Staff Report

MIDDLESBORO — As the race for the Bell County School Board heats up, the mud-slinging continues to fly.

The race between Eugene Collett and incumbent Dean Knuckles to represent District 5, which includes Arjay, Beverly, and Straight Creek, is perhaps the most heated.

Collett’s camp has accused Knuckles of not residing in Kentucky. Collett has passed out fliers saying “I’m the Candidate that lives in Kentucky!” Tipsters allege that Knuckles switched one of his truck’s tag registration from Tenn. to Ky. on Oct. 1.

While Knuckles could not be reached for comment, his office secretary, Tina Tipton, denied such reports. “He lives right below me, and has lived in Kentucky his entire life. He owns property in other states, and he goes to his other homes, sometimes on weekends... He’s been a lifelong resident of Ky.”

When asked directly about the accused change in truck tags, Tipton said that Knuckles owns many cars and that all of them are currently registered in Ky.

In recent advertisements, Knuckles responded to the accusations against him, “I would like to assure you that I am a lifelong resident of Bell County, Ky.”

“I do own other homes and properties in other states, however I live and work right here in Bell County and I personally and professionally pay thousands of dollars in Kentucky State and local taxes each year,” Knuckles’ advertisement states.

Knuckles described the accusations against him as being a “personal vendetta” from those who disagreed with his decision to rehire George Thompson, the current Superintendent of Schools in Bell Co.

Tipton accused Knuckles opponent of being delinquent paying his Bell Co. taxes. However, the Bell County Court Clerk’s records show that Collett does not currently owe any delinquent taxes. Collett could not be reached for comment regarding his candidacy or the allegations.