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Inn buy top political story of 2007
(Paducah Sun, The (KY) (KRT) Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Dec. 30--Here are my choices for the top 10 political stories of 2007.
1. Executive Inn. Mayor Bill Paxton led an effort to block Bhupinder Singh from finalizing the purchase of the Executive Inn because of concerns about its condition and his management of the convention facilities connected to it.
It was more of a political story than it was a business story. The fight was fueled because Singh had not signed a contract for the 2008 quilt show, the city's premiere annual event that attracts 30,000 visitors.
The mayor proposed a plan under which the city would reimburse Singh for his previous investments, run the hotel for about a year and then tear it down and find a developer to build a smaller, more luxurious facility.
However, the city wasn't willing to pay what Singh wanted. Singh finalized the purchase and eventually signed a contract for the 2008 quilt show.
Singh continues to say he will renovate the facilities.
2. Graves school fight. The rejection of plans to build a new elementary school in Fancy Farm was one of the most contentious community battles of 2007.
It involved the governor, state board of education, the Graves school board, state legislators and more than 1,000 residents who signed petitions.
State officials said building a new school just to serve Fancy Farm would not be approved because its enrollment would be much less than 300, the minimum needed for a new school. The state said the only viable plan was a consolidate school to serve Fancy Farm and Lowes. The local board approved that plan.
However, the battle is continuing in a lawsuit filed by opponents who oppose consolidation.
3. Steve Beshear's election as governor. Beshear, a Democrat, was an easy winner over incumbent Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher. He won by reminding people of the hiring scandal in the Fletcher administration and a promise to let Kentuckians vote on whether the state should have casino gambling.
4. Harrison Yonts. In January, Yonts was convicted of wanton murder, drunken driving, tampering with evidence and leaving the scene of an accident for the Nov. 11, 2005, hit and run death of Nadia Shaheen. He was sentenced to 20 years without a chance of parole for 17 years.
The case gained public attention because Yonts left Shaheen on the side of the road to die, because she was a 62-year-old Egyptian graduate student and because Yonts was the son of a state legislator, Democrat Brent Yonts of Greenville.
Yonts admitted that he had been at a fraternity party and was drunk, but denied he was driving his car when Shaheen was struck.
On Dec. 10, his last day in office, Fletcher reduced the sentence to eight years, a move that was widely criticized as political and demonstrating a justice system that benefits those who are influential and can afford high-priced attorneys.
5. John Edwards visits Columbus. Edwards, a Democratic presidential candidate, visited Columbus after the town of 229 won an Internet contest, defeating cities including Los Angeles, Dallas and Seattle. The effort to win the contest was coordinated by Shawn Dixon, a native of Columbus attending law school in New York.
More than 1,000 people attended the rally at Columbus-Belmont State Park where the former senator spoke and mingled with the crowd for nearly two hours.
6. Jockeying in the 2008 race for Paducah mayor. The stage was set in 2007 for a major battle between incumbent Bill Paxton and long-time City Commissioner Robert Coleman.
The two have been at odds over several high-profile issues. It is expected to be a hotly contested race between two well-known Paducah natives from different parts of town.
7. Carroll Hubbard. Hubbard moved from Paducah to Mayfield so he could run for the 1st District state Senate seat that he held 40 years ago. His move came after he lost the 2nd District state Senate seat to independent incumbent Bob Leeper in 2006.
Hubbard, a Democratic congressman from 1975 to 1992, spent three years in a federal prison after being convicted of misusing his congressional staff and violating campaign finance laws.
His right to vote and run for office was restored by former Gov. Paul Patton.
8. Steve Doolittle and Van Newberry. When Newberry ran for judge-executive in 2006, one of his main commitments was to eliminate the county administrator position held by Doolittle.
A few days before Newberry took office, the out-going fiscal court approved a severance package for Doolittle worth $40,000.
Last summer, Newberry promoted a plan to file a lawsuit against Doolittle to recover the funds. A settlement is being discussed that would require Doolittle to serve as an unpaid adviser for the county.
Some have accused Newberry of seeking retaliation because Doolittle four years earlier had eliminated Newberry's position as county road engineer. Newberry also received a severance package after his job was eliminated, but said his case was different and that he was entitled to the pay.
9. J.R. Gray appointed labor official. Veteran state Rep. J.R. Gray was appointed by Gov. Steve Beshear to head the state labor cabinet.
Gray had represented the 6th District of Lyon, Marshall and one precinct in McCracken County for all but six years since 1976. He is the highest ranking official from the Purchase area in Beshear's cabinet.
10. Billy Harper's run for governor. Harper, a Paducah contractor, moved into the political spotlight by challenging incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher in this year's Republican primary.
For years, Harper has been a low-key, behind the scenes civic leader and supporter of political candidates. In 2003, he served as Fletcher's campaign finance chairman and helped him raise more than $5 million.
Harper had planned to run for governor in 2011, but decided to run this year because he was disappointed in Fletcher's performance. Harper finished third.
Bill Bartleman has been a reporter for The Paducah Sun since 1972 and has covered government and politics since 1975. The above contains his opinions and observations. Comments? Contact Bartleman at 575-8651, bartleman@paducahsun.com or at Box 2300, Paducah, Ky. 42002.
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Copyright (c) 2007, The Paducah Sun, Ky.
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