In Kenton County, check out the 121st country thread, there is a huge debate going on about the building of a new county jail. Ralph Drees, building developer, is the county judge exec who made the decision on the location.

 

The opponents are organizing and in those plans, they have decided to protest AT the Drees offices and AT his home and AT Drees homes that are being sold.

 

Now, let's make the assumption I would make a good judge exec. WHY IN THE WORLD would I ever run knowing that people who disagree with my decisions are not going to ONLY protest at the local government (which is fine and should be allowed) but going to make this personal and come to MY HOME, MY BUSINESS. Going to this step, I think limits severely the pool of good candidates in the future.

I'm sure Independance has the tax base to support a whole new county goverment. Judge Exec., Jailer, Circuit Court Clerk, County Court Clerk and Sheriff as these are all constitutional offices they each county must have and the salary is set by the state but paid by the counties themselves. Constables and Magistrates are also mandatory but the county can choose to pay them nothing. I'm sure the fine people on Independance have thought this through and are willing to pay more in taxes to cover this additional expense.

Not sure what the law is but it seems to me anywhere other than the government offices could be seen as some kind of harrassment. Personal residences and places of business should be off limits as in my opinion it borders on intimidation. By all means organize and march on the JE's office if you want. I think that would get them a lot more support from the public.

I'm sure Independance has the tax base to support a whole new county goverment. Judge Exec., Jailer, Circuit Court Clerk, County Court Clerk and Sheriff as these are all constitutional offices they each county must have and the salary is set by the state but paid by the counties themselves. Constables and Magistrates are also mandatory but the county can choose to pay them nothing. I'm sure the fine people on Independance have thought this through and are willing to pay more in taxes to cover this additional expense.

I think you missed my point. If you were a good candidate and know that someone that disagrees with you on a decision you make, will come to your house and your business and picket you, would you be willing to put your business and family through that.

 

I think this sets a very dangerous precedent in which good candidates will say no. Similar to what is done to Presidential elections and the meat grinder it is.

No, I don't think you have the right to protest in non-public places like Drees offices and Mr. Drees home.

No, I don't think you have the right to protest in non-public places like Drees offices and Mr. Drees home.

They have announced in the KY Post that is part of their plans.

 

Here is an Enquirer article:

 

http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061221/NEWS0103/612210392

 

Before, during and after the 90-minute gathering, which resembled a pep rally, attendees were encouraged to volunteer to picket Kenton County commissioners' homes; sign petitions; donate to a "Stop the Jail Fund" to pay for yard signs, direct mailers and phone banks; and picket the Drees Co. headquarters and model homes.

 

There were other articles that specifically mentioned the Drees home and business.

I think you missed my point. If you were a good candidate and know that someone that disagrees with you on a decision you make, will come to your house and your business and picket you, would you be willing to put your business and family through that.

 

I think this sets a very dangerous precedent in which good candidates will say no. Similar to what is done to Presidential elections and the meat grinder it is.

Your right, I had just read the post on "121st county" then read yours and put my reply on the wrong thread.

I absolutely do not think they should be able to do that, I would ask them to leave one time then have them arrested for tresspasing.

Your right, I had just read the post on "121st county" then read yours and put my reply on the wrong thread.

I absolutely do not think they should be able to do that, I would ask them to leave one time then have them arrested for tresspasing.

Is it trespassing, if they completely stay on the sidewalk in front of the business or home?

The Kenton County politicians have nobody to blame but themselves for this mess. When they caved in to the pressure from Edgewood citizens and didn't put the jail at the base of Dudley on 3L they opened the door for every other location to be NIMBYed to death.

 

For what it's worth, I agree with the citizens of Independence that this site location was a cloak and dagger maneuver and not open to public discussion/review.

 

The ironic thing is the Boone County jail has a school around the corner from it (Stephens Elementary) and has an adjacent field used for children soccer games in the spring. I haven't heard of any incidents that have threatened public safety in Boone County.

Sorry, to answer the question, yes it a dangerous precedent to set.

The Kenton County politicians have nobody to blame but themselves for this mess. When they caved in to the pressure from Edgewood citizens and didn't put the jail at the base of Dudley on 3L they opened the door for every other location to be NIMBYed to death.

 

For what it's worth, I agree with the citizens of Independence that this site location was a cloak and dagger maneuver and not open to public discussion/review.

 

The ironic thing is the Boone County jail has a school around the corner from it (Stephens Elementary) and has an adjacent field used for children soccer games in the spring. I haven't heard of any incidents that have threatened public safety in Boone County.

 

How many of the current county officials were in office then? I don't think Drees was but I'm not really sure. I agree that they should have held firm then and not be rolled over by the Edgewood citizens. For the same reason they should hold firm now and say enough is enough. Otherwise it will never get built.

How many of the current county officials were in office then? I don't think Drees was but I'm not really sure.

 

Like you, I'm not certain who was in office then/now.

 

I agree that they should have held firm then and not be rolled over by the Edgewood citizens. For the same reason they should hold firm now and say enough is enough. Otherwise it will never get built.

 

I agree that it has to go somehere. I just don't like the way Drees seems to ramming this site through. Who knows, maybe he isn't, but it certainly seems like a back door manuever. If the rallying cry is "we are new officials and it has to go somewhere", why not put it back on 3L. That location would be more convenient to Covington than further south in Independence.

Like you, I'm not certain who was in office then/now.

 

 

 

I agree that it has to go somehere. I just don't like the way Drees seems to ramming this site through. Who knows, maybe he isn't, but it certainly seems like a back door manuever. If the rallying cry is "we are new officials and it has to go somewhere", why not put it back on 3L. That location would be more convenient to Covington than further south in Independence.

Let me first admit that I am not familiar with alot of this. But I know my county does not have a jail and rents out spots from other counties. Would putting it in Independence open it up for some revenue from a Bracken, Pendleton, etc, sending inmates there where a Covington location would not?

Let me first admit that I am not familiar with alot of this. But I know my county does not have a jail and rents out spots from other counties. Would putting it in Independence open it up for some revenue from a Bracken, Pendleton, etc, sending inmates there where a Covington location would not?

 

 

There may be the possibility of revenue gain by housing inmates from other counties, but that didn't seem to be a factor when the location on 3L was chosen and then discarded due to political pressure.

Like you, I'm not certain who was in office then/now.

 

 

 

I agree that it has to go somehere. I just don't like the way Drees seems to ramming this site through. Who knows, maybe he isn't, but it certainly seems like a back door manuever. If the rallying cry is "we are new officials and it has to go somewhere", why not put it back on 3L. That location would be more convenient to Covington than further south in Independence.

 

That's not a bad idea. I also think that 3L would be a better location. I wonder if it was even considered? Somehow I doubt it. I agree that they seem to be ramming the site thru but honestly I don't think it happens any other way.