FWIW, who LN is voting for

[leatherneck]

A few years back, I posted who I intended to vote for in local races. Several BGPers stated that they appreciated my input, particularly on the local races since they did not follow local politics as closely as I did. Recently one of those BGPers asked me to do it again. So here goes.

 

But first, my "credentials" if you will. I've followed and been involved in local government for quite some time. Plus, I've been involved on boards and in organizations impacted by and impacting local government. I was on the Tri Ed Board for two terms; I was on the Airport Board; I was the President of the NKU Foundation Properties corporation; I was on Ft. Thomas's Board of Adjustment and then its City Council; I'm on the Board of the Campbell County Leadership Action Group and have served as its President; past co-chair of the NKU Technology Triangle committee; and I'm on the SD1 Board. Suffice it to say, I'm pretty snapped in to local government matters, particularly in Campbell County.

 

1. Pendery or Sell. I'll discuss this race the most because it is the most important to Campbell County local government. Perhaps if I didn't have the above experience and simply relied on what Sell has stated in his mailers and press releases, I might be inclined to consider voting for Sell. But I won't. I am voting for Pendery for Judge Executive. Admittedly, I've been a supporter of Pendery since we served on Ft. Thomas City Council together. But frankly, I wouldn't have continued to Pendery if I didn't think he was doing a good job. Sell has disappointed me with some of his campaign claims. He has criticized me (without mentioning my name) for my actions on the SD1 Board. Fair criticism is... well, fair. I don't think Sell's criticism has been fair. What bothers me is that he never once has attended a SD1 Board meeting that I'm aware of to express his thoughts on the issues being discussed, yet criticized decisions on those issues. Instead of trying to help mold the right decision; he sat back and did nothing and now wants to criticize those decisions. That behavior bothers me. He criticized actions of SD1 without digging into the facts. He criticized my position on issues without first calling me and asking why I was supporting the positions I had taken (and yes Sell knows who I am and where he could contact me). He has stated that Pendery has been, in my words, a Johnny come lately, on the heroin issue. That is simply not true. Pendery and the CC fiscal court, before a lot of others finally realized the dangers of the heroin problem, worked with the Highlands Heights police department to address the spread of heroin in Campbell County years ago. The Highlands Heights police dept asked Pendery and the fiscal court to provide funding of the Highlands Heights police department's undercover buys from dealers and for other tools to stop the spread of heroin. Understandably, it was necessary at the time to keep that financial support quiet. Pendery and the fiscal court provided that funding and kept it quiet which helped make the Highland Heights police department's undercover operations successful. Pendery has been an out front leader working on attacking the heroin problem for years, taking a regional approach because heroin is a regional problem. Yet Sell would have you believe that Pendery has only recently focused on the heroin problem, and that is definitely not true. Bottom line: Sell is surprisingly (and disappointingly) throwing campaign rhetoric against the wall and hoping it will stick for some un-informed voters. Pendery on the other hand has done a great job moving Campbell County forward. Per capita income in Campbell County has caught up with Kenton County's. It's behind Boone, but I believe almost every county in Ky is behind Boone's. And we are not as behind Boone as Sell would have you believe. Pendery has indeed taken a regional approach as Sell likes to slam Pendery for doing. But that regionalistic approach has been very good for Campbell County and good for northern Kentucky as a whole. A large percentage of Campbell County residents want more cooperation between govt units, to reduce taxes and improve services and efficiency; they want a regionalistic approach on certain issues. Pendery has taken that approach when it is good for Campbell County. Sell's criticism of Pendery for failing to bring more jobs into Campbell County and his criticism of Tri Ed is in a word, bogus. There are some very good reasons that a lot of jobs are ending up in Boone County, like I-75 running through it, plenty of flat developable land, proximity to the Airport, the presence of ready to build sites and vacant available buildings meeting the needs of prospective companies wanting to move to northern Kentucky, etc. Pendery not trying to get those jobs for Campbell County is not one of those reasons. As a former Tri Ed board member, l know that for a fact. Pendery has worked tirelessly with a former President and the current President of NKU to use NKY as a catalyst to bring high paying jobs to Campbell County. Heck, I was in a series of meetings with Pendery and Votruba when Votruba first became President of NKU. Pendery's message: NKU has to do more as a job attractor the way Boone County has used the airport to bring jobs. I am convinced that it was Pendery's leadership that convinced NKU to work with Campbell County to bring jobs to Campbell County. Have I agreed with every decision Pendery has made? No I have not. But rather than focus on those few that I disagree with, I look at his entire body of work and see it very favorably. I think back to where we were before he became J/E and I see vast improvement. I see a budget surplus instead of a deficit. And I don't see that suprplus coming on the backs of the taxpayers either. I see huge improvement in per capita income. I see a county being very careful in its spending (the Campbell County fiscal court spends less per resident than any other full service govt unit in northern Kentucky which helps keep taxes low and is indicative of thoughtful, efficient spending); yet the level of services provided is, all in all, very high. I see the building moratorium around Alexandria lifted as a result in large part to Pendery pushing SD1 to get the Eastern Region Wastewater Treatment Plant built ahead of schedule. I see a county poised for huge job growth as the Health Innovation Center at NKU is built and opened, as Manhatton Harbor moves forward and as Ovations comes out of the ground as the economy improves. And I see a Judge Executive having the political courage to support much needed rate increases at SD1 and the possibility of tolls to rebuild Brent Spence. Even if I disagree with those positions, I respect an elected official willing to take stands that may cost him re-election. That type of political courage is rare and you can trust me. I've had many a elected official quietly tell me that the support SD1 rate increases because they know it is necessary and tell me that they support tolls but want come out and make that support public because it might cost them re-election. Pendery is not that kind of person. He is not a politician; he is truly an elected official. If Sell was completely honest with the voters, he'd tell them that the median income was $41,903 in Campbell County, just $320 behind Kenton, and that Campbell County has closed that cap considerably since Pendery became J/E; he tell the voters that Campbell County has fewer people living in poverty, fewer people without medical insurance, and fewer people eligible for medicaid than Kenton County; he'd tell the voters that Campbell County leads Kenton County in ACT scores for math, english, read and science; he tell the voters that Campbell County leads Kenton in the percentage of graduate and professional degrees; and he'd tell the voters that a whole lot of those accomplishments have come under Pendery's leadership. But Kevin hasn't and won't tell the voters that; rather he'll try to convince the voters that Campbell County is lagging way behind Kenton and Boone County and matters are getting worse, which simply is not true. Why would Sell do that? Because he's more interested in getting votes and if he told the whole truth, he'd know that the voters would clearly realize that the County has progressed extremely well during Pendery's tenure and Sell wouldn't have a chance of winning. Frankly, Sell's campaign of half truths; non-truths and omission of relevant facts ticks me off. In a no brainer, I'm voting for Pendery.

 

2. Painter vs Otto; Garrett vs Coleman. I'm voting for Painter and Garrett as County Commissioners. I know Gail Otto. Very nice lady. But I see little in her background that convinces me she will be able to help move Campbell County forward. Painter on the other hand, after getting elected in 2010 in the Tea Party revolt, has worked with and helped Pendery move Campell County forward. Same goes with Garrett. Both are strong fiscal conservatives, but have not let blind, rigid ideology affect their votes or decisions. Frankly, they have grown nicely into their positions of leadership. Neither one has put self-promotion or their desire to make headlines every day ahead of doing the right thing. I was concerned when they first got elected that they would constantly be grand standing, but they have not. Coleman, while a very good former football coach, has fallen into the same campaign trap that Sell has fallen into in my opinion. A campaign full of half truths and distortion of the truth to pander for votes. I have friends who know Coleman who say he is a good man and I accept that, but I simply do not like politicians who campaign the way Coleman has campaigned. I didn't vote for either Painter or Garrett back in 2010 out of concerns of their connections to people I consider extremist tea partiers; but I'll vote for both of them tomorrow because they have proven to me that they can be true to their strong fiscal conservative beliefs but be open minded.

 

3. Jansen vs Kidwell. Kidwell has done some good things as Sheriff. But his ego really concerns me and I'm greatly disappointed in some of his political actions. I'm not into good ole boy, back room politics and in my opinion, he clearly is in my opinion. He grossly distorted his law enforcement experience in an effort to combat Jansen's proven record of real law enforcement experience. Admittedly, much of the Sheriff's responsibilities is administrative; not law enforcement. But there is or can be a law enforcement aspect. Which is probably the reason Kidwell distorted his law enforcement experience and the reason that many police organizations in Campbell County have endorsed Jansen. Furthermore, having known Jansen for quite some time, I am convinced he will handle the administrative functions with ease and will run the dept in a very professional manner. I'm voting for Jansen.

 

4. Daley vs Guidugli. As mentioned in another thread, Daley has the experience, background, disposition and training to continue to serve as the Jailer. No disrespect to Guidugli, whom is a dyed in the wool Bluebird fan and a fun guy to talk to, but in my opinion Guidugli simply does not have the needed experience, background, disposition and training to be Jailer. Sorry Dave, but I'll vote for Daley.

 

5. Braun vs Bauwens. Also as mentioned in another thread, I believe that Braun has done a very good job as the PVA. As someone that deals with the PVA's office on a pretty regular basis and after talking to other attorneys and real estate folks who also deal with the PVA office, I can state that Braun has done a very good job as the PVA. I'll be voting for Braun.

 

6. Luersen vs Stormer. Honestly, I don't know either of these folks well. But people who I trust tell me that Luersen is the guy for the job. I wish I had been able to dig more into these two candidates. I'll probably vote for Luersen.

 

7. Warden vs Arthur. A somewhat, in my opinion, meaningless position in Campbell County. I'll vote for Warden for Constable.

 

8. Schroder vs Voelker vs Sheldon. I'm voting for Schroder for State Senator. I've gotten to know Schroder a little bit. Very bright young man. A conservative but I don't believe he is beholden to extreme party politics. That concerns me with Voelker and Sheldon. I want someone in Frankfort that is conservative but is not so rigid in his decision making that he/she can't find Democrats willing to work with him or her. Governing is not hand to hand combat. Governing is leading and leadership requires the ability to convince those that disagree to follow. I think Schroder has that ability.

 

9. McConnell vs Bevin. Perhaps Bevin, if elected, would become a very good U.S. Senator. I don't know. I do know that McConnell has his warts. But much like Pendery, any elected official that has been in office for a long time, is going to have his blemishes. But overall, I think McConnell has been very good for Kentucky and very good for this Country. I'm voting for McConnell.

 

So there are my votes folks. If I've mis-stated anything, please correct it. I don't want to my post in anyway to be misleading to anyone; certainly not anyone that is going to vote.Take my thoughts for what they are worth. If you think I have the insight to make meaningful decisions, feel free to consider my thoughts as you determine who you will vote for and encourage all your friends, family and neighbors to do so also. If you disagree with all or some of my votes, I certainly respect that disagreement. I've been wrong before (I actually voted for Jimmy Carter) and I'll be wrong again. But please take the remaining 24 hours to dig into the candidates and to vote tomorrow. Too much is riding on the future of this County and this Country to not vote. Many, many people have given their lives for you to have the freedom to vote. Show your respect and appreciation of their sacrifices by voting tomorrow.

 

LN

[hidinout]

Until you give more detailed reasoning I refuse to take you seriously -- obviously JK -- well done LN .

[leatherneck]

Until you give more detailed reasoning I refuse to take you seriously -- obviously JK -- well done LN .

 

Thanks. And I apologize everyone for the typos. I was in a rush when I typed that post as I had something that had to get out for a client this morning. But I thought it important to make the post as early in the day as possible. Too late now to edit. Again, my apologies for the typos.

[jericho]

Could you give me a little more info?

Haha

[theguru]

Great info, thanks LN!

[Bert]

Thanks. And I apologize everyone for the typos. I was in a rush when I typed that post as I had something that had to get out for a client this morning. But I thought it important to make the post as early in the day as possible. Too late now to edit. Again, my apologies for the typos.

 

After the primaries are over, I hope you will provide a similar commentary/analysis on the Senate Race. I know almost nothing of Allison Lundergan Grimes. For whatever reason she has been somewhat quiet on her views so you thoughts are always appreciated.

[jericho]

Daley vs Guidugli

 

Is this Ben and Genos dad?

[lawildcat]

Daley vs Guidugli

 

Is this Ben and Genos dad?

 

 

Yes

[lawildcat]

Dave Guidugli will be at the Alexandria LaRosa's tonight from 5 - 7pm with Buddy LaRosa. Even if you don't vote for Dave, if you have never met him, go ahead and stop by. To say he is a fun guy to talk to is putting it mildly! :banana:

[75center]

Hope everyone has paid attention if their polling place has changed.

[leatherneck]

Correction: in the part of my post discussing the J/E race, I said the median income in CC is $41,903; actually it was $41,903 15 years ago when Pendery became J/E. Now it is $53,580, having come up almost $12,000 during Pendery's tenure and now is only $320 behind Kenton County. My apologies to Pendery for understating the median income number.

[BirdBrain]

Leatherneck, thanks for your honesty and in-depth analysis. You know that we have agreed to disagree on certain of these races, but I'm good with that. Here are mine:

 

1) Pendery - Sell : I think it's time for Steve to go. Great guy, done some good things, and taken some credit for some things he didn't do as well. Sell lost by 169 or so last time. I think it's time to see what someone else can do at the helm. (I'm also for term limits in these positions and not a fan of the Tri-Ed outcomes so that likely comes in to play) To be honest, it's a bit of toss up, but Sell took the time to call me and we talked about his platform…Steve didn't return any call, email or anything to even discuss so my vote must not have mattered that much to him.

 

2) Painter - Otto: I'm not a fan of Painter, I think he has done little to nothing except toe the line the past 3.5 years. Having said that, I met Otto last night. She came out to our house just to meet us. Nice woman, I don't believe she has any business in the role, nor do I think she would add great deal of value. (She actually said that if I had run against Painter she would have worked on my campaign). Painter gets the nod.

 

Garrett - Coleman: Coach Coleman is a nice guy and has done some great things for kids during his lifetime. I think he aligned himself with the wrong group and essentially has no platform. I like Pete and he definitely is a 2nd amendment guy. Garrett gets the ink.

 

3) Jansen - Kidwell: I don't even know where to begin with the Kidwell issue, too many items to discuss. I also don't like my guys in uniform to be overweight or carry around yappy little dogs, but that's not the point. Met Jansen earlier this year. Great guy and lots of law enforcement experience. I want my sheriff to have that. Jansen gets the vote.

 

4) Daley - Guidigli - I don't disagree with anything you have said necessarily. I would say that Jim didn't know anything about running a jail either and that's why he hired Kellam. Say what you will, but his commander is not well respected in the law enforcement community and his record not that great in a jail setting. There are problem in the CC jail that need to be fixed and I don't see that getting done with Jim. I like Jim, a good friend, but…. having said all that Dave is one of the most gregarious guys you will ever meet. Came to the house twice to talk to us because we asked him to. I told him straight up last night that his biggest issue will be his ability to manage PR (if elected). He has some good ideas on what could be changed in the CC jail, and intends to put good people around him. I'm willing to roll the dice with Guidugli for a change…if nothing else a fresh look. Guidugli gets the vote…probably lesser of two evils.

 

5) Braun - Stormer - Braun gets it. I did question a few things about assessment and I believe they could save the county some money by not allowing their employees to drive county vehicles all over off duty. He does a good job.

 

6) Luerson - Stormer - Don't know a lot about Stormer, that' to his disadvantage. Leursen has the county experience hands down. I'm not a fan of lifetime public employee welfare, but he's probably the best best. Luerson it is.

 

7) Warden - Arthur: The constable position is ridiculous and should probably be done away with. Dave is a good guy, I've known him all my life. Having said that, he played the political piece of campaigning well, with the right people. Dave gets my vote to serve summons and castrate horses.

 

8) Shroder-Voelker-Sheldon: Voelker, too young and no experience to be in this position. Sheldon, no experience, unless you count her telling us time and time again her father was a General…I don't care. She scares me. Again, probably aligned with the fringe. Shroder is a good, honest guy…I speak from personal experience, it would not surprise anyone if I was against him. I think he will do great things in Frankfort. Shroder it is.

 

9) McConnel - Bevin : I think this has been a dead race for a while. I don't like Mitch's tactics of campaigning, he never really told us what he could do for us, just how messed up Bevin was, typical Mitch campaign. Our best shot to get something done at a much higher level is with Mitch. He gets the nod again….

 

It has been good discussion with you on some of the local races. I wish more people in CC would take an interest. When I run for Commissioner in 4 years I will be knocking on your door to tell you my platform, get your input and support.

 

Get out and vote everyone….if you don't vote, I don't want to hear you complain on Wednesday morning.

[lawildcat]

Well this might be a BGP first! Is this an official announcement, BirdBrain? Shall we alert the media of your candidacy?

[BirdBrain]

Well this might be a BGP first! Is this an official announcement, BirdBrain? Shall we alert the media of your candidacy?

 

Let's get through this cycle and see what it looks like….are you offering to manage the campaign ?

[lawildcat]

Let's get through this cycle and see what it looks like….are you offering to manage the campaign ?

 

I'd have to dig into your closet and check out those skeletons before I commit to anything...