March 16, 2010 — City council member Al Baldwin attended last month’s Kentucky League of Cities listening session in Winchester, and reported his findings back to council at its March 8 meeting.
“There were seven members of the executive board there of the 17 total,” Baldwin said. “I was surprised there was that many. I feel like there is reluctance on the part of several members to recognize the fact that there are problems. They seem to think that they’ve got everything corrected and everything is just fine. But they don’t have everything corrected and everything is not fine.
“Neal Hackworth was there. He was the deputy to Sylvia Lovely and he was in his position when there were significant problems that the Herald Leader and state auditor uncovered,” Baldwin said.
“I think given the opportunity they would hire him as the president and I don’t understand why he’s still employed,” Baldwin said. I think they’re making mistakes. I asked questions about the recall of board members and none of them owned up to that. There are some good board members like the mayors of Winchester and Midway but some of the people don’t have both feet on the ground. There are some clear thinking people on the board but they are the minority on the board.
“I wish that the KLC would issue some sort of report from the eight listening sessions,” Baldwin said. “I think they got an earful in several places. We have concerns that some of the board members do not understand that during their tenures mistakes were made they need to consider if they remain on the board.”
“I’ve tried to hold up for the league up to a reasonable point,” Mayor David Perkins said. “I think it is a big deal the public perception is it’s an organization run a muck. I suspect a number are going to be looking elsewhere for the services they received from KLC.
“We’re probably looking at double-checking our options for our insurance, making sure where getting the best value for our dollar,” Perkins said. “Some cities have done that and withheld their dues.
“Our neighbors over in Flemingsburg sent a letter of no confidence to the KLC but I think the issues are much wider spread than the board members think,” Perkins said. “Over time if enough communities lose confidence it will degrade the organization.
“They really need to pay attention,” Perkins said. “Apparently the guidelines for changing board members have to approved by the board members so it doesn’t seem very wise in its construction.
“If it appears their act is cleaned up we will continue the relationship but that’s subject to time and what happens, the days of business as usual just can’t continue,” Perkins said. “The principles behind the organization is good and they do benefit the cities but what is highly probable is that they could offer the benefits at a lower cost.
“My gut feeling is that they are a good organization but they just need to get their house in order and be open about what they’re doing,” Perkins said.
“Some of the insurances out there sense there is blood in the water and we’ve been contacted by two firms about offering pricing on our coverage,” Perkins said. “It never hurts to double check, we have a responsibility to get the best bang for the buck. It’s the city’s money, it’s not ours we’re just the steward.”
The KLC receives taxpayer money from cities in dues and provides them with a range of services, including legal advice, legislative representation and financing for projects or equipment and optional services such as life, health and worker’s compensation insurance.
The city’s latest bill from the KLC was $1,603.
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