Getting to know the candidates

On Nov. 4, Trimble voters will head to the polls to cast their ballot for commissioners in both Milton and Bedford, as well as three of the five seats on the local school board.

The Trimble Banner offered each of these candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves and their platforms via questionnairs. Their responses follow.

Bedford City Commission

Harold Greene, incumbent

Immediate family: Wife: Norma Greene, Daughter Paula Williams; son: Steven Greene; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Education/Employment background: High school, farmer, employed by Dow Corning Corp. for 22 1/2 years, commissioner of Bedford and appraiser for Master Commissioner

Previous elected offices held: City commissioner of Bedford

What do you consider the most important issue to the office you are seeking? Honesty, communication and good service.

What makes you the best candidate? I have tried to be a good servant at all times, honest in all areas and do my best to understand all problems.

Darrell Harmon, incumbent

Immediate family: Joanne, Darrell Harmon, Cindy Richmond, Darlene Blackfort, Darra Smith

Education/Employment background: High school, frontline management course G.E., M.T.S. school G.E.

Previous elected offices held: Bedford commissioner

What do you consider the most important issue to the office you are seeking? Keep city clean; keep taxes low; keep up sidewalks and streets; keep sewers up to date to meet all state and federal mandates; do good job on snow removal; keep our city safe for everyone

What makes you the best candidate? We have turned the city around financially since I was elected. The sewer system has been updated in every way. We have run new sewer lines to nursing home and Good News Home and updated chlorine house and tank and all lift stations. All of this, without raising sewer rates and I could go on and on. We have also taken ownership of Bedford I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Tax money will not be used to manage the cemetery.

Todd Pollock, challenger

Immediate family: I am divorced. I have children. Antonia, Johnny, and Joe Pollock

Education/Employment background: Trimble County High School class of 1987, I am employed by North American Stainless since 2003. Previous owner of Todd’s Pizza in Bedford from 1990-1998. Past Master of Bedford Masonic Lodge F & A M # 158

Previous elected offices held: City Commissioner in Bedford

What do you consider the most important issue to the office you are seeking? I believe the most important issue for me would be the community center. I was a city commissioner at the time it was built. I would like to take part in some of the great programs already going on there. In addition, if it’s possible I would like to add to that by creating more sporting activities for the young people in our county.

What makes you the best candidate? I would persuade people to vote for me because I understand what being a city commissioner means to the individuals who make up our great town. I am willing to listen to your concerns and discuss those issues with the other members of the commission so that the people of Bedford will get the most out of their public servants. Something that makes me a great choice is that I do love our town. The people in this town are good people and helping one another is one of our greatest assets. I believe that is what makes our town so special. If I am elected to serve the people, I will put forth every possible effort to ensure that everyone is given the chance to speak their mind.

Brenda S. Terry, challenger

Immediate family: Spouse, Paul S. Terry; children, Tilina Gross, Allen Gross and Tawanya Hammond; grandchildren, Dustin Gross, Lauren Gross, Nickolas Gross and Breanna Cornetet

Education/Employment background: High school completed, computer operator, many classes and on hands training through out the many years of public services.

Previous elected offices held: Bedford City Commissioner for four years

What do you consider the most important issue to the office you are seeking? Being loyal and truthful to the residents of the city of Bedford. Taking the time to listen to them whether I can help with their problem or not. To always remember we work for the public.

What makes you the best candidate? I feel I will be a great asset to our city as I know I am a loyal and truthful person. I will listen to you and your concerns regarding problems in the city. I will be there for you, the public, I also have over 30 years experience working for the public.

Milton City Commission

Denny C. Jackson, incumbent

Immediate family: Wife, Fritz; children, Byron, Ryan and Jenna

Education/Employment background: Ba from Morehead State University; MS Indiana University. Currently teach at Switzerland County High School

Previous elected offices held: Milton City Commissioner

What do you consider the most important issue to the office you are seeking? In today’s economic climate, cities across the state need to watch their budgets while providing the citizens the services that they pay for.

What makes you the best candidate? Experienced and one who watches the city coffers closely. A very fair and balanced commissioner.

School Board District 1

Tracy L. Creech, challenger

Immediate family: My wife’s name is Donna R. Creech. I have two sons, Christopher A. Creech, age 15, and Joshua M. Creech, age 11.

Education/Employment background: I have a high school education,plus 3 years electronic school and retired 30 years service from Ford Motor Co. I am now a full time farmer.

Previous elected offices held: I was on the Board of Directors of Auto Truck Federal Credit Union.

What do you consider is the most important issue to the office you are seeking? I would like to see all Trimble County Children be offered the best possible Education that could be offered.All children should be well educated in order to prosper in this day and age in which we live.

What makes you the best candidate? I would stand for equality for every child. I have experience owning a business and I have experience raising children.

Kim Temple, incumbent

Immediate family: My husband, of 18, lovely years is Bob Temple, who is a farmer and also the jailer of Trimble County. We have two wonderful children – Quenton and Katelyne. Quenton, our son, is 17-years-old and is a senior at Trimble County High School. He enjoys four-wheeling, working on the farm and playing baseball and basketball. Katelyne (nicknamed Fred), our daughter, is 14-years-old and is a freshman at Trimble County High School. Katelyne enjoys working with the animals on the farm, especially her horses, and also enjoys playing basketball and softball for the high school teams.

Education/Employment background: I graduated from Aurora High School in Indiana in 1976. From there I attended college at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, receiving my B.A. degree in Elementary Education. After graduating from Hanover, I pursued my B.S. degree at Indiana University Southeast, in the field of education.

I have been employed with the Switzerland County School Corporation in Vevay, Indiana for the last 28 years. I have taught grades 1-4 and also grade 6. Currently I am teaching sixth graders about their wonderful world of Social Studies.

Previous elected offices held: I have been the school board member for district 1 for the last 1-½ years. Before this, I assisted my husband, Bob, as his female deputy jailer for the Trimble County court system.

What do you consider is the most important issue to the office you are seeking? The most important issue to the office that I am seeking is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to receive a quality education. From the time a student enters a school system, whether it be a head start program or as kindergarten classroom, all children are entitled to receive a quality education. These primary years are of great importance, as children gain a foundation to build upon. As each year progresses, more challenges face our young people and it is the job of educators and school staff to work with these children to help them overcome and achieve success.

As children grow and move out of the elementary environment, he/she then becomes familiar with middle school. Here many children are at an awkward stage in their lives – some wishing to still be “young at heart,” while others can’t wait to mature. Here students need lots of love and attention. They need staff and teachers who listen to their concerns. Their bodies are changing and they seem lost at times. These are delicate years, however by working together with parents, students and staff, these children, again, can have success.

Finally, children move to the high school. Here, new challenges arise. Children now are focused on boy/girl relationships and driving. Some students may seem overwhelmed with college, technical or other schooling after graduating. Here is a time where teachers and staff work individually with students, trying to make sure that all are on the right track of learning, ultimately achieving success.

Through all these years of education it is vital that teachers, staff, parents and students work together. Sometimes things may seem difficult, however, through constant focus, progress can be made. By working with the Board of Education and the superintendent, we can assure the public that children in Trimble County are receiving a quality education for all.

What makes you the best candidate? I feel that I am a good candidate for the school board position for District 1 because of my years as an educator, as well as having two children currently involved in the school district. I have been an educator, teaching children, for the past 28 years. I have taught at the elementary level, the middle school level and have also participated in some of the high school programs. I feel that I can bring to the board issues and concerns from citizens in my district that need addressing. As an educator and parent, I feel that I can be an advocate, helping to voice your concerns to a level where help can be achieved. I feel that I am a good listener and a person that you can trust and speak to no matter the issue. I am honest and true, someone that you can rely on in your time of need. Whether it be concerns that you bring to me or words of celebration of successes, I will try to help you in any way and bring those issues, always, to the board.

Bob Scott, challenger

Immediate family: Wife, Carmella Scott, son Joe Scott and Sara Scott, grandchild.

Education/Employment background: Stivers High School, Dayton, Ohio; retired General Motors

Previous elected offices held: Union representative before retirement

What do you consider is the most important issue to the office you are seeking? Whosoever is placed into the office of the school board needs to focus more on the needs of the pupils and the most qualified teachers to educate them. Education is priority one. Taxes need to be curtailed until the economy gets better for our community and the Commonwealth.

What makes you the best candidate? Before retirement, served on the exewcutive boards of the United Way, Dayton Boys Club and the regional IUE-CIO conference board. After retirement, served on both park boards and served as chairman of the ethics board for Trimble County.

School Board District 5

Scott Burrows, incumbent

Immediate family: my wife Nancy (Pettit) Burrows, formerly of Milton; one daughter and one son

Education/Employment background: I own and operate Burrows Garage a& Wrecker Service, the family business that has been in operation thru six generations. My daughter, Regan, is the office manager there and my son (a career fire-fighter in Lyndon) is a part time employee. Both my wife and I are 1969 graduates of TCHS, being in the last class to graduate from the old high school building.

Previous elected offices held: I am currently the School Board representative for District 5, an office I was appointed to in 2007, and elected to in last November’s election. District 5 is difficult to describe in words, but I’m going to try: those families living between Sligo and Morton Ridge Road; those families living between US 42 and the old Sulphur-Bedford Turnpike, those families living in East Bedford all the way to Cutshaw Lane, Hardy Creek, across the Little KY to the Providence Road and Ewing’s Ford. If you reside in any of these areas, I’m your representative to the Trimble School District.

What do you consider is the most important issue to the office you are seeking? There are four primary duties of a school board member 1).Promote public education 2) Provide fiscal oversight and management 3) Set district policies 4) Build leadership within the district. Each of these aspects is very important to both the students of the district, and to the taxpayers who support the system with tax revenues. The KY Department of Education places a heavy burden on our teachers and staff members, and it is not an easy task to prioritize the demands of the educational needs with the constraints of limited funds. Inflation is surging at what may in the range of 6.5-8% this year; our school district tax revenues will only increase about 3.4%.

A school board member must attend continuing education courses throughout the year, because of multi-faceted responsibilities the position entails. There is an unquestioned responsibility of each board member to provide EVERY student with a quality education. The money that your board, along with a very efficient staff, administers mandates that your school board member be qualified to accomplish those goals, working in a cooperative effort with the staff and superintendent. I have attended every training session that has been available to me since my appointment, accumulating more than the required hours.

What makes you the best candidate? I ask for your vote for several reasons. I take pride in my work, whether it is repairing disabled trucks, recovering accident vehicles or reading to Linda Ball’s first grade class at Bedford Elementary. The first two are financially rewarding, but the latter, sharing time with the youngsters, stimulating their interest in reading, is emotionally gratifying beyond description.

I believe in the vision that the district, and our administration, has for the future of Trimble County Schools. I would like to humbly, yet honestly, state that great things are in store for both the near and distant future for our students. I would like to continue to be a part of the team that uses integrity, creativity and sound fiscal management to bring those dreams and ideas to a realization here.

James V. Mitchell, challenger

Immediate family: Wife, Shirley A. Mitchell; daughter, Bridget Mitchell; son, James V. Mitchell, Jr., seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Education/Employment background: Graduated high school, retired from LG&E and has been a small business owner.

Previous elected offices held: None

What do you consider is the most important issue to the office you are seeking? One of the most important issues is to make sure each student has the opportunity to learn.

In doing so, we must make sure our schools have the best security it needs for students and teachers. There must be discipline in all school functions. This is one of the best security plans.

We must continue to stay on top of our financial needs. We must remember this is the most important investment we will ever make, when you invest in the children of our community. All of these children are our future.

What makes you the best candidate? I am a Christian, a family man and a small business owner. I enjoy working with children very much.

Candidates for Bedford City Commissioner, James Helm, Glenford Alexander and Frank Floyd, Milton Commission candidates Steve Brierly and Jerry Harmon and School Board District 5 candidate J.W. Sachleben did not return questionnaires to be included in the candidate profiles.