Two recent stands by David Williams have really pushed me over the edge.

 

The first was more an irritation. He wants to have legislative hearings over the traffic/parking issues of the recent NASCAR debacle. Is that really the role of our State government? Is that really a worthwhile undertaking for the State Government? Heck, what about unemployment, the state of our financial situation, bringing new industry to the state, trying to save our signature industry? Shouldn't the parking/traffic issues be left to the local governments and the business entities in the affected area be the one's resolving these issues?

 

Today I see he wants the Jefferson County School Board abolished, and the JCPS to be run by Metro Government and the Metro Council. Is this even within his realm of responsibility? And who is he to decide what happens in Louisville? He doesn't even represent the constituency of Louisville! And the kicker, Teddy Gordon (no fan of JCPS) even opposes Mr. Williams' plan. Does Mr. Williams think this will garner votes for himself in the Louisville area? I would hope that even those who want huge change in the JCPS would be against someone from Cumberland County telling the citizens of Jefferson County what to do about their schools. This one has me ticked off, and I don't, nor have I ever, had kids in the JCPS syste.

Two recent stands by David Williams have really pushed me over the edge.

 

The first was more an irritation. He wants to have legislative hearings over the traffic/parking issues of the recent NASCAR debacle. Is that really the role of our State government? Is that really a worthwhile undertaking for the State Government? Heck, what about unemployment, the state of our financial situation, bringing new industry to the state, trying to save our signature industry? Shouldn't the parking/traffic issues be left to the local governments and the business entities in the affected area be the one's resolving these issues?

 

Today I see he wants the Jefferson County School Board abolished, and the JCPS to be run by Metro Government and the Metro Council. Is this even within his realm of responsibility? And who is he to decide what happens in Louisville? He doesn't even represent the constituency of Louisville! And the kicker, Teddy Gordon (no fan of JCPS) even opposes Mr. Williams' plan. Does Mr. Williams think this will garner votes for himself in the Louisville area? I would hope that even those who want huge change in the JCPS would be against someone from Cumberland County telling the citizens of Jefferson County what to do about their schools. This one has me ticked off, and I don't, nor have I ever, had kids in the JCPS syste.

 

Addressing your first irritation, the State govt has a lot to gain in tax revenues (sales tax, gasoline taxes, etc.) if the race continues to draw a large number of people (particularly out of staters) to the event. Conversely, if attendance drops off considerably due to the traffic problems, the State govt won't receive those revenues. So yes, I think State govt has a dog in that hunt. Having said that, I don't doubt for a moment that a partial motivation (majority motivation) behind the push for a hearing is to make our current Governor look bad.

 

Concerning the JCPS, frankly I don't know enough about that situation other than to state that Williamson is more than a mere legislator from Cumberland County. He is the President of the Senate, which creates much greater responsibilies than just looking at his own district.

On first item. Maybe the traffic kept him from visiting his friends on the other side of the river who have a vested interest in keeping casino gambling illegal in Kentucky (despite the heritage of casinos in the state).

 

On the second one. It looks like a small town political power grab approach to a big complex challenge. I do not believe that Mr. Williams could start to understand the complexities of Jefferson County school system needs.

On first item. Maybe the traffic kept him from visiting his friends on the other side of the river who have a vested interest in keeping casino gambling illegal in Kentucky (despite the heritage of casinos in the state).

 

The traffic (or his decision to leave so late for the race) caused him to either miss the race or get there very late.

It's all designed to get whatever small number of conservative votes he can get in a county that didn't support him in the Republican primary. I'm pretty sure he's also made statements regarding the elimination of the county-wide student assignment plan in favor of neighborhood schools, another favorite among conservatives.

 

But I'm not thrilled with the proposal. While I can understand frustration with what seems to be a lack of progress in our schools, this can't possibly be the solution. "Problem? Have no fear, because the Louisville Metro Council is on the case!" Wonderful. That's always worked out so well.

Mr. Williams is going to grasp at any issue on which he can disagree with the Governor or at least attempt to put him in a bad light. Even issues with which he is unfamiliar. Part and parcel of running a campaign.

It's all designed to get whatever small number of conservative votes he can get in a county that didn't support him in the Republican primary. I'm pretty sure he's also made statements regarding the elimination of the county-wide student assignment plan in favor of neighborhood schools, another favorite among conservatives.

 

But I'm not thrilled with the proposal. While I can understand frustration with what seems to be a lack of progress in our schools, this can't possibly be the solution. "Problem? Have no fear, because the Louisville Metro Council is on the case!" Wonderful. That's always worked out so well.

 

Yeah, the one group of people I have even less faith in than the JCPS school board is Metro Council.

As for the JCPS thing. He can't just do it for one district. It is all a part of the local control that gives parents and tax payers a chance to have a say.

 

Williams is using the JCPS thing as a way to grab votes because he wants people to think he can solve the bus issue. The idea of neighborhood schools makes him think he has a chance in Louisville.

1. Did anyone not see the traffic issue coming? When the track first opened the had the same problems. What did they think was going to happen when they finally got a real race there.

 

2. JCPS's problems should be none of Williams' business.

Addressing your first irritation, the State govt has a lot to gain in tax revenues (sales tax, gasoline taxes, etc.) if the race continues to draw a large number of people (particularly out of staters) to the event. Conversely, if attendance drops off considerably due to the traffic problems, the State govt won't receive those revenues. So yes, I think State govt has a dog in that hunt. Having said that, I don't doubt for a moment that a partial motivation (majority motivation) behind the push for a hearing is to make our current Governor look bad.

I understand the state's stake in it. But I don't see anyone calling for a legislative session to solve the parking/traffic issues associated with Thunder Over Louisville or Derby, which annually draw bigger crowds than this race did. He got caught in traffic and is ticked, so this is his response? I'd submit that both of those events have worse traffic/parking issues, despite the plans. The people who know what the events are take the time to figure out their parking/driving routes/timing. It's a major event, I can't imagine you couldn't see it coming. It doesn't require a legislative session to examine it. It's plain as the nose on his face. Parking issues created traffic issues on a major interstate. He'd flip a wig over the Thunder traffic plan and the Derby traffic plan.

 

Concerning the JCPS, frankly I don't know enough about that situation other than to state that Williamson is more than a mere legislator from Cumberland County. He is the President of the Senate, which creates much greater responsibilies than just looking at his own district.

 

OK..he's the President of the Senate, who spends little time in Louisville, doesn't live in Louisville, has never educated a child in the JCPS. Granted his responsibilities are greater than his own district, but school districts are locally administrated. The State has no say in deciding how that will be done. He's overreaching even as the Senate President, and frankly, it's a hit to his credibility for him to try to sell that as a way to garner votes.

I understand the state's stake in it. But I don't see anyone calling for a legislative session to solve the parking/traffic issues associated with Thunder Over Louisville or Derby, which annually draw bigger crowds than this race did. He got caught in traffic and is ticked, so this is his response? I'd submit that both of those events have worse traffic/parking issues, despite the plans. The people who know what the events are take the time to figure out their parking/driving routes/timing. It's a major event, I can't imagine you couldn't see it coming. It doesn't require a legislative session to examine it. It's plain as the nose on his face. Parking issues created traffic issues on a major interstate. He'd flip a wig over the Thunder traffic plan and the Derby traffic plan.

 

 

OK..he's the President of the Senate, who spends little time in Louisville, doesn't live in Louisville, has never educated a child in the JCPS. Granted his responsibilities are greater than his own district, but school districts are locally administrated. The State has no say in deciding how that will be done. He's overreaching even as the Senate President, and frankly, it's a hit to his credibility for him to try to sell that as a way to garner votes.

Wait...he has credibility left? Thought that was long gone.

Wait...he has credibility left? Thought that was long gone.

 

There are still some wacky Bible-thumpers along the Tennessee line who have been snowed into believing he stands up for their backwards social beliefs. They're the ones who keep voting the insufferable jerk back to Frankfort.

There are still some wacky Bible-thumpers along the Tennessee line who have been snowed into believing he stands up for their backwards social beliefs. They're the ones who keep voting the insufferable jerk back to Frankfort.

The sad part is, come election time I think we'll find out those people you talk about range much farther north than anyone would like.

Mr. Williams is going to grasp at any issue on which he can disagree with the Governor or at least attempt to put him in a bad light. Even issues with which he is unfamiliar. Part and parcel of running a campaign.

Agreed!

The sad part is, come election time I think we'll find out those people you talk about range much farther north than anyone would like.

 

I can vouch for that. Williams will surely win one of the northern most counties in the state - Boone Co - and it likely won't even be close. Put an R after your name and you are guaranteed to win. I would guess half the elected officials in Boone County were at one time Democrats but switched to R so they would be able to get elected there or keep getting elected.