Local race features experienced officeholders BY LAUREN P. DUNCAN lduncan@paducahsun Because both McCracken County judge-executive candidates share similar views on many issues and both have decades of public service experience, Tuesdays election could come down to a popularity contest. The race between former Senior Circuit Judge Jeff Hines, a Democrat, and Sen. Bob Leeper, an Independent, has been absent of attack ads while filled with shared perspectives. At several debates, the two took similar stances on how they would handle issues including taxes, economic development and the countys animal shelter operations. Its just whoever can get the most of their friends to vote for them, and I hope its me, Hines said while out campaigning door to door Thursday afternoon. Leeper isnt scarce on friends, though, as hes logged 24 years as a state senator. One possible issue is availability. While Hines, who is retired, has stated he plans on spending 50-60 hours a week working, Leeper has stated he plans to keep his chiropractic business open during the afternoons. Leeper said he plans to take patients for a few hours in the late afternoon, but if elected hell begin looking into hiring an associate to help operate the business. Im totally committed to the job of judge-executive, he said. He said hes received criticism that he should have never mentioned that he would see some patients, but he said he wanted to be honest. Some people will go to work and go someplace else after they leave the courthouse. Ill just be honest enough to say Im going to see patients, he said. I will be a telephone call away from whomever might need me. Its not like Im going off to never-never land. While both candidates say theyll spend the hours needed to serve as judge-executive, what sets the two apart is their backgrounds. Leeper has campaigned on his experience of working at the state level as making him qualified for the position. He currently serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee. If you look at the title of the court, its the Fiscal Court. Its the budgeting of the county, he said. My budgeting experience is absolutely appropriate and uniquely qualifies me for the job as well as my legislative experience on working on issues and building votes. Meanwhile, Hines said his legal background is vital for the countys present needs. Prior to serving as a judge, Hines worked as an assistant commonwealth attorney and an assistant county attorney. Current Judge-Executive Van Newberry and Deputy Judge-Executive Doug Harnice face charges of altering the countys zoning maps without following proper procedures. Hines said his legal experience would prevent him from making any legal missteps. I wouldnt intentionally do anything that would violate any statute, he said. Weve got ourselves into spending a lot of tax dollars on a lot of outside legal fees to try to decide what type of action should be taken surrounding these zoning issues. Neither Leeper nor Hines has said whether he would employ a deputy judge-executive. Hines noted that in the past the office didnt include a deputy judge-executive. Hines said he would evaluate the need for a deputy, and whomever he selects, if anyone, would be vetted by the Fiscal Court. Leeper said hed determine if he would hire a deputy after reviewing the offices operations. I want to see exactly what the job entails on a daily basis, he said. When asked if theyd consider hiring their opponent as a deputy judge-executive, Hines said the two hadnt talked about it. We should have talked about it before we ran, Hines said, jokingly. Hes obviously qualified, Leeper said. If he applied, Id interview him.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:30:46 +0000