After the somewhat surprising knockout of longtime judge/executive Phil Carter, new judge Rick Blackburn seems like a transparent kind of guy and I know Schools Chief Katy Webb has turned out to be open. So all this is Blackburn expected to leave his job as Transportation Director of LC Schools as soon as he takes over as judge in January 2027.
Here is the word from Supt. Webb on the subject yesterday:
“…In regards to your question about Mr. Blackburn, I met with him following the May primary and he indicated to me that he intends to resign from his position as LC transportation director prior to assuming office as LC Judge Executive. Of course, the general election will still need to be completed as the final step in his election process prior to that.
Thank you,
Katie Hatfield Webb
Superintendent
Lawrence County KY Schools”
Why is this a good sign for the future of Lawrence County:
He doesn’t HAVE to do it. Nothing in the law precludes him from serving in both positions. Matter of fact Carter himself did just that during a previous one of his three terms. Got both checks with a deputy judge (Mike Sullivan?) who ran the govt while Carter kept his job as a “white hat” at Kentucky Power Co. It made for a lot of controversy about the county about whether that was ethical
So, with this decision, Blackburn is starting off doing the right thing. Now, will he have or does he need a deputy?
What do you think?
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I’m wondering if all the city council members will run for another 2 year term. Lots of reading and decision making for $100 a month. Sure am happy to see local citizens willing to do this work. Same for the BOE members.
Mayor Harold Slone earns $65K per year and has plans to run for another 4 year term. Haven’t heard any skuttlebutt about opposition but anything’s possible.
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I’m also wondering what the total effect of the ARC tax loss will have on the city and tax base because of the 500 or so layoffs. Think I’ll ask Lawrence Co. PVA Chris Rose. Add that to the closing of longtime businesses Sav-A-Lot, Walgreens and other smaller places barely hanging on during the Trump tax increase now. The heydey could be over without the long awaited KY POWER new business agreement that calls for a business or industry to replace the sudden decision to cut out about half its local capacity and sending it to W.Va.
They (KY Power) are supposed to help sell a portion of their former property to an entity that employs an equal number of employees that were terminated by the closing. That would help as long as it’s not a call center.
More coming soon…
