By Steve Flairty
NKyTribune columnist
For sure, criticizing politics and politicians is not a novel practice seen only in modern times, but it seems to be getting nastier and more widespread. Television, radio, and social media fuel the caustic tone—rightly or wrongly–for all to see and hear. Might citizens wonder, from this steady diet of negativity: Is politics purely the realm of a bunch of scoundrels?
Well, no, not really…at least according to some fellow Kentuckians I’ve asked about it recently.
Janice Winiger, Winchester, a retired public health nurse, has good things to say about local physician and Kentucky state Sen. Dr. Ralph Alvarado, from the 28th district. She likes how he has been proactive in the issues of the Kentucky Retirement System, the drug epidemic, and abuse of social welfare programs, among others. She especially appreciates a personal quality he has.
“Dr. Alvarado will listen to you and is very gracious with his responses,” she said.
She is happy that he understands medical issues, and can be effective in communicating those issues in Frankfort. “That’s what I admire about him. He is intelligent and has common sense. My concerns are not falling on deaf ears.”
Wilmore Elementary School teacher Heather Whyte gained great respect for three local politicians in Jessamine County. Several years ago, Whyte’s third grade class was doing research on local government.
“Students asked about Nicholasville and Wilmore,” said Whyte, an award-winning educator. “They eventually asked about who was in charge of Keene (a tiny town in Jessamine). I didn’t know and Google didn’t help me, so I split the class into groups and they wrote letters to Mayor Russ Meyer, of Nicholasville, state Sen. Tom Buford, and Rep. Bob Damron.
“Sen. Buford and Rep. Damron answered our letters and questions. They also sent copies of documents relating to Keene, including historical maps as well as a current map. They sent each child a coloring book that taught the process of government. Mayor Meyer came to the class and spoke with the students about government and answered their questions. I hadn’t been in Jessamine County that long and I was so impressed that these three men would take their time to address a third grade class.”
In the Jackson Purchase area of Kentucky at the western end of the state, Sandy Hart is a big fan of Bob Leeper, who was a long-time Kentucky state legislator, and recently has served as the McCracken County judge-executive.
“He takes time for the people individually and never uses charitable works for publicity,” said Hart. “Only one time, because of my request, he showed up in front of the media to help pack at ‘The Hugs Project,’ which is packing gift boxes for troops in harm’s way. When I called others and said he was coming, we packed the building with volunteers. He is truly one of the most caring individuals I have ever met.”
Hart also noted that “women from all directions formed a group called ‘Ladies for Leeper’ to get him elected over and over again because he fights for the people instead of the party.”
David Miller migrated from rural West Virginia to Lexington in the mid ‘80s to work for a large law firm. He soon met a memorable politician there while he was struggling to learn the ropes.
“I was in over my head,” he noted. “By chance, I was assigned to work with Foster Pettit, former mayor of Lexington (1972-78) and a lifelong Democrat as far as I could tell. My role was to do the heavy lifting of research and writing, and I was happy to while he did the rainmaking.
“We had worked together for over a year when he called me into his office one day. I presumed for another assignment. ‘Look at this,’ he said. He had grown up in Lexington and as a kid collected autographs from all the famous movie stars who had passed through. I looked down at a reasonably scrawled signature: Ronald Reagan. We had a good laugh at how far he, and we, had come. I never forgot Foster’s kindness and patience.”
I was struck by a classy post on Facebook a couple of years ago from Missy Bradley, Georgetown, whose husband, Mike Bradley, lost a hard-fought political race for Scott County’s judge executive. At that time, the Bradleys owned a local convenience store.
“Since the campaign began, there would be a winner and the one that lost,” Missy said. “As Mike and I wrap up the final campaign papers to be filed, we smile as we realize how much we did accomplish. So as I was busy helping the snow shoppers this morning, who should appear, but Judge Lusby holding a country ham. He smiled. We hugged and had a talk in the meat room.
“Mike and George each ran good races. Regardless of the outcome, we all have to live in this community and will continue to help in any way we can. Upon walking out, he placed his order for Mike’s Sweet Potato Biscuits that he gets each year. I gave him a final hug at the door and said that he will go down in Kentucky history as one of the finest judge executives. He smiled……so glad to experience such a journey as we took.”
It’s nice to know that there are still some highly appreciated Kentuckians doing the work of governing. Hope you’ll let me know of a sterling example of one you’ve known that I might share in a future Kentucky by Heart column.
Steve Flairty is a teacher, public speaker and an author of six books: a biography of Kentucky Afield host Tim Farmer and five in the Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes series, including a kids’ version. Steve’s “Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes #4,” was released in 2015. Steve is a senior correspondent for Kentucky Monthly, a weekly NKyTribune columnist and a member of the Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. Contact him at sflairty2001@yahoo.com or visit his Facebook page, “Kentucky in Common: Word Sketches in Tribute.” (Steve’s photo by Connie McDonald)