Jailer
Darwin Dennison-Republican
Q. A lot of discussion has centered around the hiring of family members at the jail. This is currently an accepted practice. What kind of problems do you think can occur because of hiring practices?
A. I believe in hiring a person who is qualified for the position in question and insuring that they complete the job at hand. I don’t consider who a person is kin to before making a hiring decision. That is the old way of doing things. I currently have one member of my family working at the detention center and I have no plans to increase that. Every elected official needs one person in their organization or agency that they can trust implicitly. Thankfully, my wife has the skills needed to do her job at the detention center.
Q. What makes you think you can do a better job as jailer than your opponent?
A.The first thing that comes to mind is that I have actually done this job. Before I became Jailer, I worked at the detention center for 14 years. After a tour in Vietnam, I returned home to Grayson County to raise a family. Law enforcement became my way to serve here at home. After working for the Leitchfield Police Department and the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department, I began work at the detention center in 1992, where I served as Chief Deputy until my election as Jailer. I tackled some big issues during my first term. Under my administration, wasteful spending was eliminated and the detention center has made many security upgrades such as re-vamping the control room, upgrading and expanding the camera system and increased training. I understand what it is to run a staff of 130 people and a budget of $11 million each year. I am the only one with that experience.
Q. Grayson County Jail currently has a massive federal inmate population. What will you do, if elected, to insure the contract with the federal government continues?
A.The only thing that keeps this detention center self-supporting is positive relationships with the agencies that house inmates with us. Our staff has earned the respect and trust of the US Marshals Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security. When they need something, they call us because they know we can and will get the job done. The contracts have nothing to do with the physical facilities we have. The federal agencies we do business with care about one thing and one thing only – the fact that we can do the job. Their trust in us and reliance on us in the only reason this detention center remains self-supporting.
Qulin Escue-Democrat
Q. A lot of discussion has centered around the hiring of family members at the jail. This is currently an accepted practice. What kind of problems do you think can occur because of hiring practices?
A. I think this question should apply not only to the jail but several of the other elected offices that now employ family members. I myself employed my wife Charlotte for 14 years while serving as the Grayson County Sheriff and she did a great job. I personally don’t have a problem with hiring family even though my wife will not be employed at the Grayson County Detention Center when elected.
Q.What makes you the better-qualified candidate for the job of Jailer?
A. My first priority as jailer is to provide a safe environment for employees of the Grayson County Detention Center, the 911 employees and the inmates alike. As Jailer I will require all employee’s to take a mandatory drug test and random drug testing there after. My door will always be open to employees and the public. I expect the employees to be courteous and polite at all times to each other and the public. I feel that the Jailer’s job is more than just a title. It takes the employees, the inmates and a working jailer to make the Grayson County Detention Center successful. I would encourage and welcome employees to feel free to offer suggestions, input and opinions that would improve performance on every level and I just want the employees to know that I will be depending on them to keep the show running and helping me to acclimate my self to the new position. As Sheriff I was elected to serve and protect as Jailer I will perform my duties to serve the public and protect our inmates whom are entrusted to us.
Q. Grayson County Jail currently has a massive federal inmate population. What will you do, if elected, to insure the contract with the federal government continues?
A. I have met with US Federal Marshall Loren (Squirrel) Carl a personal friend and discussed the contract for federal inmates for the Grayson County Detention Center. I was assured that there would not be any changes under a new administration as long as the federal guide lines are met. I have no intention of jeopardizing these contracts. My goal is to keep the jail self-supporting by maintaining a working relationship with the state and federal agencies in order to keep the jail at full capacity. Approximately 30 new jailers were elected last election according to static’s not one facility lost a federal contract due to a new administration.
PVA
Ernie Perkins- Republican
Q. What makes you the better-qualified candidate for the job of PVA?
I have more than 10 years of management and finance experience. Working in Finance I have experience with accessing information from PVA offices of other counties. Their information has been easily accessible due to updated technology. I have knowledge and experience using technology that can bring the Grayson County PVA office up to date. My plan is to update the information and make it more accessible with better technology.
Q. What changes do you foresee in the office in the next four years?
If elected as your next Property Valuation Administrator, I will assure the citizens of Grayson County are made aware anytime the PVA office needs to be on their property for assessment reasons. I will make sure we are in clearly marked vehicles and apparel. A courtesy knock on the door will also be given. This is the respectful, friendly service all citizens are entitled to that I will provide.
I will also build a stronger working relationship with the Sheriff's office and County Clerk's office. My plan is to get the PVA office on the same computer system as the Sheriff's office and County Clerk's office. I feel it is essential that these three offices work closely together in order to provide more efficient customer service to the people of Grayson County. These are just a few of the changes I plan on making if elected as your next Property Valuation Administrator.
Milburn Van Meter-Democrat
Q. What makes you the better-qualified candidate for the job of PVA?
A.Experience to me is one of the better qualifications for anyone seeking employment. Experience helps to get any job done in a timely and efficient manner. I have been trained by two Property Valuation Administrators that prepared me for this position. I have seven years experience working with every part of the PVA office. If I am given the opportunity to serve as the next PVA I will continue the high standards that have been set by previous administrators.
Q. What changes do you foresee in the office in the next four years?
A. There are a few changes that I would like to make if we have the funds.
1. Identify all property with property addresses when available.
2. Replace the old maps with new updated ones.
3. Update our computers with the latest property information software, to be more compatible with other local government computer systems. Due to the shortage of funds in the state and local government
the funds to make these changes would have to come from the PVA office budget.
County Attorney
Clay Ratley-Republican
Q. What makes you the better qualified candidate for the job of County Attorney?
A. I am the best qualified candidate for county attorney because I am 100% committed to Grayson County and I have the necessary experience and work-ethic to get things done. I live, raise a family and have an office in Grayson County. Since moving here eight years ago, I have focused my legal practice almost exclusively to Grayson County residents and their needs. I believe the county attorney must be someone who has seen the problems in our county in order to best fix them. Given the current economic crisis our state and nation is facing, I fear that desperate times will result in desperate actions. You need a county attorney that is willing to take on the crimes in this county and the meth epidemic that puts us all at risk. I hope to implement new programs and focus on youthful and first-time offenders to make every effort in trying to get them back on track as a productive member of society as opposed to being a continual problem in our overburdened court system.
Q. In your experience as an attorney, what do you see as the most pressing issue in the Courts today?
A. Methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse is the most pressing issue today because of its corrosive effects on our citizens. As your next county attorney, I am confident that I can work with our local, state and federal authorities to help remove these dangerous people from our streets. Other extremely important issues are the collection of child support and protection of victims of domestic violence. Our children in this county deserve to be adequately supported and I am willing to take a hands-on approach and work with both parents to get the proper support to the children that so desperately need it. I also believe that both parties of domestic violence need to seek treatment early on so that things do not escalate into someone getting hurt. I intend on implementing a Community Outreach program to address these and other important issues so that people can face their problems in a more constructive way as opposed to a simple “stay-away” order that often fails and does not resolve the situation.
Q. If you are elected, how can you best benefit the people of Grayson County?
A.Methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse is the most pressing issue today because of its corrosive effects on our citizens. As your next county attorney, I am confident that I can work with our local, state and federal authorities to help remove these dangerous people from our streets. Other extremely important issues are the collection of child support and protection of victims of domestic violence. Our children in this county deserve to be adequately supported and I am willing to take a hands-on approach and work with both parents to get the proper support to the children that so desperately need it. I also believe that both parties of domestic violence need to seek treatment early on so that things do not escalate into someone getting hurt. I intend on implementing a Community Outreach program to address these and other important issues so that people can face their problems in a more constructive way as opposed to a simple “stay-away” order that often fails and does not resolve the situation.
Ron Hines-Democrat
Q. What makes you the better qualified candidate for the job of County Attorney?
A. The County Attorney needs to be a person from the County. The County Attorney needs to have a first hand, long term, working knowledge of all aspects of the County; how it services the citizens and the people who need those services are all intertwined and interdependent upon each other. That kind of experience and knowledge can only be earned through a longtime presence in the county. I graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law in 1987. I have served thousands of citizens from Grayson County over the past 23 years in various needs, “from the cradle to the grave.” My ancestors settled into this region while Kentucky was still part of Virginia. My Uncle ran the local grain mill in the Holly community, from the 1930’s to the 1950’s. I grew up in a blue collar family and was raised with good solid values. I understand the needs of people on minimal incomes. I have compassion for the young people in this county. I have coached little league ball and girls softball for the past 9 years. My son and I have had active roles in the Pine Knob Theatre in Caneyville. I am also on the Friends of Rough River Committee. I have fought for the rights of the common man, which is how I got the nickname “A man of the people.” My phone numbers are listed. I make house calls and believe a County Attorney should be available to the public 24 hours a day. I was City Attorney for the city of Westpoint for several years, so I understand the inner workings of small town needs and necessities. I have done humanitarian work for a number of years in foreign countries, including twelve trips to Africa to help establish schools, orphanages, churches etc….I understand the plight of poor people and how easy it is for a legal system to get out of control and ignore the needs of those who need the services most. I am also a member of the NRA and am an avid outdoor sportsman, as are my children, and strongly support the rights of citizens, free speech, freedom of religion and the right to bear arms.
Q. In your experience as an attorney, what do you see as the most pressing issue in the Courts today?
A. The County Attorney has significant input in what cases are taken into Court and the direction some of those cases take once they are placed on the Court Docket. One of the most pressing issues which needs amending is the juvenile system. Some of the abuses of that system I have witnessed are almost indescribable and certainly unbelievable to those who have not lived those nightmares. Since Juvenile cases are confidential I can’t really discuss the facts of any of the cases, but can only say that changes will be made regarding how children are being treated in the current system.
Of course as we all know Meth labs are a very serious problem in this county as well as other counties. I am already exploring viable options to the meth addiction problem.
Q. If you are elected, how can you best benefit the people of Grayson County?
A. As County Attorney my door will always be open to the needs, the suggestions and the complaints of the people in Grayson County. I welcome input from people who are hard working citizens. Being a lawyer does not give you all of the answers. I intend to listen to, and hopefully be able to rely on the input and suggestions of the citizens of Grayson County about needs that have long been overlooked and problems that have went unsolved for far too long. I have no agenda other than to continue to serve the people of Grayson County, and to be dedicated to the success of the county.
County Clerk
Tonya Kessinger-Republican
Q. What makes you the better-qualified candidate for the job of County Clerk?
A.I started working in the Clerk's Office in February 2000. I first started as Margaret Woosley's bookkeeper. As the bookkeeper, I had to be trained in all of the departments of the Clerk's Office. Carletta Farris has been the Clerk for the past 8 years and in that 8 years I have been trained in all aspects of the County Clerk's position. While I am not always in the public's' eye in the Clerk's Office, I am the most qualified candidate for the Clerk's position. I have nearly 11 years experience in finance, motor vehicle licensing, recordings, liens, real estate taxes and elections. With millions of the taxpayers dollars running through the Clerk's Office, Grayson County needs someone who knows the budget inside and out, someone that can answer your questions about any of the departments in the Clerk's Office, and that someone is me, Tonya Farris Kessinger.
Q. In your experience at the clerk’s office what do you see as the most pressing issue in the courts today?
A. The County Clerk's Office really has nothing to do with the District Court System, we only deal with the Fiscal Court. I believe the most pressing issue in the County is job loss. Until we find new ways to bring jobs into this County the economy will not improve. Every aspect of the government is affected by job loss, including our budget. When people are not working, then they cannot afford to pay taxes, insurance, license vehicles or buy property. We have really seen a decline in deeds, mortgages and new vehicle purchases and have seen a jump in repossessions, foreclosures and delinquent tax sales.
Q. If you are elected how can you best benefit the people of Grayson County?
A. The Clerk's Office works very well the way it is now, although there is always room for improvement. I plan on keeping the same trained employees that have been here for years. I am also checking on getting some of the records accessible online, although there are a lot of legalities that have to be checked out, since some of our records still have personal information on them. With today's economy, the budget has to be watched very closely. In the last 11 years we have been fortunate enough to have a budget surplus at the end of the year, which gets turned over to the Fiscal Court. This is not the Clerk's money; this is the taxpayers money that goes back into the County.
Sherry Weedman-Democrat
Q. What makes you the better-qualified candidate for the job of County Clerk?
A.For nearly 20 years as deputy clerk I have tried to provide this community with friendly knowledgeable service every time they come to the clerks office. I have tried to be the same and to treat people the same all these years. Someone asked me the other day why had I stayed all these years and my answer was that I truly enjoy serving the people of Grayson County. Everyday there is something that comes up that needs to be figured out and I like trying to solve problems and help people. Over the past years I have seen and done several duties in the clerks office. I want to continue to technologically advance the office, apply for grants and update the office equipment. I want the opportunity to be the next County Clerk and work with the community and continue to provide quality customer service.
Q. In your experience at the clerk’s office what do you see as the most pressing issue in the courts today?
The most pressing issue in our office is keeping up on new laws and seeing to it that the community is aware of the changes. We don't make the laws but we have to abide by them. Customer service is the next big issue. I want to have an open door policy, if you have questions, complaints or comments on how to improve the office I would like to hear from you. If you come into my office I promise to listen and try to solve any issue you have.
Q. If you are elected how can you best benefit the people of Grayson County?
A. I feel that the best benefit for the people of Grayson County I can give them is of myself. I promise to continue to give 110%, keep a smile on my face and to always remain the same. No matter who you are or what your story may be I will not only listen but hear you as well. I will be a working clerk, available to help in all departments.
Post a Comment
