Letters to Editor: Sierra Club endorsements, D. Clegg supports Fette for mayor, Neace supports Thomas


Sierra Club endorses candidates

The Sierra Club has endorsed several Northern Kentucky candidates for the Kentucky House of Representatives: Jesse Parks (District 60), Josh Blair (District 63), Larry Varney (District 64), Buddy Wheatley (District 65), Dennis Keene (District 67), Jason Kilmer (District 68), and Col Owens (District 69).

All except Buddy Wheatley and Rep. Dennis Keene are running against incumbents who voted during the last session for the Net-Metering or Anti-Solar bill. The bill would have destroyed rooftop solar in Kentucky and the jobs that come with it. Buddy Wheatley is running for the seat vacated by Arnold Simpson, who, together with Rep. Keene, voted against the utility-company-sponsored anti-solar bill.

“These are all great candidates and longtime friends of the environment,” Jeff Hampton, chair of the Sierra Club’s Northern Kentucky group, said. “We fully expect the utility companies and their lobbyists to bring the Anti-Solar bill back in the next legislative session. We need everyone who cares about the environment, our parks, and the outdoors to get behind these candidates.”

Founded by legendary conservationist John Muir in 1892, the Sierra Club is the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization — with three million members and supporters. Our successes range from protecting millions of acres of wilderness to helping pass the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. More recently, we’ve made history by leading the charge to move away from the dirty fossil fuels that cause climate disruption and toward a clean energy economy.

The Sierra Club

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Erlanger business owner Clegg supports Fette for mayor

Though I reside in Villa Hills and cannot cast my vote for Jessica Fette for Erlanger Mayor, our family business, Allie’s Walkabout is in Erlanger so, I am definitely a stakeholder in the November 6th election.

One of the primary claims of her opponent is that Mrs. Fette is not ready for office, that she lacks experience.

At 55 years old, I’ve been married 28 years, raised 3 kids, have two businesses; I have lots of experiences. Experience in government is about what you accomplish not merely the number of hours one spends occupying a chair.

In her short time on council, Jessica Fette has done far more to move the needle for Erlanger than her opponent has in his near decade and a half in the same position.

In government, you can’t do anything alone; it all requires votes; votes are a response to ideas. Someone has to lead, be out front, generating those ideas. That’s where Jessica shines, she is a thought leader and a learner. Her willingness to learn from people who know more truly sets her apart.

One shining example is the Stevenson Rd Story Map which she developed as a result of attending the Lou Noll Symposium. Stevenson Rd has existed for the nearly decade and a half her opponent has been on council. Only in the last two years has the needle begun to move, because of Councilmember Fette. She went to the symposium to learn, she asked questions, and her learning generated the idea to which others responded.

Another example is the Erlanger Business Council for which her opponent is now taking credit as his from 2003. True, there was an attempt to organize Erlanger Businesses in 2003 and they met two times. It faltered due to lack of leadership.

The current EBC, brought about through the effort of Mrs. Fette and a few key business people, meets weekly with 35+ business people in attendance. There is nothing quite as repugnant, in my view, as someone taking credit for another’s hard work.

Too often politics is tainted with attacks and insults, which creates tribalism and separation. Jessica Fette has resisted and risen above those tactics. She has withstood disrespect and insults from her opponent and others on Erlanger City Council with the grace and dignity of one worthy, ready and able to fulfill the office of Mayor of Erlanger.

It is my belief that Erlanger residents should move their city forward with a candidate who has the creativity and energy needed to lead Erlanger. Erlanger should reject politics of ‘attack and demean’ and affirm a candidate who builds and protects.

David Clegg
Allie’s Walkabout
Erlanger

Neace supports Thomas for District Court Judge

On November 6, the citizens of Boone and Gallatin Counties will elect a new District Court Judge. I am supporting Marcia Thomas.

I have had the privilege of being the Boone County Attorney for over 10 years. Marcia has been an Assistant County Attorney in my office for that entire time. My office prosecutes all matters in District Court as well as representing the County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky in any civil matters. Marcia has extensive experience in prosecuting all criminal cases and handling juvenile matters which can be troubling and at times heartbreaking. She has performed her duties magnificently.

Marcia not only has my support, she has my respect. | am fortunate to have her in my office and | can assure the citizens of Boone and Gallatin Counties that she has always represented their interests in a professional and highly competent manner.

Marcia is well-suited to be our next District Court Judge. There is no doubt in my mind she is the best candidate for the job and | hope you can join me in voting for her on Tuesday, November 6.

Robert D. Neace
Boone County Attorney


2 thoughts on “Letters to Editor: Sierra Club endorsements, D. Clegg supports Fette for mayor, Neace supports Thomas

  1. David Clegg has written an excelllent letter in support of Jessica. He makes a very truthful and accurate case for Erlanger residents to vote for Jessica Fette! Please keep up the forward movement of Erlanger with Jessica.. See more decreases in our taxes! Until our current Mayor promoted the idea of cutting waste and reducing taxes, the council never fought for it and only followed the leadership of Jessica’s opponent. Yet, the city has over 10 million in unspecified reserves! As Jessica stated in the last debate, “Erlanger residents deserve a tax break!”

  2. All of the NKY Democratic candidates well qualify for election to the state legislature. They will tend to the issues that affect people most- jobs, affordable housing, education, and a healthy safe environment. And they will bring balance to the lopsided partisanship we have seen in the legislature in recent years..

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