KENNY FOGLE

DEAN WATTS

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

While the thermometer hovered in the mid-70s for Saturday's Democratic picnic, the candidates for Nelson County judge-executive fired up the rally with some good old-fashioned heated political rhetoric.

Judge-executive candidate Kenny Fogle opened the period set aside for local candidates, and he wasted no time lobbing political salvos at his opponent, incumbent Judge-Executive Dean Watts.

Wearing an "Axe The Tax" sticker, Fogle spoke strongly and passionately, calling the tax unfair and vowing to eliminate it if elected judge-executive.

"You're not going to find anybody who doesn't agree it's an unfair tax," Fogle said. "What do you do with an unfair tax? You either fix it or you eliminate it."

Until the tax can be phased out, county government should restore the share of the tax it once paid to the cites of Bardstown, New Haven, Bloomfield and Fairfield.

Fogle said it was time to think outside the box when it comes to developing revenue to replace the tax. "Do we do it the same way we've been doing it for decades? No! Let's find a new way."

One way the county can replace the tax revenue is applying for grants. As county judge-executive, Fogle said he would hire a full-time grant writer solely for Nelson County.

"Grants are laying up there now untouched because people don't know how to apply for them," he said.

Fogle said the sign ordinance as an example of government interference in business development. He cited rumors that the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain may have withdrawn plans for a restaurant due to the sign ordinance as proof. "If we have a restaurant that won't come to Bardstown because of the sign ordinance, then we need to change that sign ordinance."

Zoning ordinances are too complicated and need to be streamlined and simplified, he said.

Fogle added he would actively seek input from constituents and Nelson Fiscal Court on running county government. "I want to work with some good magistrates who'll stand up to me when they think I'm wrong," he said.

Fogle asked voters to "pay attention" in the May Primary.

"Let's make some changes, because change is the only way things are going to get better," he said. "We can't keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect to get different results."

Watts defends record, county's progress

Incumbent Dean Watts began his turn at the podium by contrasting his opponents' ad titled "Here's What's Wrong with Nelson County" with what he called "the positive things that are happening in Nelson County."

Watts read an extensive list of his administration's accomplishments, including better county roads; replacement of unsafe bridges; involvement in support for state road projects; service improvements including a recycling pilot project and a free dead animal service for farmers; a county-owned ambulance service; and lobbying for state funds for New Haven and Bloomfield sewer systems.

Watts attacked his opponents' notion of eliminating the occupational tax. "Fiscal court reviewed that option, but opted to lower property taxes instead," he said.

The county purchased the ambulance service in an effort to insure quality service to the southern and northeastern portions of the county, Watts said. "The occupational tax was used to fund this service, and this is working," he said. "Some people have a short memory."

Watts took Fogle to task for pledging to restore the occupational tax revenue given to Bardstown, Bloomfield, New Haven and Fairfield.

"Where's the money coming from?" he asked. "Is there going to be a new tax? Or are we going to cut services, or what? Mr. Fogle needs to be specific."

Watts disputed Fogle's claim that county government hasn't been cooperating with city governments in the county. Watts cited a lengthy list of projects the county has helped with in all four cities.

"Ask Sen. Dan Kelly and Rep. David Floyd how they would rate (county government's level of) cooperation," he said.

Watts called attention to campaign ads that suggest Fogle supports term limits.

"You talk about rights, he wants to take your rights away," Watts said of Fogle. Rather than letting someone set an arbitrary number as a term limit, Watts said it is the voters' right to determine for themselves when it is time to remove a candidate from office.

"Don't let anyone not allow you the right to reelect an honest, fair, positive and progressive person for county judge," he said. "I say I'm the right man for the job."