In this interview, James Dressman Jr. details his family history, education, and his public service career, which began with a General Assembly position and continued once he was elected County Judge Executive of Kenton County. He discusses his County Judge Executive election campaign, the Judicial Referendum, which he likes, the Probate Court,…
In this interview, James Fallin, a Louisville native, discusses his decision to enter into politics and his corresponding Hancock County public service career, which included a Democratic Chairman nomination, and terms as both a County Judge and Judge Executive. He compares the differences between the two judcicial positions, and comments on the…
In this interview, James Guffey, a Ballard County native, discusses his education, reasons for "getting into" politics, and his corresponding public service experiences as Deputy Sheriff, County Judge and County Judge Executive. Interview topics include the Judicial Referendum, "major players" in Ballard County, unemployment and tax rates,…
In this interview, James Menees, a Fulton County native, shares his public service experiences, as a Fulton County Sheriff, County Judge, and Judge Executive. He comments extensively on his election campaigns in 1966 and 1970, other county and school board elections, the Judicial Referendum changes, and various aspects of county government, such as…
Jesse Link, a Mississippi born and Kentucky raised retired veteran details his education and the Simpson County offices held in this interview. Judge Link comments on the Judicial Referendum, a "library issue", a successful tax vote, and changes in roads laws and state funding. He also discusses the pros and cons of new industry coming to the…
This interview details Jimmie Greene's 24 year military career and the different jobs he held before entering into politics. He also explains his reasons for becoming politically active, and comments on how he wanted to contribute to McCreary County. The interview also contains a comparative discussion over the new Judicial system, which he prefers…
In this interview, John Corlis, a Bracken County native, U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War and lumber businessman, discusses his life experiences and political career. Corlis comments extensively on the poor road conditions in Bracken county, relevant county employment trends, a lack of local industry, and revenue sharing. He also discusses…
In this interview, Joseph Pearman, a Larue County native, discusses his family history, education, and employment prior to becoming County Judge Executive. He also comments on the Judicial Referendum, the county's current and future needs, local industry, the county school system, and park and recreation development around Lincoln's Birthplace.
Kenneth Hager, a Meade County native, details his reasons for entering into public service and his corresponding experiences in this interview. Interview topics include conversations over his job duties as Judge Executive, important county employers, revenue sharing, county budgeting, and a summary of his typical day in the office.
In this interview, L. G. Hammons discusses his reasons for getting involved in politics, his first term as Sheriff, and the corresponding election campaigns he ran. Other topics include his opposition to the Judicial Referendum, and a discussion over the various problems he faced as judge, which include, but are not limited to, poor roads,…
Lowell Cline, a WV native and long time Carter County resident, discusses his family, education, mortician training, and experiences in Carter County politics and public service in this interview. He comments on his election campaigns, the Judicial Referendum, the people of Carter County, federal money dependence, and his goals as Judge Executive,…
In this interview, Mary Pendygraft comments on her family background, her first job, the courts system, and the sources of her interests in becoming a County Judge. She also details her judicial goals, particular Boyle County decision makers, local industries, and her plans for the future.
Matt Blackard discusses his family history, education, and his 40 years in politics in this interview. He comments extensively on the state and local judicial systems, the Judicial Referendum, former Governor "Happy Chandler", and revenue sharing, which supports both the ambulance and patrol services. Additional interview topics cover what is…
In this interview, Mildred Rowland, Superintendent of Harlan County Schools, discusses her education, her former positions including teaching, adult education, and many issues in Harlan County and the schools. She has served for 50 years in the schools.
In this interview, Mitchell McConnell, an Alabama native and future Senate Majority Leader, details his education, a Department of Justice appointment under President Gerald Ford, and his interests in politics. He comments extensively on the Judicial Referendum, the problems that Jefferson County faces, the "crucial" benefits of revenue sharing and…
In this interview, Nancy Botts discusses Barren County and the life and public service career of her boss, County Judge Executive Dale Burchett. She comments on Burchett's background and the issues the county faces, such as problems with the ambulance service, and fire and roads departments, the lack of a housing program and the pains of county…
In this interview, Nim Henson, a Breathitt County native, details his family, employment history and public service career. He discusses judicial job duties, the Judicial Referendum, Fiscal Court, the advantages and disadvantages of the coal industry, Revenue Sharing, and county growth. He concludes that a lack of garbage collection, adequate…
In this interview Porter Henson, a Robertson County native and WW II veteran, discusses his family history, military service, farming background, and public service career in Robertson County, which began with a county school board position and continued once he was appointed County Judge in 1963. Other interview topics include the pains of high…
R. C. Hamilton discusses his life experiences and first term in office as the Crittenden County Judge Executive in this interview. Interview topics include his Crittenden County education, his decision to enter public service, the importance of revenue sharing, and the major concerns he wants to address, which include economic development, an…
R. R. Thomas, a Hardin County native, discusses his military service record, education, and public service career, which began with a 8 year stint as County Clerk and culminated in a successful County Judge election in 1970. He comments on his accomplishments since 1970, how the county was run in the past, the KY Fiscal Court, and the major…
In this interview, "Sammy" Woods, a Shelby County native, discusses his extensive career in public office; first as Sheriff and later as Judge Executive. He also shares his opinions on the Judicial Referendum, which he prefers, various county officials and boards, revenue sharing, and election campaigns. Other topics include the Shelby County…
Randall Donahue, a Nelson County native, comments on his political career in both state and local politics in this interview. Donahue served as a city councilman, Mayor, and state senator prior to becoming the Marion County Judge Executive. In the interview he discusses the Judicial Referendum, the county's need for local industry, the predominant…
Raymond Schutlz, a Green County native, explains his reason for getting into politics, and his job duties as County Judge Executive in this interview. Other interview topics include the Judicial Referendum, local industry, major county concerns, such as poor roads, and, the benefits of recreation, public housing, and river traffic.
In this interview, Reba Baker, advertising editor for The Leslie County News, discusses how her and her husband acquired the paper from James Nolan. She also comments on problems in Leslie County.
Reece Smoot, a Bourbon County native and longtime Nicholas county resident, discusses his family history, military service record, education, and the public offices he has held in Nicholas County, which include Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, and County Judge Executive. He concludes the county has good roads and schools, but it needs more industry and…
Richard Ousley, a Greenup County native, details his family history and his political career in this interview. He was the last county judge under the old system and the first elected Judge Executive since the Judicial Referendum, which took effect in 1977. Ousley discusses, amongst other topics, the difficulties of long hours under the old system,…
Robert Brown, a Logan County native, details his personal background, education, and Logan County public service career in this interview. He comments extensively on his interest in politics, offices he held, which include magistrate and County Judge Executive, and the pros and cons of his position. He also discusses Logan County industries and…
In this interview, Robert Collins, a Letcher County native, discusses his family history, education, and decisions to become a County Judge and County Judge Executive. He also comments on his working relationships with former Governors Earl Clements and Bert T. Combs, and his predecessor, Judge Bennett Adams. Other interview topics include a…
Robert Harrod, a Franklin County native, relates his experiences as a lawyer, County Judge and County Judge Executive in this interview. Interview topics include his family, education, his predecessor and the embezzlement case he faced, the Fiscal Court, House Bill #44, local industry, and Revenue Sharing. He also coments on Franklin County…
In this interview, Roy Baber details his family history and education, and his positive attitude the changes that resulted from the Judicial Referendum. Baber comments extensively on his job duties, Bourbon County's under employment problem, increased recreation demands, public housing projects, and waste disposal services. Discussions over…
In this interview, Roy Bailey, a Bath County native, details his family history, World War II military service record, and his experiences as both a County Judge and Judge Executive. He comments on his support for former Governor Julian Carroll, his failed State Representative election campaign, his successful run for County Judge in 1974, the…
In this interview, Russell Stephens, a Harrison County native, discusses his career as the County Judge and County Judge Executive, a position he was appointed to after the suicide of his predecessor, Judge Carl Nyan. Additional topics include his family history, farming, his satisfaction with the Judicial Referendum changes, Fiscal Court…
In this interview, Sam Swartz, a Bath County native, discusses his family history, the reasons he got involved in politics, the Judicial Referendum, and his career as both a County Judge and County Judge Executive for Menifee County. Swartz also comments extensively on his appreciation for "politicking", local industries and employment trends, and…
Samuel Phillips, a Taylor County native, details his life experiences and Taylor County public service career in this interview. He comments extensively on the Judicial Referendum, his election campaigns, the Fiscal Court, and the major problems that Taylor County faces, such as inadequate ambulance services, roads, and recreation facilities.…
Sid Williams, a Knott County native, details his family history, military service record, work history and political career in this interview. Interview topics include the Judicial Referendum, his experiences as a natural gas drilling contractor, and his relevant contributions while in office, which include a new jail, medical clinic, nursing home,…
Theron Kessinger, a Ohio County native, details his personal background and the four terms he served in the KY House of Representatives in this interview. He also comments on the Jucicial Referndum, and, Ohio County's roads problem, recent population growth, and its housing program.
In this interview, Martin County native Victoria Kirk comments on her husband Willie's 30 years in the coal industry, his experiences as both a Martin County Judge and Judge Executive, and her role as County Treasurer. Interview topics include the major concerns for the county, which include recreation access, poor ambulance services and the…
In this interview, Wayne Blevins, a Johnson County native, details his family history, their public service careers, and the problems he has faced as County Judge Executive. Discussion topics include conversations over his term as judge, Johnson County growth, and the county needs for employment opportunities, housing programs, and recreation.…
Wayne T. Rutherford discusses his family background, previous work in the State Department of Corrections and his tenure as the Pike County Judge Executive in this interview. Interview topics cover a wide range of relevant county services, such as waste removal, the volunteer fire department and senior citizen programs, and the Judicial Referendum.…
In this interview, Wendell Moore, an Oldham County native, discusses his education and Oldham County public service career as both a county magistrate and Judge Executive. Interview topics include discussions over the Judicial Referendum, Oldham County growth, and the major problems the county faces, such as poor roads and waste disposal systems,…
Wilbur Lee, a McClean County native, describes his early life, previous farming experieneces, and public service career inthis interview. Interview topics include discussions over his election campaigns and corresponding accomplishments, the Judicical Referendum, local employment trends, and the various problems the county faces, in particular poor…
In this interview, William Davis, Superintendent of Estill County Schools, discusses his decision to become Superintendent, the county and city merger, his daily responsibilities, the School Board, vocational school, and the system's enrollment.
William Edmunds discusses his interests in politics, and his Christian County public service career in this interview. Interview topics include the Judicial Referendum, revenue sharing and CETA, and relevant county industry and services, including a youth program and recreation. He also comments on Fort Campbell's influence in the area.
In this interview, William Froehlich discusses his family and employment history prior to becoming Judge Executive of Daviess County. He comments on his initial public service position as County Commissioner, his professional relationships with state and city governments, the major traffic and infrastructure problems the county faces, the costs of…
William Owens, a Fleming County native, discusses his family history, education, military service record, and reasons for entering politics in this interview. He comments extensively on the public offices he has held, which include Deputy Sheriff, High Sheriff, County Judge and County Judge Executive, as well as the state of Fleming County industry…
William Williams, a Lyon County native, discusses his Lyon County public service career in this interview. Interview topics include the Judicial Referendum and Willams' job duties as Judge Executive, revenue sharing, major county problems, such as, waste removal and inadequate police and ambulance services, House Bill 44, and, lakes and recreation.
In this interview, Woodrow Wilson, a Metcalfe County native, discusses his public service experiences, which began with a school board appointment and continued once he was elected to County Judge in 1965. Interview topics include the Judicial Referendum and its changes to the judicial system, county politics, such as tax referendums to support…
Zellner Cossey, a Trigg County native, discusses his family history and 18 years in public service in this interview. He comments extensively on his experiences as a Trigg County Judge, then Sheriff and County Judge Executive. Special attention is paid to the "unique qualities" of Trigg County, the Judicial Referendum, local healthcare issues, the…
