BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
We know the questions. Now some answers.
Jesus for judge-executive? Republican Boone County judge-executive candidate Gary Moore showed up on the front page of a newspaper this week playing Jesus in an Easter pageant at Florence Baptist Church, where he is a member.
Mr. Moore said he didn't solicit the newspaper coverage and didn't even know the media were present.
"This is the sixth year of me doing this and playing Christ," said the bearded Mr. Moore. "This is just part of who I am and something I've been doing for the last several years.
"That event was definitely about Gary Moore the person, not Gary Moore the candidate. Heck, I even did it when I was a Democrat," he said with a laugh.
Fair enough. But how would you react to the photo if you were running against Jesus Christ, a.k.a. Gary Moore?
While Mr. Moore is the only Republican in the race, there are three Democrats seeking the party's nomination: Boone County Administrator Jim Collins of Florence, Burlington attorney Mike McKinney and Richwood resident Don Davis.
Only Mr. McKinney chose to respond, and he did so tongue-in-cheek. "Many people have dressed up as Jesus over the years," Mr. McKinney said, "but few have played the role very well."
God will get you for that. Or maybe Jesus will in the fall.
Should that be pro-death? Funeral home director Ken Cooper, a Democrat running for Campbell County coroner, is running an ad in Fort Thomas Living stating he is "the pro-life candidate." Though he is obviously intending to say he is anti-abortion, his choice of words is a little odd for a coroner candidate, don't you think?
Where is Nolan rollin' now? Looks as if the hideously large campaign sign for Campbell County Judge-executive candidate Tim Nolan, done in a train motif and located in Wilder along the AA Highway, is pulling out of the station and headin' on down the line.
While Mr. Nolan, an attorney and former district judge, is itching to challenge Wilder's campaign sign ordinance, he'll comply with a request from city council to take the sign and hit the tracks.
"I have a great deal of respect for all of the people on Wilder City Council," said Mr. Nolan, running against Fort Thomas Mayor Steve Pendery for the GOP nomination. "Those people are the salt of the earth who volunteer their time, with very little pay, to serve their community. I've known some of them for years and I consider them friends," he said.
"So in deference to them and out of respect for the members and their positions as city officials, we'll move the sign. I don't own the property, so I'll move along."
Seems the Wilder City Council told the property owner that the 40-foot-long sign violated a city ordinance on campaign signs. "I'm not looking for a fight," Mr. Nolan said.
The question now is, where will the sign end up next?
"Oh, I think it will pop up elsewhere in the county," Mr. Nolan said.
All aboard for more controversy.
Who gets top billing? The Kentucky Gazette, a Frankfort-based political newspaper, has published the number of bills passed by each member of the Kentucky General Assembly in the recent legislative session. Here's the rundown on local lawmakers:
Rep. Royce Adams, D-Dry Ridge, four.
House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, D-Wilder, three. Rep. Tom Kerr, D-Taylor Mill, three.
Rep. Tom McKee, D-Cynthiana, two.
Sen. Ernie Harris, R-Crestwood, two.
Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, one.
Rep. Paul Marcotte, R-Union, one.
Rep. Charlie Walton, R-Florence, one.
Rep. Katie Stine, R-Fort Thomas, one.
Senate Minority Caucus Chairman Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, one.
Sen. Jack Westwood, R-Erlanger, one.
Rep. Jon David Reinhardt, R-Alexandria, none.
Sen. Gex "Jay" Williams, R-Verona, none.
Some perspective: In the session, 1,326 bills were introduced, with 551 passing both chambers. Rep. Marshall Long, D-Shelbyville, led the House with 20 bills passed, while Sen. David Bowsell, D-Owensboro, led the Senate.
.
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for the Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort.
CROWLEY ARCHIVE