I am "shocked, really shocked" to think that Governor Fletcher would approve road projects in districts of legislators who supported his administration rather than those of his vociferous enemies. Is the Herald-Leader really that naive or is this another example of the anti-Fletcher bias in the press? I imagine Paul Patton, a great practitioner of the art of politics, must have a big grin on his face as he reads this nonsense.
I recall a day when our Republican caucus in the House held a press conference to complain that Governor Patton was sending the bulk of the discretionary road money to Pike County, his home. This was at a time when Northern Kentucky had dire needs and was begging for a few dollars, including $10,000 for the Industrial Road project, which we were told was unavailable. I also recall, as a member of the Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee, that on Dec.
2, 2002, Kevin Flanery, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, bypassed our committee and sent $1.7 million from the capital construction contingency account to Pikeville to help build the Exposition Center. This item was on the agenda for Dec.
9 and would probably not have been approved. At the time, I said this was "an affront to the legislature." Committee members Jim Wayne and Bob Damron called the move "inappropriate" and "disappointing.
" But, perfectly legal. Jack Westwood's Senate opponent complained that Governor Fletcher authorized a road project in Westwood's district a month before the election. Shortly before that, they were complaining that he was ineffective!
If the Herald-Leader and the rest of the anti-Fletcher crowd in the press want to cover a story, at least get your facts straight. Sorry, but your biases are obvious. But as with the immigration vote in Congress last week, the people will have the last word.
I am "shocked, really shocked" to think that Governor Fletcher would approve road projects in districts of legislators who supported his administration rather than those of his vociferous enemies.
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