In this interview, Hiram Parrish explains the duties of a County Judge and County Judge Executive, and he expresses his preference for the Judicial Referendum. He also details his father's career as a trader, and the role horses and mules played in their lives.
In this interview, Harold Barnes details how he became County Judge Executive after Judge Lyle Webb died, as well as his experiences as the Cumberland Democratic County Chair. He also comments on the difference between a County Judge and County Judge Executive, and the taxing demands of holding both judicial positions.
In this interview, Donnie McWhorter discusses his decision to enter into politics, and the County problems he attempted to resolve while in office. He also details the benefits of federal grant money, his duties as Judge Executive and his plans for reelection.
In this interview, James Brock explains the pros and cons to the newly adopted Judicial System, and his preference for the Judicial Referendum. He also comments on his accomplishments after one year in office and the recently held 1977 election. Other topics include the local problems he faces, senior citizenry, and his working relationships with…
In this interview, Finis Pyles, a former 1950s County Judge, details his political background, judicial duties, and problems during his time as Judge, such as local alcohol abuse and juvenile crime trends. He had no future plans to come out of retirement, however he did comment on the need for improving the extant Columbia Police Department…
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, Harold Kirby discusses his first political race for sheriff, how he dealt with troubling juvenile problems, and the general job duties of the County 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.
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,…
This interview details Dale Roberts' personal background, education, Baptist ministry service and his opinions on the Judge Executive position in Owsley County. Other topics include the newly constructed court house, the county jail, elderly housing, President Jimmy Carter, and election campaigns. Roberts viewed garbage collection, housing, and…
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…
In this interview, Howard Ellis, an Owen County Judge Executive, discusses his employment history, extensive political background and his views of the Judicial Referendum. He concludes that funding shortfalls and inadequate roads, senior citizen housing, and hospital services are some of the major problems that Owen County faces; with waste…
In this interview, Ervin S. Pruitt, a Pike County native and EKU graduate, discusses his personal background, employment history, and education prior to becoming a Pike County Judge, an appointment that he received after his father retired. Pruitt also discusses the advantages and disadvantages to the Judicial Referendum, and his run for office,…
In this interview, George Hall, an Estep KY native, details his personal background, education, employment history, and reasons for entering into public service in Boyd County. He also discusses his election campaigns, juvenile problems, federal grants for coal removal, using inmates to help clear land, the Judicial Referendum and Fiscal Court.
In this interview, Clyde Greenwood discusses his duties as both a Judge Executive and editor of a local Trimble County newspaper. He details how he plans to do both jobs and underscores future plans for the newspaper. Judge Greenwood also comments on the Judicial Referendum, which he dislikes, Trimble County population decreases, and the rampant…
In this interview, Charlie Sutton discusses the various public offices and service positions he has held, which include Georgetown City Council service, Scott County Sheriff and both the County Judge and Judge Executive offices. Sutton prefers the changes that resulted from the Judicial Referendum, however he also concludes additional judges are…
In this interview, Ben Elston, a Henry County native, discusses his personal background and employment history, as well as his experiences in various public offices. Other interview topics include discussions over the Judicial Referendum, the absence of a Henry County planning and zoning commission, and, waste and roads management issues. Elston…
In this interview, Danny Brewer, a Wolfe County native, discusses his education and family history, and his family's political involvement, which began with his father's County Judge seat, and continued once Brewer replaced his father. Other topics include his and his father's election campaigns and strategies, Brewer's National Guard Service, and…
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…
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,…
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, 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…
In this interview, Gene Allen, a Morgan County native, discusses his family, education, military service, and public service career, which consisted of terms as both a County Judge and County Judge Executive. Other interview topics cover the Judicial Referendum, why he entered into politics, and needs of county, which include, among other things, a…
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…
In this interview, Gardner Wagers, a Fayette County native who spent most of his life in Clark County, discusses his family history, education, his interests in politics, his election campaign, and the Judicial Referendum, which he considers a positive development.
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…
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…
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…
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…
In this interview, Austin Wenz, a Mason County native, details his family history, education, the reasons he entered into politics and the offices he has held. Interview topics include conversations over the predominantly farming population of Mason County, the Judicial Referendum and a comparison of the old and new systems, the positive roads,…
Calloway Montgomery, a Magoffin County native discusses his family history, education, military service record, and his county political career in this interview. Interview topics include the Judicial Referendum, Fiscal Court, Big Sandy AD District grants, Revenue Sharing, coal mines, and relevant coal miner unemployment trends
Byron Martin, a Grant County native, discusses his family history, education, and political career, which included a terms as Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, County Judge and County Judge Executive. Interview topics also detail the Judicial Referendum, his negative feelings towards spousal and child abuse, and juvenile problems. He expresses that his main…
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,…
In this interview, Bruce Ferguson, a Union County resident who was born in Covington KY, discusses his family history, education, and public service, which began in 1963 when he was appointed County Judge and continued after he was elected County Judge Executive. Interview topics include discussions over Kenton County citizen employment, with the…
David Pribble, a Butler County native, discusses his family history, military service record, and public service career in this interview. As the sitting County Judge Executive for Pendleton County, Pribble considered poors road, water, and sewer systems, and an inadequate hospital to be the major problems his residents faced. Other interview…
Allen C. Muncy, a Leslie County native, discusses his family history , education, his political interests and career, which began when he set out to stop the rampant violence he saw in his home county. He also discusses the differences in atmosphere at EKU and UK, his election campaigns, the Judicial Referendum, President Nixon's visit to Hyden,…
Foster Calhoun, a Knott County native and Morehead State University alum, discusses his family history, education, and political interests and career in this interview. Calhoun concludes that the roads, sewage, water sanitation and garbage collection are major county problems. He also discusses federal programs, the Judicial Referendum, 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.…
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 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…
David Blair, a Johnson County native, details his family and employment history, education, and Elliott County political career in this interview. Interview topics include a discussion on his County Judge Executive election campaign and a lawsuit he got wrapped up in with a County Sheriff, his accomplishments, and the power structure of Elliott…
Bill Wells, a Floyd County native, discusses his family history, education, and Floyd County public service career, which began with the school board, was extended with 12 years as magistrate and continued once he was elected to County Judge Executive. In the interview he comments on the Judicial Referendum, election campaigns, the county budget,…
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, 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, Jake Jordan, a Lawrence County native, discusses his work history and political experiences as a County Sheriff, County Judge, and County Judge Executive. Interview topics include discussions over county and state elections and politics, and his memories of "working the polls". While working the polls at age 16 Jordan let his 11…
In this interview, Harry Hoffman, a Mt. Sterling native, comments on his family history and education, and his employment and political experiences in Montgomery County. Hoffman comments extensively on the Judical Referendum, his first City Judge election, local industry trends, Revenue Sharing, the county's lack of a county magistratrial, and the…
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…
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, A. G. Pritchett, a Henderson County native, comments on his family, education, and a Henderson County political career that began with 12 years as Magistrate, and continued with 7 years of judicial service. He discusses the changes in his duties under the Judicial Referendum, the condition of county roads and bridges, and, the…
