Jefferson County Republican Party

Heiner in Dead Heat for Louisville Mayor!

2010-09-04T18:22:00.003-04:00

Survey USA/Courier-Journal polling shows Republican candidate, Hal Heiner, in a dead heat in the race for Louisville's Mayor. The statistical dead heat shows the race at 47-45, with just two months to go.

Heiner said he is "thrilled" that the race is so close. Jefferson County has far more Democrats registered to vote than Republicans - a 59 percent to 32 percent advantage." Heiner further commented that he feels that this news just proves that his campaign is perfectly positioned to win in November."

To help us end decades of a good old boy system, click on Hal's picture to go to his campaign site and find out how you can help elect Hal!

Click here for the entire story on the Mayoral polling results.

JEFFERSON COUNTY GOP: LATEST CORDISH REVELATION FURTHER EVIDENCE ’20 YEARS IS ENOUGH’

2009-07-13T15:18:00.000-04:00

Recently, Dan Klepal of the Courier-Journal made it clear just how little concern Mayor Abramson has when it comes to the tax dollars citizens of Louisville have unwillingly shelled out to the Cordish Company. The Mayor supported the Maryland-based company’s claim that the $950,000 from a ‘forgivable loan’ could not be itemized due to its proprietary nature.

“The Mayor, continuing to carry water for the Cordish Company, has claimed that money given by the city of Louisville should not be itemized because it is a private matter,” said GOP Chairman Brad Cummings. “This shows a shocking misunderstanding of the circumstances. The money is a loan from the people and therefore the way it is spent is very much a public matter.”

“Why would the Cordish Company have a problem with releasing this information unless they are misusing the money loaned to them? Like we said a couple weeks ago, this loan recklessly awarded by Mayor Abramson allowed for gross misuse of the funds and Cordish’s lack of transparency makes it hard for us to believe they aren’t hiding something. It’s inexcusable.”

Mayor Abramson claims that the $1.8 million loan, which most likely will not have to be paid back, doesn’t require Cordish to give the city a detailed reporting. The loan was given without oversight by the Metro Council.

“Under reorganization, one of the Metro Council’s primary jobs was to appropriate funds and be a watchdog for the city’s pocketbook,” said Cummings. “Unfortunately, the Mayor has ignored this by signing a contract without any sort of approval. He then falls back on the limitations of the document he alone signed, the terms of which he did not run through the proper channels. This is another example of the Mayor coming up short and then trying to skirt the blame.”

“Mayor Abramson may have gotten away with this sort of thing in the past, but not anymore. We will continue to highlight his indiscretions so that the public will know how their tax money is being misused. Again, for the good of our community, the Mayor must step down after this term. 20 years is enough.”

CHAIRMAN CUMMINGS MAKES DAMAGING CASE AGAINST A THIRD ABRAMSON TERM

2009-06-30T11:00:00.003-04:00

We are a city of great culture, restaurants, people and industry. We have a proud sports tradition and a beautiful kindness of spirit. And in Louisville, with some hard work and persistence, the American Dream is alive and well. As a former struggling stage actor turned Jefferson County chairman, I can attest we truly are the “Possibility City”.

So it is because I love this city that I dare ask the difficult questions about our future, questions so many are asking themselves right now. And while I realize that to some folks my words will forever be seen as a partisan attack, I stand here as a fellow citizen personally invested in this community.

With the Mayoral elections being about a year and a half from now, we need to consider if we want 24 years of the same Mayor. As we work together, Democrats, Independents and Republicans, to make government more efficient and transparent, we have to ask if having a “Mayor for Life” is the best way to run our government. And with many bad marks on his resume in recent years, has Mayor Jerry Abramson and his administration performed at a high enough level to even deserve another four years of our tax dollars?

I ask the people of Louisville to let our Mayor know that 20 years is enough. Regardless of which political party wins next year and almost entirely because of his job performance, I call on our Mayor to step down after this term.

Over the years, there have been many holes poked in the Abramson administration. But because of his likability and the fear of crossing a powerful Mayor, he continues to win reelection by admittedly large margins. But this brand of entrenched politics is precisely what is wrong with our government at all levels. I will present to you today many examples of poor judgment and wrongdoing during Jerry Abramson’s years as Mayor of Louisville. Again, individually he has been able to shed these controversies. But presented together, they are not only shocking, but they paint a picture of a Mayor who needs to find a new line of work.

In his nearly 20 years at the helm of our city, have we become all that we can be, especially when compared to other cities of similar size and scope? The simple answer is an across the board no.

According to a study completed by Dr. Paul Coomes, an acclaimed Professor of Economics, Louisville falls short in nearly every measurable category when judged against 14 other comparable cities. When considering population growth between 1975 and 2005, we were 14th out of 15 and well below the national average. We experienced negative job growth in the housing boom years of 2000 and 2005 of -2.3%, ranking us 10th among the same group of 15.

Our jobs pay less. We ranked 13th out of 15 in average wages and salaries, below the national average by nearly $3,000. This dip below the average began in 1985, the first year Mayor Abramson took office. According to Forbes magazine in 2008, we now rank 72nd on a list of best cities for jobs behind struggling areas like Gary IN, Newark NJ and hurricane ravished New Orleans LA.

We also take home less from our paychecks. A family of three with a $75,000 income was hit with the 3rd highest tax rate among the list of 15. And among all cities in the US, we are the 5th most burdensome to families making $25,000 or less. That means our poorest citizens are more taxed than major metropolitan areas like Washington DC, New York City and Atlanta GA.

Yet our Mayor showed that he believes we should still bear more tax burden when he pushed for the library tax in 2007. No wonder this increase was resoundingly turned down by our citizens. We are already taxed too much!

My mother always told me that she could tell what type of person you are by the friends you keep and clearly the Mayor does not pass that test. The mismanagement of those closest to him is reason enough to question his abilities in the future.

Let’s start with John Flood. In 1997, this former Chief Inspector for IPL being paid $70,000 a year by the taxpayers was convicted on felony charges of check fraud, charges Gov Patton refused to pardon.

In 2003, Mr. Flood was hired by Metro Government after his wife Madonna was elected to the Metro Council. Unfortunately for Mr. Flood, he had to swear under oath that he was not a convicted felon in order to start taking a salary from the taxpayers. Undisputedly, he lied under oath and was facing misdemeanor charges of false swearing when he suddenly retired and all charges were dropped.

Dr. Gilles Meloche, the man overseeing the Metro Animal Services Department, has made an embarrassment of a community who very much love their animals. As an owner of two dogs, it sickens me to hear how low the standard is when our pets are concerned. According to a recently filed lawsuit The Louisville Kennel Club, v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government and numerous media reports, it is clear there has been much wrongdoing here.

At the Manslick Road location, Metro Animal Services was audited by the state government and found that 550 animals were living in a space made for 350. This is not an acceptable standard.

Under the leadership of Dr. Meloche, a man Abramson appointed and described as “the man for the job”, our city signed a contract with a disorganized and overpopulated AAA animal adoption service in a scheme to split profits without any oversight and without authorization.

Additionally, thousands of dollars in cash have gone virtually unaccounted for, much in the same vain as the housing investigation.

A Canadian by birth, Dr. Meloche is not a US citizen. Therefore, by Kentucky law, he is ineligible to hold his position as a peace officer. But this sort of legality is not taken seriously by the Mayor and Meloche continues to serve in his position.

This is a man who has shown a severe inability to communicate. When defending the Animal Ordinance, he admitted in testimony that poor people shouldn’t own dogs. If Dr. Meloche held his job in the private sector, these sorts of thoughtless answers would have him in serious heat. But not in Mayor Abramson’s administration.

And again, the Mayor chose to hire someone with a more than questionable background. Dr. Meloche was fired by the Durham NC government after only 10 months of working there. When employed by the Tallahassee-Leon County government, Dr. Meloche pleaded guilty to improper record keeping when 27 bottles of steroids went unaccounted for. On four occasions, employees wrote letters to officials citing mistreatment of animals. And once when he brought a dog home with him after work, it was soon found dead due to an overdose of painkillers.

He eventually resigned claiming political reasons. But with a record like that, it’s hard to understand why a first-class city like Louisville would hire Meloche. Since when has the trash of other cities been an acceptable game plan for our future? We deserve better.

Most recently, Planning Director Charles Cash and Regulations Director Bill Schreck were involved in a secret meeting of the Board of Zoning Adjustments, a meeting they knew was a clear violation of Kentucky’s Open Meetings law. In an email uncovered by Rick Redding at The Ville Voice, Mr. Cash suggested the secret meeting and acknowledged they would have to hide it “to avoid the public notice”. Mr. Schreck in a later email agreed with Mr. Cash.

This zoning case was to help a former Metro Employee get the correct zoning after the fact for a building he built without approval. Mr. Cash’s department incorrectly issued a permit when it had been previously denied.

As a result, the chair of the Board of Zoning Adjustments resigned and accused Cash of not telling the truth when he asserted the board knew about the building. Furthermore, Cash, appointed by the Mayor, was merely given a slap on the wrist for knowingly breaking the law. And just yesterday, a new zoning infraction was uncovered regarding these two loyal Abramson employees.

In a time when the Mayor has induced a hiring freeze and when many Metro employees are forced into taking furlough days, Mayor Abramson rehired two recently former employees in Jane Driskell and Rick Johnstone. Creating new positions for both of these former employees of the taxpayer, our city is now on the hook for thousands more dollars as we have to pay into both of their retirements twice according to state law. Were these two employees so valuable that they had to be hired despite the fact thousands of taxpayer dollars would be wasted? In a town of so many talented people, I suspect not.

Under the leadership of Kimberly Bunton, former Director of Housing and Family Services, and her predecessor Melissa Barry who happens to be Abramson’s cousin by marriage, $20 million in federal grants had been lost by the city. But as with many Abramson appointees, her shortcomings did not stop with incompetence.

It was uncovered by Dan Klepal of the Courier-Journal that Ms. Bunton had stolen nearly $2,000 from various funds, including the Children’s Welfare Fund, to give to her mother for personal expenses. She stole money out of the taxpayer’s pocket and only returned it once she was caught.

While the Mayor has an excuse for each of these hiring mistakes, it is clear with all of the facts laid out, this is a pattern of poor judgment and deceit that the people of Louisville do not deserve. Again, we can do better than this.

And finally, our Mayor has made business deals with outside corporations that are bad for Louisville and almost inexplicable in nature. For example, when dealing with the Maryland-based Cordish Company, the Mayor continuingly stuck it to the taxpayer.

We gave this out-of-town company a $1.8 million forgivable loan, originally intended for the Starks Building to expand 4th Street Live. When Cordish stopped paying their lease payment on that location, the money was allowed to be used towards what is now The Sports & Social Club and as long as Cordish operates a business in that space for 5 of the next 10 years, they never have to pay back that loan.

Additionally, we gave Cordish $2.5 million to plan the Center City project. While this money was officially intended to be used for marketing purposes, the parameters are so loose that the taxpayers of Louisville may be expensing Cordish plane flights between Maryland and Louisville and expensive client dinners. And worst of all, Cordish has the right to pull the plug on the project at any time and not be obligated to pay back a single dime.

We have also given Cordish $36 million in additional assets and loans towards the Center City project with no restrictions. While the original Center City claim was to make this a $435 million project, they have since cut that number in half and actually have no plan submitted as to what they intend to develop on this property, property they were given by Mayor Abramson for $1 a year over 149 years.

The parking lot at the Galleria was sold to Cordish for $2.7 million or $3,200 a space with no strings attached as to how they operated the garage. This is a garage we originally paid $6.8 million for and has been recently appraised at somewhere between $8 and $12 million. For those who would like to make the argument that we needed that money to help make up for a $20 million shortfall in the budget, they would have a point if the Mayor hadn’t turned around and bought another garage for $8.2 million at an astonishing $18,000 a space. Even in a good economy with budget surpluses, these two transactions make little sense and are extremely suspect.

But this is nothing new for our Mayor. During the first years of merger, Mayor Abramson made a reminiscently shady deal with Titan development, a former client of his when practicing law between mayoral terms. Another Maryland-based company, he gave Titan the former Naval Ordinance Station for $1 a year over 99 years with Metro Government only receiving 3% of the annual rental revenue, revenue Louisville owned 100% of before the deal.

Many other issues existed with this 2 person company in bad standing that could be detailed with more time, but to go down that road would ignore the principle violation. Mayor Abramson gave a very favorable business deal to a former client. This sort of ethical mushiness explains why the Mayor has been more than resistant to numerous good faith attempts by Councilman Ken Fleming, Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh and others to pass much needed ethics reform.

While this case against Mayor Abramson contains many examples of wrongdoings and poor judgments, it only scratches the surface and tells a small part of the story. Through his inexplicable actions, it is clear Jerry Abramson has taken his “Mayor for Life” nickname to heart and whether it has been debris pick up after storms, road maintenance or cronyism, it is clear he stopped serving the interests of the people long ago.

We will have a strong and spirited debate next year about the direction of our great city. But there is one thing we should all agree on as citizens of this beautiful town. 20 years of Mayor Abramson is enough! Please Mr. Mayor, if you’re listening, for the good of Louisville, step down. Don’t let your ego get in the way of a better tomorrow for our citizens. We deserve better than that.

- Brad Cummings

Watch Chairman Cummings on Kentucky Tonight

2009-05-18T10:54:00.003-04:00

Tonight, 2nd District Chairman Jim Weise and I will be facing off against Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Moore on KET's Kentucky Tonight. We will be discussing the upcoming 2010 election and the state of the Republican Party in Kentucky. I am excited to show a strong contrast between between the Barack Obama/Steve Beshear cradle to grave government and the Republican vision of less government and individual responsibility. Click here to respond to the show on our blog.

Please let us know what you think below. Building and supporting this party is up to all of us. Tonight, let's do it together.

Brad Cummings
Chairman
Jefferson County Republican Party

LOCAL REPUBLICANS FOLLOW PRESIDENT OBAMA’S LEAD ON TRANSPARENCY

2009-01-26T06:23:00.001-05:00

Local Republican Councilmen Ken Fleming and Hal Heiner, in lock step with one of President Obama’s core campaign promises, have introduced an ordinance today calling on Mayor Abramson and the rest of the Metro Council to increase transparency in Metro Government through a Searchable Accountability Website. The site would allow the public to easily see how their tax dollars are spent.

“I am happy to see leaders from the Republican caucus stand up for the rights of the Metro Louisville taxpayer,” said Jefferson County Republican Chairman Brad Cummings. “This speaks to one of our core principles, fiscal responsibility, a principle that a vast majority of Americans support.”

“Having recently published an op-ed in the Courier Journal pledging support to President Obama on common ground issues, I find much joy in being able to live up to that promise on day 4 of his presidency,” Cummings said. “After all, it’s just plain common sense. Would you be okay with your bank not sending statements to your house each month or not giving you online access to view your account? Then why should it be any different when talking about taxpayer dollars, especially with the technology now available to us?”

“I hope the Mayor and his fellow Democrats will see the wisdom of supporting this ordinance. The citizens of Louisville need them to join in this fight to make our local government more accountable to the taxpayers.”

KING JERRY JUMBLES BUDGET…AGAIN

2008-12-11T11:36:00.000-05:00

In what is becoming an annual event in Metro Louisville, Jerry Abramson has recently announced a major budget shortfall and just as regularly, he has let no one in on the process of how we got there or how we will get out of this turmoil.

“We should all be in this together, Democrat and Republican” said Jefferson County Republican Chairman Brad Cummings. “The last time I checked, the City of Louisville was setup as a democracy, not a monarchy. Unfortunately, this one-man band approach makes our Mayor look more like Napoleon than Lincoln.”

During a press conference that the Metro Council only received notice on one and a half hours before, Mayor Abramson laid out a plan to make significant budget cuts with little evidence of collaboration. While some cuts are understandable like adding furlough days or cutting the Mayor’s salary, putting public safety in second place or cutting projects that receive State and Federal matching funds seem to be unwise areas to trim.

“I’m not sure why every time King Jerry needs to make budget cuts, he seems to look at public safety first,” Cummings said. “In a time when we have heard about violence nearly every night, the last thing our government needs to do is create disincentives for our police officers, firefighters and EMS.”

“Furthermore, adding two extra hours to an EMS shift will leave our tireless workers even more tired. Our citizens deserve better than rescue workers too exhausted to perform their jobs effectively.”

But perhaps the most disconcerting part is the fact we have been here already just last year. This marks the second time in as many years that our city has found itself in a multi-million dollar deficit under Jerry Abramson’s leadership.

“If the Mayor had let the Metro Council and other important city employees in on the budget process and allowed them to help, the veil of secrecy would be removed and this problem would be owned by all of Metro Government,” Cummings said. “But because Abramson insists on keeping us all in the dark, we have no choice but to place this shortfall in his lap. There is NO evidence of a plan year to year and therefore our city simply reacts to problems instead of anticipating them.”

“Instead of making lazy and dangerous cuts like the ones to public safety, we need an efficiency study like the one Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh and Councilman Ken Fleming proposed a year and a half ago. Despite a high probability of success, our Mayor continues to shoot down this bipartisan idea in order to serve his political interests. “

“Likewise, we need to follow the lead of other Kentucky elected officials like Secretary of State Trey Grayson who has made his office completely transparent. If our city’s budget was easily accessible online and available to all citizens, we could more easily cut waste and hold our government accountable to how they spend our tax dollars. Perhaps then we would know the exact number in our ‘Rainy Day Fund’ and have a better idea of what kind of shortage we are really dealing with.”

“This is not leadership Louisville deserves. We can do better.”

JEFFERSON COUNTY GOP TO SEND 1,000 TUBES OF LIPSTICK TO BARACK'WORDS MATTER' OBAMA

2008-09-10T14:52:00.001-04:00

The Democratic smear machine’s most recent attacks on Gov. Sarah Palin call into question Sen. Obama’s judgment and his party’s thinly veiled sexist attacks. Yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama went beyond the realm of good taste when referring to the change message Sen. John McCain had been articulating since Palin was on the ticket. In response to that thought, Obama said “You can put lipstick on a pig. It’s still a pig.”

“It seems to me that Barack Obama and his surrogates want to denigrate Sarah Palin at every pass,” said Jefferson Country Republican Chairman Brad Cummings. “They lambasted her abilities even before her historic speech at the GOP convention; they dragged Palin’s 17 year old daughter through the mud despite her decision to choose life and even have questioned whether Palin was up to the job because she is a mother. The Democrats have been exposed for selling a false line that they support feminism. It is a double standard.”

Democratic Congressman Russ Carnahan when introducing Joe Biden said in reference to Palin, “There’s no way you can dress up that record, even with a lot of lipstick.”Of course, these statements are especially troubling after Gov. Palin commented that the difference between a hockey mom and pit bull was lipstick.

“Sen. Obama claims today that these words are being misconstrued,” Cummings said. “But in the context of what Congressman Carnahan said earlier and Gov. Palin’s speech last week, he should have known better. The fact that he isn’t apologizing today shows his hypocrisy. After all, this is the same man who said in the primaries ‘don’t tell me that words don’t matter.’ One thing Sen. Obama and I will agree on is words do matter.”

Clearly, the Obama campaign is running scared from Gov. Palin and needs all the help they can get. So in response to Obama’s obsession with lipstick and abiding by the Republican tenant of giving a hand up, the Jefferson County Republican Party is coordinating a statewide effort to send 1,000 tubes of lipstick to Sen. Obama’s campaign headquarters.

Please send all lipstick tubes to: Jefferson County Republican Party
232 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40202

DISTRICT 14 COUNCIL CANDIDATE HEUGLIN LEGITIMATE

2008-08-01T13:00:00.004-04:00

Recently, opponents have raised questions about the residency status of Bob Heuglin running for Metro Council in District 14. The JCRP wants to assure that Heuglin's residency status is not in question and that he more than meets the requirements to be eligible and elected as councilman for the 14th District. Phone and utility bills will show that he has lived at his current address since June 2007.

“We are proud to have a man of Bob Heuglin’s character and work ethic running as a Republican in District 14,” said Chairman Brad Cummings. “Unfortunately in this business, when your opponents like Bob Henderson and Norman Pepper realize they are outclassed on the issues that matter to the Southwest, they are left chasing their tails and trying to find dirt in Mr. Heuglin’s house. I hate to be a messenger of bad news, but Bob Heuglin is clearly a proud citizen of District 14.”

BOB HELERINGER TO ADDRESS ST. MATTHEWS ROTARY

2008-07-28T14:53:00.001-04:00

BOB HELERINGER TO ADDRESS ST. MATTHEWS ROTARY; WILL PRESENT PROPOSAL FORBALANCING STATE BUDGET AND RESTORING FUNDS TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES

(Louisville, KY) July 28, 2008 -- Bob Heleringer, candidate for the Kentucky State Senate in Jefferson County's 19th District, will speak at the St. Matthews Rotary Club's monthly luncheon Wednesday, July 30, at 12:00 p.m., at the Breckinridge Inn.

Heleringer will offer his ideas on balancing the state budget and restoring funds cut from many of Kentucky's social service agencies during the most recent legislative session.

"We can restore funds for services for our most vulnerable citizens without any general tax increases if we have the will to dismantle our bloated personal service contract culture," said Heleringer.

Heleringer represented the 33rd District in the Kentucky State House from 1980-2002.
The 19th Senate district runs from the Germantown and Audubon Park areas east along the Watterson Expressway to the Stony Brook and Jeffersontown areas and takes in significant parts of St. Matthews, the Highlands and Hikes Point.

The Breckinridge Inn is located at 2800 Breckenridge Lane. The hotel's phone number is 502-456-5050.

For more information, contact Heleringer at 502-314-2675 or Craig Harrington, Campaign Manager, at 502-314-3662.

ANNE NORTHUP HEADLINES JEFFERSON COUNTY GOP PICNIC

2008-07-23T09:02:00.001-04:00

Louisville - After a spirited reorganization, the Jefferson County Republican Party will show its support for all Republican candidates and officially unify under one banner at this Friday's GOP picnic. The 1st Annual Republican Round Up, this event will serve as the perfect opportunity for candidates to meet passionate grassroots supporters and party faithful as they gear up for their stretch run campaigns. The picnic will be held at Charlie Vettiner Park from 5-9 PM on July 25th.

"We are ecstatic about the idea of having Republicans from Valley Station to Prospect and everywhere in between gather in one place to socialize and get to know one another," Chairman Brad Cummings said. "In order to be successful this fall, we must forge a bond countywide and make sure Republicans know that no part of the county will go unnoticed by the JCRP."

Former Congresswoman Anne Northup will headline a list of speakers that will include County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw, State Senate candidates Doug Hawkins and Bob Heleringer, State Representatives Bob DeWeese and Ron Crimm, and Metro Council candidates Graham Honaker, Bob Heuglin and Dwight Witten. Many of the current Jefferson County officeholders will be in attendance as well.

While meat and drinks will be provided, everyone attending is asked to bring a dish. Last names A-H bring a dessert, I-O salad and P-Z vegetable or side dish. There will be activities for the kids and an auction including a Richie Farmer basketball, a copy of Faith of my Fathers signed by John McCain and Republican themed jewelry.

Council Candidate Dwight Witten Stands up for South Louisville

2008-07-11T08:26:00.000-04:00

Louisville – At last night’s Metro Council meeting, Southern Jefferson County was introduced to a dynamic new leader who listens to the concerns of his constituents. Dwight Witten, running for the District 12 Council seat against incumbent Rick Blackwell, let the voice of the grassroots voter be heard by standing firmly against an unnecessary bomb storage facility at Cardinal Hill.

“For years my beloved South End has been treated like a punchline of a bad joke, being used as a dumping ground for the cities unwanted projects,” Witten said at last night’s Metro Council meeting. “Recently, our city’s administration, led by Mayor Jerry Abramson, has shown not only in words but also in action its opinion of the residents of South Louisville by proposing the location of a bomb storage facility on top of our water supply on Cardinal Hill.”

Councilman and Senate candidate Doug Hawkins has led the charge on this issue since the spring and has garnered much support for his actions and his recently filed ordinance. Witten has heard the people in his district and has joined the call.

“It’s amazing to me that we are even at this point,” Witten said. “There is a tremendous outcry from all south Louisville Districts. We are completely united in opposing this action.”

The issue was brought up when Mayor Abramson and his staff tried to slip a bomb storage unit under the radar last spring. The decision was made hastily and without much input from other government agencies, most notably the Metro Council who voted to send Hawkins’ ordinance back to committee.

“For too long, our city’s Democratic leadership has taken for granted the hardworking people of South Jefferson County,” said Jefferson County Republican Chairman Brad Cummings. “These are the type of driven, responsible citizens vitally important to the economic engine of any successful city. Why Jerry and his cronies consistently ignore their needs is beyond me.”

“Perhaps it is time for Councilman Blackwell to step down. Dwight Witten clearly has the best interests of District 12 in mind and has been listening to his constituents. I suppose that’s what happens when you actually knock on their door and listen to their concerns,” Cummings said. “This issue is larger than the bomb storage facility. It is about how the South End of Louisville continually gets the short end of the stick in Metro Government decisions. The Democrats may take this part of town for granted, but as Chairman, I assure South Enders that the Republican Party sees the problem and will strive to be a part of the solution.”

In case you missed it…more hypocrisy from Bruce Lunsford!

2008-06-25T18:33:00.002-04:00

The Audacity of Hypocrisy: Lunsford Profits from Energy Investments
Lunsford’s empty rhetoric doesn’t match his personal financial decisions
LOUISVILLE - Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford made his third stop at a Kentucky gas station today, wildly attacking Senator Mitch McConnell, oil companies, and Wall Street for high gas prices. In fact, Lunsford’s campaign website specifically attacks “Wall Street” for driving up gas prices.

But a search of Lunsford’s financial disclosure filed with the U.S. Senate on April 17, 2008, shows that he has profited massively from personal investments in hedge funds that invest in oil and gas companies. At least until April, Bruce Lunsford was potentially making millions from oil and gas industry investments. Ironically, during the primary, Lunsford attacked his opponent Greg Fischer for having invested in Lunsford’s healthcare companies, which Fischer had criticized. Now Lunsford is blaming the very hedge funds from which he profits for the energy crisis.
The Kentucky political blog, Elephants in the Bluegrass, picked up the story and outlined Lunsford’s investments:

• Lunsford is invested in Goldman Sachs Capital Partners V, LP, an $8.5 billion private equity fund for "high net worth individuals." Lunsford valued his assets in that non-publicly traded fund as between $1,000,001 and $5,000,000. Lunsford's financial disclosure forms list GS Capital Partner V's investment as including: CVR Energy, Inc.; Knight, Inc.; McJunkin Red Man Corporation; SunGuard Data Systems, Inc.; and Cobalt International Energy.

• CVR Energy…operates an 113,500 barrels-per-day-throughput-capacity oil refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas, and a crude oil gathering system in Kansas and Oklahoma…

• McJunkin Red Man Corporation: Exclusively geared toward the distribution of industrial and oilfield PVF products…has a significant presence in the oil and gas industry…

• Knight, Inc. owns the general partner of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP), one of the largest publicly traded pipeline limited partnerships in America with an enterprise value of approximately $20 billion. KMP is the largest independent transporter of refined petroleum products in the United States…

• SunGard Data Systems, Inc., which acquired FAME Energy. SunGard FAME provides ‘data services to support energy traders, research analysts and risk managers of energy companies and financial institutions.’ Sounds like it helps the very energy speculators…Lunsford blames…

• Cobalt International Energy, LP…an oil and gas exploration and development company focused on pursuing…opportunities in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico and offshore international areas. Cobalt…wants to drill some of that oil that the Cubans and Chinese are extracting just miles from our shore. Lunsford recently said he opposes oil drilling off American shores…yet would profit from a company that exists to do just that…

“Maybe Barack and Bruce can get together and talk about audacity, because this is the height of it,” said McConnell campaign manager Justin Brasell.
“Lunsford’s plan to tax American energy companies and not expand domestic production, returning us to the failed policies of the Carter Administration, would make us more dependent on Middle Eastern oil. That’s wrong for Kentucky, and wrong for America,” Brasell added.

JEFFERSON COUNTY REPUBLICANS EXPOSE THE PELOSI-YARMUTH FORD PLANT HYPOCRISY

2008-06-20T10:42:00.000-04:00

Louisville – This weekend, Nancy Pelosi and John Yarmuth will exceed the limits of hypocrisy as they meet with Ford Motor Company executives after passing a bill that would further cripple the market for the Explorers made in their plant.

“We are truly shocked that Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Yarmuth would have the audacity to step foot into that plant after passing an SUV tax earlier this year, only adding to Ford’s current problems and further threatening their workers,” Chairman Brad Cummings said. “It would be like robbing a bank only to return later and open a checking account. It’s the height of hypocrisy to pretend they care about these dedicated people.”

Cummings is referring to the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act that wants to repeal a tax incentive passed in 2003 to aid auto manufacturers. The incentive was designed to help the struggling SUV industry by allowing those who purchase these vehicles to receive significant tax breaks.

“The American consumer is already getting hammered by record high gas prices. To punish them for wanting to drive cars with their family’s safety in mind doesn’t exactly fit into the Democrat’s ‘populist’ message” said Cummings. “It makes one wonder what the Democratic Party’s true motives are.”

Pelosi and Yarmuth promised common sense solutions to our energy problems yet the Democratic controlled Congress has done just the opposite. Since John Yarmuth took the oath of office just two years ago, gas prices have almost doubled.

“Barack Obama recently said that his only concern was how fast the prices went up. While that set off a red flag for a lot of Americans, Congressman Yarmuth and Speaker Pelosi stayed quiet,” said Cummings. “I think we need to look into why they are against drilling and other technologies like coal to oil. Is it possible they want $7-10 a gallon gas prices to reduce energy use? I suppose if that were my motive, I wouldn’t tell the American people that either. It’s an awfully hard sell.”

Congressman Yarmuth recently co-sponsored a bill that would take land away from oil companies, claiming a lack of effort to find new resources. However, most of these locations are tied up in litigation with environmental groups and when they do get to drill, 52% of the time there is no oil.

“For Congressman Yarmuth, maybe $100 for a tank of gas doesn’t hurt his bottom line. But for those of us in the middle class like the hardworking members of the UAW, these gas prices are difficult to endure,” Cummings said. “There is no doubt that we all care about our environment. But we can’t cut off our nose to spite our face. We must work towards the true common sense solutions of drilling for our own oil and exploring coal and nuclear options for the short term while investing in alternatives for the future. Then 10-15 years down the road, we can be completely free of oil without sinking our economy and ruining the American Dream.”

Chairman Cummings Calls on Mayor for Transparency

2008-06-09T10:07:00.001-04:00

Jefferson County Republican Chairman Brad Cummings calls on Mayor Abramson to follow Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s lead and make Metro Government expenditures transparent.

“The people of Louisville Metro deserve to see how their tax dollars are being spent through an online database that can be accessed through Google or any other search engine” Cummings said. “Secretary Trey Grayson has shown great leadership on this very important issue with Governor Steve Beshear recently proving to be a willing student of Trey’s vision. Our Mayor should sign up for the same class while seats available.”

Twenty four states including neighbors Ohio and West Virginia have started to put their financial figures online as a measure to earn trust and accountability with their citizens. With more Louisvillians going online everyday, this sort of addition is an extremely cost effective way to bring government and people closer together.

“Louisville should be a leader in our great Commonwealth but on this issue Mayor Abramson is allowing our city to lag behind” Cummings said. “It’s this brand of absent leadership that destroys the public trust and easily explains why our citizens voted down his library tax 2 to 1. They simply don’t trust our Mayor and the Democratic Mayorionnettes in the Metro Council to do what is best for Louisville.”

At the beginning of the year, Republican Metro Councilman Ken Fleming pushed for financial transparency in Metro Government. Unfortunately, the Mayor and his staff stonewalled the effort.

“It’s not that complicated” Cummings added. “You shouldn’t have to hide anything if you don’t have anything to hide.”

State Reorganization

2008-06-08T17:37:00.002-04:00

Thank you to the 60+ delegates from Jefferson County who made the 2 hour trek to Bowling Green for Saturday's state reorganization. It was very exciting to hear from our state leaders as we head into a very important election in November.

To me, the most shocking thing to hear was that the Chinese are actually slant drilling into our off shore oil supplies! It just doesn't make sense that John Yarmuth and the rest of his liberal colleagues don't get this issue. Fortunately, we have a very capable candidate in former/future Congresswoman Anne Northup to end his misguided tenure.

Below are the list of national delegates named on Saturday. I am happy to see many of our local party members on this list.

At Large Delegates:

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield of Hopkinsville
State Sen. David Williams of Burkesville
State Rep. Jeff Hoover of Jamestown
Faith Mercke of Louisville
Hardin County Judge-Executive Harry Berry
Dr. Michael Harris of Elizabethtown
State Sen. Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green
Robin Mercer of Owensboro
DeAnna Brangers of Louisville
U.S. Rep. Anne Northup of Louisville
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Louisville
Scott Jennings, former deputy political director of the White House from Louisville
U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning of Fort Wright
U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis of Fort Mitchell
Kevin Sell of Alexandria
Secretary of State Trey Grayson from Walton
U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers of Somerset
Cynthia Rogers of Somerset
Nelda Barton-Collings of Corbin
Kelly Knight, a United Nations delegate, of Lexington
Lois Ann Disponett-Hyatt of Lawrenceburg, the 6th Congressional District Republican chairwoman
Ellen Williams of Lawrenceburg, the former state GOP chairman
Michael Goins of Georgetown, a former spokesman for Gov. Ernie Fletcher
Lexington-Fayette Councilman Jay McChord

District Delegates:

Wilma Cooper of Hopkinsville
Richard Grana of Paducah
Dailey Wilson of Eddyville
Tommy Adams of Bowling Green
Greg Burkot of Bardstown
Theresa Padgett of Brandenburg
Harold Heiner of Louisville
Kevin Kramer of Louisville
Glen Stuckel of Louisville
Millie Bush of Brooksville
John Mocker of Union
State Rep. Addia Wuchner of Burlington
Jean Dorton of Paintsville
Jo Marshall of Somerset
John Triplett of Inez
Laura Owens of Frankfort
Carol Rogers of Lexington
Shirley Wiseman of Lexington
Members At Large:
RNC Member Gail Russell of Louisville
RNC Member (and Chairman) Robert Duncan of Inez
State Party Chairman Steve Robertson of Harrodsburg

Tired of High Gas Prices? Look No Further than the Democratic Party

2008-06-04T08:19:00.003-04:00

Whether it was President Clinton's veto of a bill allowing us to drill in ANWR or one of the four bills introduced by Republicans since June 2007 that haven't seen the light of day, one thing is consistent. Repeatedly, Democrats have stonewalled every common sense legislation on energy independence. So the next time you fill up at $4 a gallon, you can thank John Yarmuth and his colleagues for the dent in your pocketbook.

Kentucky GOP State Convention - June 7, 2008

2008-05-31T07:56:00.001-04:00

The call to order is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. The convention fee is $20. If you have questions, please call RPK at (502) 875-5130.

When: Saturday, June 07, 2008 1:00 p.m. CT

Where: Sloan Convention Center

1021 Wilkinson TraceBowling Green, KY

Who: Republican Party of Kentucky

502-875-5130

Jefferson County Republican Party Unveils New Look Website

2008-05-28T14:10:00.002-04:00

After a spirited reorganization, newly elected Chairman Brad Cummings and the Jefferson County Republican Party are unveiling the first of many significant changes as they head into an exciting 2008 election season. At its new address www.louisvillegop.com, the JCRP has launched a website that rivals the quality and accessibility of the upper echelon county sites across the country.

“We are blessed to have a dynamic blend of youth and experience, breathing new life into our organization” said Cummings. “This is a strong first step in proving to party faithful that the future is now in the Jefferson County Republican Party.”

With a frequently updated news feed, blog and events calendar, www.louisvillegop.com is a virtual one stop shop for all things Republican in Metro Louisville. Users will also be able to link to candidate sites, sign up for email updates, learn about volunteer opportunities and help the JCRP invest in local campaigns through monetary donations.

“Our county party has been infused with a diverse, talented and energetic Executive Committee built to help Republican candidates win elections each November” said Cummings. “We are excited about our ‘virtual makeover’ as one of many changes in store for our organization in 2008.”