http://http://www.kentucky.com/591/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2009 Kentucky.com Editorial 60 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:22:13 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench interactive-ops@herald-leader.com http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/858255.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/858255.html Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:21 EDT
That said, the AOC will perform a much greater service in the future if it avoids the mistakes made with Francis Baker.

Baker is the persistent felony offender (18 convictions over almost two decades on charges ranging from burglary to facilitating the trafficking of controlled substances) who the AOC hired in July 2007 as a pre-trial officer while he was still on parole.

Assigned to the Lexington-Fayette Detention Center, Baker met with new inmates, reviewed their records and made bond recommendations to judges.

He was also stationed at the Fayette County courthouse where he worked in a program that involved drug screening of defendants who will be released with electronic monitoring.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/857092.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/857092.html Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:37 EDT
In addition to the other services these two organizations provide for the state's counties and cities, both offer various forms of insurance to their respective members.

And as recent Herald-Leader stories have detailed, KACo and the League have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the last few years on travel, entertainment and gifts.

Put these circumstances together, and there is reason for state insurance officials to step in and make sure the portion of the two organizations' wining and dining that benefited officials of their member local governments did not take the form of improper inducements designed to influence those local governments' decisions concerning insurance.

As the recent articles have detailed, both KACo and the League have been rather cavalier about justifying all their entertainment and travel expenses.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/855947.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/855947.html Wed, 08 Jul 2009 01:49 EDT
That honor falls to Mississippi.

But, truth to tell, there's nothing to be proud of, not for Kentucky, not for any state. Colorado scores the best in the results compiled by the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with 18.9 percent close to one in five of adults considered obese. In Kentucky, it's 29 percent, or almost one in three. Mississippi, for the record, is at 32.5 percent.

But there is no comfort in this data. It only reconfirms what we already know, that obesity is epidemic in this country, as are the related health problems, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

If epidemic sounds strong consider this: As recently as 2000, there was no state where as many as 25 percent of adults were considered obese; in 2007 over half the states claimed that distinction.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/854756.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/854756.html Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:48 EDT
The owners of The Red Mile, interested in developing a portion of their landmark property in the heart of Lexington, chose to talk with the community about their plans long before they were set in stone. They talked several times and listened to concerns about how building in an area that is now parking lots, stables and open space might affect the neighbors and the community.

Good for them. There are a lot of steps to go before 68 acres now zoned for agricultural use gets the nod for a residential and commercial development but the beginning is very encouraging.

The harness track has struggled for years as Thoroughbred racing overtook it in popularity and racing in general competed with more and newer forms of entertainment. With additional revenue from casino or slots gambling still in legislative limbo, it's no surprise the owners are looking for additional ways to generate revenue.

It is surprising, and gratifying, that they were willing to hear and consider community concerns and suggestions as their plans took shape.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/852858.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/852858.html Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:57 EDT
No, we're not presuming to suggest language to be included in the reports state Auditor Crit Luallen's office will release after completing what are expected to be lengthy audits of the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky League of Cities.

We're quoting from a 1993 review of KACo conducted by then-Auditor Ben Chandler's office specifically, the portion relating to travel and entertainment expenses to explain why Kentuckians might have experienced a feeling of deja vu last week while reading Herald-Leader stories on KACo's current excesses.

Of course, when you look back at that audit, you realize the folks running the organization at the time were nickel-and-dimers compared to today's in crowd.

The 1993 review found that seven KACo officials ran up about $19,000 in travel and entertainment expenses during 1992.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/851015.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/851015.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:50 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/851014.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/851014.html Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:50 EDT
Nicholasville-based R.J. Corman Railroad Group is proposing a dinner train that will take off from behind Rupp Arena and make a circuit to the Frankfort area. It could start running as soon as early next year.

A Los Angeles area movie theater developer, drawn to the Bluegrass by an interest in Thoroughbred horses, is proposing a $70 million development on Angliana Avenue to include a multi-plex, bowling alley, retail (including a supermarket), restaurants and apartments.

Merchants and property owners on the block of Mill Street between Main and Short are advocating to speed up a proposal in the downtown streetscape plan to close the street to automobiles to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. More community input will be needed on this plan, but it is encouraging that some consensus is building.

Relocation of Dudley's restaurant from Maxwell Street to Short Street across from Cheapside would add a stable, longtime restaurateur to the mix to further enliven an area attracting entertainment outlets. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/849845.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/849845.html Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:22 EDT
No one's owning up to authorship of an amendment that was added to the state budget during the recent special legislative session.

The amendment appears to be a favor for a company that federal prosecutors say served as a channel for illegal payments from road-building magnate Leonard Lawson to former state Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert.

Lawson and Nighbert are co-defendants accused of rigging road bids worth $130 million. Federal prosecutors allege that Lawson, a big contributor to political campaigns, is a silent owner of the company, Utility Management Group, which operates water and sewer utilities.

Last year the board of the Mountain Water District, a water and sewer utility in Pike County, terminated a five-year $34 million contract with UMG. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/848612.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/848612.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:51 EDT
Republicans in Congress, and a smattering of Democrats, are betting that we are that selfish and shortsighted.

The climate-change bill that squeaked out of the House last week is, if anything, too weak. But at least it's a start.

And that's an overdue change after years of inaction and ignoring the science that predicts catastrophe if we do not reduce the industrial emissions that are causing a rapid acceleration in warming of Earth's surface and atmosphere.

Kentucky should be proud that two of its representatives Democrats Ben Chandler of Versailles and John Yarmuth of Louisville voted to put the country on track toward a more responsible energy mix.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/848613.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/848613.html Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:51 EDT
A 1993 opinion from the state attorney general's office declared KACo to be a public agency because it received at least 25 percent of its revenue from public sources.

As a public agency, KACo is subject to state statutes regarding public records and public meetings.

Common sense suggests the League, so similar to KACo in most respects, also is a public agency subject to those same statutes. If the revenue KACo receives from county governments defines its public status, it stands to reason that the revenue the League receives from city governments makes it just as public.

But common sense and reason seem to have deserted the League, as indicated by the lavish compensation packages and travel and entertainment expenses detailed in recent Herald-Leader stories. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847469.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847469.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:45 EDT
Taxpayers have every right to be outraged, especially since little documentation or justification were required for the lavish meals, posh hotels and gifts.

KACo is governed by a board made up of elected county officials. Some board members who should have been blowing the whistle couldn't because their mouths were full of the fruits of unchecked credit-card spending.

Spencer County Judge-Executive David Jenkins, for example, charged $20,000 last year during his term as KACo president, including $464 at the Belterra Casino and its restaurants in Indiana and more than $15,000 at other bars and restaurants.

Someone should have realized that Jenkins' spending was out of line. His predecessor, Shelby County Magistrate Tony Carriss, charged $1,473 on his KACo credit card during his year in office. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847468.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847468.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:45 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847467.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847467.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:45 EDT
Spend that at a table for 10, and you're talking one helluva feast that better include some darn fine champagne and single-barrel bourbon.

But fill a banquet room with 100 people, and you drop down into the category of somewhat pricey fine dining.

Add another 100 people to the room, and you're getting closer to a bargain.

Similar context would be necessary to put the bill for several other KACo meals costing from $4,800 to $7,083 in proper perspective. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847466.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/847466.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:45 EDT
Larry Dale Keeling's Sunday column incorrectly said that Patrick Neely, executive director of Kentucky Equine Education Project, was once an aide to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell. He had only volunteered in McConnell campaigns.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/845399.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/845399.html Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:56 EDT
This is one point on which research and common sense converge. The only way to improve outcomes is to improve instruction.

No amount of spending or reductions in student-teacher ratios can make up for ineffective teaching.

Proven ways to improve teaching are detailed in a 2007 study, "How the World's Best-Performing School Systems Come Out On Top."

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence recently heard from one of the authors, Sir Michael Barber, whose findings would make a fine starting point for the task force that Gov. Steve Beshear is recruiting to develop post-KERA reforms.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/844517.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/844517.html Sat, 27 Jun 2009 01:55 EDT
The Urban County Council passed a budget Thursday night that trims Lexington-Fayette County's operations while retaining services in some critical areas and maintaining momentum in others.

City employees won't be happy they're getting a microscopic 1 percent raise while the number of people on the payroll shrinks by 95 (only through attrition, no layoffs).

But that's, frankly, pretty good considering that unemployment is on the increase throughout Kentucky, including here, and many who still have jobs have seen pay cuts and unpaid furloughs.

Social services was spared the 9 percent expense cut that fell on many city divisions. That's the right decision. The demand for social services is increasing everywhere as families struggle to stay in their homes and keep food on the table.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/843310.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/843310.html Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:36 EDT
If you live below one of the thousands of forgotten dams that are part of coal's legacy, including one that threatened 150 homes in Letcher County earlier this month, your ideas might differ from those of the 18,000 Kentuckians employed by the industry.

A non-profit economic development organization, the Berea-based Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, set out to calculate coal's effect on the state budget, using methodology originated almost 30 years ago by the Legislative Research Commission.

Conclusion: Coal is a parasite on the state budget.

In 2006, state government spent $115 more on services and programs for the coal industry and those to whom it provides jobs than it collected in taxes from them.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/841957.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/841957.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:37 EDT
Meet they did, but the stretch will be a little harder for most taxpayers. Top among those who won't suffer too much is the General Assembly.

Gov. Steve Beshear's recommendation for trimming the legislative budget by $6.1 million was slashed by the General Assembly to $2.6 million.

And, although it's not directly related to the budget passed this week, House Speaker Greg Stumbo has authorized $230,000, not including furniture and electronics, to renovate offices so House members won't be so cramped when they're in town.

(In one of the stranger turns of phrase in a memo, the man who oversees legislative office space, Legislative Research Commission director Robert Sherman, wrote to Stumbo it would be a shame to allow "valuable office space in Frankfort to remain fallow for want of a coat of paint." That's some pricey paint.)]]> http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/841956.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/841956.html Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:51 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/840860.html http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/840860.html Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:53 EDT
Schools that are older than 40 years and have never been renovated have declined in number from 125 to 18.

Schools needing replacement or renovation have been reduced from 36 percent to 13 percent.

You could reasonably conclude that Kentucky's school construction program is working pretty well, based on the past 16 years of progress as detailed by the state Department of Education.

School-building priorities are decided through a public process at the local level with state oversight. An equalization formula supplements local property taxes with state dollars based on a district's need.]]>