Thursday, February 04, 1999
Surveyor finally sworn in to office
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON — Jim Shumate was sworn in as Kenton County surveyor Wednesday, a day after the Kenton County Ethics Commission ruled there was no conflict in his taking the job.
Elected in November, the 33-year-old Villa Hills Republican had delayed taking office for a month, after a question was raised about a possible ethical conflict.
Former Kenton County Commissioner Steve Arlinghaus had raised the question, citing work that Mr. Shumate's employer, David E. Estes Engineering Inc., had done for the county, and potentially would do in the future.
On Tuesday, the day before Mr. Estes faced a deadline to take the oath of office, or forfeit the surveyor's job, he learned that the ethics commission had ruled in his favor.
“I personally have felt all along that I did not have a conflict,” Mr. Shumate said. However, he added he did not want to jeopardize his employment or Estes Engineering's contracts with Kenton County.
Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson said members of the ethics commission unanimously agreed that tak ing the office did not pose an ethical conflict for Mr. Shumate.
Before Mr. Shumate's election as surveyor, the job was held by Democrat Jimmy Williams, who is not a licensed surveyor.
“I wish the best of luck to Mr. Williams,” Mr. Shumate said. “It's really not a thing of me versus him. It never has been.”
On Wednesday, nearly five weeks after Mr. Shumate watched his fellow county officials take the oath of office, he was sworn in by Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd.
“I'm just glad that it's finally over,” Mr. Shumate said, as he accepted congratulations from his parents, Jim and Shirley, his wife, Stacy, and his brother, Greg. “Hopefully, this will bring closure to the matter.”
Mr. Shumate also thanked the voters and the members of the Kenton County Ethics Commission for their support.
While the surveyor's job has no official duties and no pay, Mr. Shumate said he sought the position at the urging of the Kentucky Association of Professional Surveyors. He said the organization thought it was important that the position be held by a licensed surveyor.
Before Mr. Shumate's election, as property issues arose, former Deputy Judge-executive George Neack, who has a background in civil engineering, did surveying work for Kenton County as part of his salaried duties.
“If my services are required (as surveyor), I look forward to fulfilling that need,” Mr. Shumate said.
“Anything major, we would bid like we always do, but on simple kinds of things, I could see us using (Mr. Shumate,)” Mr. Murgatroyd said.
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