November. Fendley will most likely win, and I'll make my November choice laster in the year.

COUNTY CLERK
Easy call here, former County Clerk GENA HARRISON-R should defeat her old co-worker and current clerk Julie Barr-R. Change is needed in the Clerk's office.

COUNTY JAILER
Voters should return incumbent MIKE SIMPSON-R to serve another term over challenger David Harper-R. Mr. Simpson has served this county well for many years.

COUNTY SHERIFF - Incumbent STEVE SPARROW-R
COUNTY CORONER - Incumbent BRETT DONNER-R
COUNTY SURVEYOR - Incumbent DAVID GARBER-R
are all unfortunately, unopposed in the Primary and as of now, in November.

COUNTY P.V.A.
J. ALBERT HARRISON-R should end the nepotism practices and arrogance of incumbent Ron Winters-R. Whether that happens remains to be seen, and there is no current opposition in November. While current PVA Winters went to bat and prevailed for hiring family, what does that really say about professionalism in an elected office ?

So, there you go, for those inquiring minds. My thoughts and comments on this year's Primary Elections. I hope and pray that four years from now, that every single race in Oldham County sets up for a contested November race in 2014. It's time for the Republican chokehold on Oldham County government to come to an end. There is a reason we have a two-party system (alledged tea baggers notwithstanding)...to give voters a choice in their representation. So, for many of us, we'll have to apparently tough it out for another four years.

Regardless of your views, do the right thing tomorrow if you're a registered voter...GO VOTE !
Your vote matters.
It's your chance to have an input in your government.
Make your voice heard.
If you don't vote, then don't bitch about the state of affairs in your community, state or country.
Do your homework, study the candidates and issues...and GO VOTE !

God bless Oldham County, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and this great country of ours, the United States of America !

GO VOTE !

DAVID VOEGELE for County Judge/Executive

The choice is clear for tomorrow's Primary Election in Oldham County in the race for County Judge/Executive:

DAVID VOEGELE !

The current 2nd District Magistrate is far and above the ONLY choice to lead our county into the future.

http://http://oldhamcountyusa.com/index.htm

Now, just to be clear to everyone:

In the past, I have been accused of setting up this blogsite to promote David Voegele, and it was even stated that he was behind this site. Nothing could have been further from the truth !

First of all, I am a proud registered Democrat and can't even vote for him until November.

Secondly, it has been alledged in the past that we knew each other. Again, not true.

About three weeks ago, I was traveling down Highway 146 back into Crestwood, and happened to see Mr. Voegele sitting on the side of the road in his truck, with campaign signs promoting his race. I pulled over, stopped my vehicle and walked over to him to introduce myself as an Oldham County resident and voter. (I surely hadn't seen Paula Gish out on the roadsides campaigning in my travels across the county.)

He spent about a half hour talking with me about various topics and issues, and when we parted ways, I became even more convinced that he is the ONLY choice to lead Oldham County into the next four years.

Let me be clear, that meeting was our first encounter of any kind. And yes, for the inquiring minds, I did reveal myself as "The Oldham Observer" to him late into our friendly conversation.

How nice that he took the time to listen to me, before the "reveal", answered my questions, and all the time, he knew upfront that I am a registered Democrat and couldn't even vote for him until November.

We discussed other topics as well, outside the scope of the issues, and I found Mr. Voegele to be a man I would feel very confident in leading our county and moving things forward. It's also nice to know that he has steadfastly refused any campaign contributions from developers.

Mr. Voegele has riled some folks up over the past 3-1/2 years on Fiscal Court, and rightfully so. He has spoken time and time again for the "regular" people of Oldham County, opposed tax and fee increases on us all, and asked the tough questions, even in the face of being outnumbered by the "old school" Republicans on Fiscal Court. His attitude and demeanor bode well for our future.

He is highly qualified to lead our county...and here's hoping that tomorrow, the Republicans in this county will make the right choice, and move Mr. Voegele from his seat on one far end of the courtroom to the center seat.

DAVID VOEGELE for OLDHAM COUNTY JUDGE/EXECUTIVE !

I've said all along that "Change is Coming"...let's hope that it begins with tomorrow's election results !

PAULA GISH...The Hatch Act

PAULA GISH, the Oldham County Deputy Judge/Executive until she resigned effective last Friday, still wants your vote tomorrow (May 18th) in her Republican primary race for Oldham County Judge/Executive against current Magistrate David Voegele.

What nerve !

Once again, without all the details being rehashed here, you may read for yourself in the links below:

From The Oldham Era - May 13, 2010 Edition
http://http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?041+article+News+20100513102741041041001
From The Courier-Journal - May 10, 2010
http://http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100510/NEWS01/5100351/-1/ZONE09/Oldham+deputy+county-judge+resigns+so+she+can+keep+running+for+the+top+job

Let's just cut to the chase here...knowing the same situation was brought up and ruled on in Kenton County earlier this year, Gish should have resigned months ago from her position, or withdrawn from the race. You can't have it both ways.

This in NOT the kind of "leadership" we need to move Oldham County forward.
Tomorrow, our Fiscal Court will be presented her resignation and will be asked to approve it.
Assuming she loses the primary, how fast do you think she'll be rehired ?
Anyone want to speculate if she's even cleaned out her office/desk and turned in her keys and county ID ?

Sounds like a power grab to me...keep earning a salary and benefits (that we pay for) while waiting on a ruling that you knew was going to come down against you. So much for for winning some silly "Best County Official" contest recently. A mere popularity contest, much as it is when running to be the President of a school's P.T.A. !

Oh yes, and Paula, you've NOT been the deputy judge/executive for the past four years as you claim on your campaign materials. Why, it hasn't even been 3-1/2 years yet that you've held the job. If you can't be honest in your advertisements, how can we expect total honesty in the future ?

Let's hope that the voters in Oldham County recognize that voting for Paula Gish is asking for a continuation of "business as usual" in Oldham County government.

SCOTT DAVIS...Got Tickets ?

Current 6th District Magistrate SCOTT DAVIS:

Suddenly nowhere to be found at recent Fiscal Court meetings, oh my !

Without going into all the details, since he's been all over the news lately, and there are plenty of reliable news sources (various links below) to learn the backstory here, let's just state the obvious:

Scott "Ticket Broker" Davis is not what he has made himself out to be to anyone in Oldham County. He has (or was) once again campaigning on his promoting "open and transparent" government...and now we all know he is/was talking/campaigning out of both sides of his mouth.

In the special section "A Guide to the Polls" published in April by The Oldham Era, he submitted the following information:

When asked for his employment history, he replied: "chemical engineer and consultant".

How convenient that he left out that he is (or was) a ticket scalper/reseller for sporting events. Yes, you're a ticket scalper when you set up shop in Indiana to resell tickets to avoid the practice in Kentucky, where such activity is illegal ! So, he failed to divulge ALL of his sources of income to us, and he operates websites that he has gone to great lengths to hide his ownership of. Wonder how long it will take the revenue departments of Indiana and Kentucky, as well as the Internal Revenue Service to come knocking at his door ? Scott Davis is NOT what he appears to be, and no "cheerleader" of his can change the facts or spin this any other way. If you want to resell tickets, fine. Do it legally, with integrity and admit to us all that you do.

When asked the following question, "What accomplishments are you most proud of during your term in office?" he began his reply with "Promoting an environment of open and transparent government."

Well, now we ALL know that he practices the "do as I say" attitude and "not what I do" when it comes to his politics. He has, regardless of the outcome of his current "ticket selling" messes, brought this all on himself and now he needs to do the right thing...resign from Fiscal Court immediately ! He goes out and hires Thomas Clay, a top criminal attorney in Louisville, files a lawsuit against a member of the U of L basketball coaching staff (he loves filing lawsuits, doesn't he?), and his political advertisements have disappeared over the last two weeks in both The Oldham Era and The Courier-Journal "Neighborhoods" sections. Maybe this is a sign that he recognizes the handwriting on the wall ?

Taken from the various stories, he alledgedly owns a luxury condo at The Harbours in Jeffersonville, IN, owns a $3 million dollar company, yet had his Oldham County home in foreclosure last year ? Is this really the kind of person you want to give another four years to on Oldham County Fiscal Court ? I think not.

Oh my, what will his "cheerleaders" / "defenders" do now ?

His "15 Minutes of Fame" (or Shame) are up !

The Observer sees Kevin Eldridge winning this primary contest May 18th in a potential landslide.

LINKS:
The most recent article from The Oldham Era - May 13, 2010 Edition
http://http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?041+article+News+20100513102946041041001
From The Courier-Journal - May 6, 2010
http://http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100506/BUSINESS/5060352/-1/ZONE09/Oldham+magistrate+implicated+in+missing+Derby+tickets
From The Courier-Journal - May 7, 2010
http://http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20100507/NEWS01/5070370/-1/ZONE09/Broker+sues+Louisville+assistant+basketball+coach+over+Kentucky+Derby+2010+tickets+