Both candidates for Bell County Judge Executive - Republican Albey Brock and incumbent Democrat Bill Kelley - were on hand Monday to answer questions from Rotarians and engage in friendly debate with each other over important issues in the 2006 general election.
Brock's appearance marked the only time a Republican candidate showed up for one of the luncheon forums. In past weeks, Glynna Brown, GOP candidate for state representative, Middlesboro Mayor Ben Hickman and former Bell County sheriff Harold Harbin all did not attend while their respective Democratic opponents - State Rep. Rick Nelson, local attorney Bill Hayes, and incumbent Sheriff Bruce Bennett - answered questions by themselves.
This week, however, Brock and Kelley provided more of what the Rotarians were hoping for - an opportunity to provide a nonpartisan forum where members of the club, who include many influential civic and business leaders, could compare the candidates' platforms and get their views on current local issues.
In their opening statements, both candidates emphasized they were and would continue to be longtime friends who respected each other, but had different views on some issues. They also thanked their wives and family members for supporting them in time-consuming campaigns.
With Rotarian Ken Simpson moderating, the candidates responded to a series of “ice-breaker questions,” with Brock, the winner of a coin toss prior to the event, answering first.
When asked why voters should cast their ballots for him, Brock said that he had a “true, absolute love of the community and its people,” a quality that he said any candidate would have to have to seek and function well in the office of judge executive. He also said that his opponent, Kelley, has had four years in office, and while some things had been accomplished, Brock believes there is more that could be done.
Kelley said he hoped voters would grant him another term because four years ago, they had put their trust in him and he had done his best to help Bell County make strides. Although there are some departments that need more equipment, he noted that there has been more money spent “on water, sewer and roads than in any other administration” and that he hoped to be around to continue projects already underway.
Brock was asked what “unique skills, talents and life experiences” he had that qualified him to be judge executive. He responded that his 20-some years of business experience had helped him develop an understanding of what communities need. He noted that a judge executive must be able to “multitask,” or handle several projects at once, and his background had helped him hone such skills.
When asked what his experience as an incumbent had taught him, Kelley said that most importantly, “I've learned how important the budget is to your operation. He noted that the county's current budget is “almost $14 million now” and that while that seems like a large sum, it still means having to make decisions about how best to prioritize projects and use the money effectively.
Brock was asked if he would make any changes if he were elected. He responded by saying that he would do some things differently, but not necessarily in terms of employees. He said that he believed the county should “get more out of our tax dollars.”
“We're paying for 40 hours a week,” he said. “We ought to get that.”
Brock also said he would change the county's “work at will” policy, which he described as “mean-spirited.” He said he had been called by relatives of county employees who were worried that employee job security could be affected by election results and emphasized that he had no agenda that involved changing county employment.
“We should treat the county's employees like any other employee,” he said.
When asked what accomplishment caused him the most pride, Kelley said, “The changing quality of life in Bell County and the creation of new jobs.” He said his biggest disappointment was not being able to find a group to run a countywide drug rehabilitation center.
“We need help in the administration of it,” Kelley said.
On the subject of drugs, Brock said that he would like to see county funds used to fund a specific officer and equipment related to drug enforcement.
“The county executive has control over the sheriff's budget,” Brock said. “I would increase funding toward eradicating drug crime. There is no one in this room who is not affected by it, whether it's through having a relative, or being a victim of a break-in” or through other ways.
Kelley said that since he has been in office, there has been a big increase in the sheriff's budget, including funds for a canine unit and undercover equipment.
The issue that the two candidates for judge executive seemed most in disagreement on was centered around the creation of jobs and how much has already been done. Kelley said there have been � new jobs since I've been in as judge,” an increase that has occurred since 2003, he said. He said that he based his claim on statistics found online at www.WorkForceKentucky.ky.gov. Brock disputed this information, saying that he had tried to find it and could not find the basis for Kelley's claim.
Both candidates agreed that the way coal severance money is distributed should be reexamined, with both emphasizing that no agency presently receiving such funds should go unfunded if it was determined that the coal severance money should go elsewhere. They both referred to Little Leagues as an example of an organization receiving coal severance funding that could be funded by other means.
Kelley and Brock both supported the county being involved with child and adult literacy programs, including such plans as “Imaginary Library,” promoted by singer Dolly Parton in Sevierville, Tenn.
Both candidates were asked if they agreed with a claim by Sheriff Bruce Bennett last week that the county is ill-prepared to respond to an emergency such as the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack or a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina. Brock said that he assumed Bennett's judgment was correct.
“I don't know how ready we are, but if we're not, I'd like to know why,” he said. “If we're not prepared, we should figure out how to get prepared.”
Kelley said that efforts had been made to get a disaster preparedness plan in place, but “I'm not sure there's anywhere in the country that is prepared for (an event like Sept. 11th).” He said he believed Bell County was better prepared than some other counties.
In closing, Kelley said that he believed it was very important to everyone for Bell County to continue moving forward and appreciated the support he had received in the past.
Brock said that there were issues such as a countywide 911 emergency response system that he wished there had been more time to address. He finished his remarks by saying, “If you're satisfied with the conditions of things now, you probably shouldn't vote for me,” but added, “If you want to see dramatic change,” then he was the best candidate for the job.
The Rotary session with Kelley and Brock will be broadcast on television channel 13 at 7 p.m. today.
James-Clifton Spires is Senior Staff Writer for The Daily News. His e-mail address is jcspires@middlesborodailynews.com.
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