Moore took trips at group's expense
By Amanda Van Benschotenavanbenschoten@nky.com
Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore has taken at least three trips during the past four years paid for by the Kentucky Association of Counties, according to records of the group's expenses.
KACo is under investigation by the state Auditor's Office following a recent Lexington Herald-Leader report about its spending practices.
KACo is essentially funded by tax dollars, since its budget is made up of dues and fees paid by the counties.
The group spent $600,000 on travel, meals, gifts and other items in 2007 and 2008, according to the report.
That includes at least $3,000 on two trips taken by Moore, according to expense records posted on the Herald-Leader's Web site.
In a statement, Moore said he often attends National Association of Counties (NACo) conferences and events.
"From time to time KACo has offered to cover some of this expense, saving the citizens of Boone County budgeted tax dollars," he said.
In early March 2007, he traveled to Washington, D.C., with a state group for a NACo legislative conference.
KACo paid $2,279.79 for Moore's five-night stay at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel, just two blocks from the White House.
The group also paid for his August 2008 trip to the NACo annual conference in Kansas City, Mo.
His Delta Air Lines flight cost $420. A note on the expense record asks if Moore should be sent an invoice for the flight; a second note says KACo would pay for it.
The group also paid for his three-day stay (and that of at least 22 other people) at the Holiday Inn Aladdin.
The Herald-Leader has reported that Moore's flight and hotel stay totaled $720. KACo also paid $7,000 for a group dinner on that trip.
Moore disclosed that he also traveled to Hawaii in July 2005 for the NACo annual conference. That trip was not included in the other records.
He was accompanied by County Commissioners Charlie Kenner and Terri Moore, then-County Administrator Jim Parsons, and some of their spouses, whom he said traveled at their own expense.
Moore said most of the trip was paid for from the county's training and travel budget, which is approved annually in the operating budget.
Moore said he used personal SkyMiles for his flight, and KACo paid for the hotel.
He issued three brief statements this week, but he has declined to discuss further details about the trips.
The issue was raised Tuesday by his primary opponent, Commissioner Cathy Flaig, who says she has never taken a KACo-funded trip.
In a statement Thursday, she accused Moore of "a lack of judgment" for accepting travel from a group that does business with the county.
Moore said Flaig is attacking him on the issue "because she has no real vision to move Boone County forward."
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Living the Dream from Falmouth to Washington D.C. - The Gary Moore Story
Here is Moore's statement on July 21st 2010.
"I have never accepted any inappro- priate or expensive gifts from KACo. I have serious concerns about the recent allegations against KACo staff and board actions, of which I have never been a member."
But guess what The Lexington Herald - Leader found among the expenses of KACo officials?? KACo had spent $7,000 in tickets to the 2008 Ryder Cup, hotel rooms costing as much as $550 including a 5 day stay for Judge Gary Moore at the posh Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. Gary's tab was only $2300 for the 5 days!!! According to Judge Moore that is not inappropriate or expensive!
"I have never accepted any inappro- priate or expensive gifts from KACo. I have serious concerns about the recent allegations against KACo staff and board actions, of which I have never been a member."
But guess what The Lexington Herald - Leader found among the expenses of KACo officials?? KACo had spent $7,000 in tickets to the 2008 Ryder Cup, hotel rooms costing as much as $550 including a 5 day stay for Judge Gary Moore at the posh Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. Gary's tab was only $2300 for the 5 days!!! According to Judge Moore that is not inappropriate or expensive!
CHAMPAGNE WISHES AND CAVIAR DREAMS!
...more reports coming soon!!
Board
KACO
Name
KACO
Credit/Cash
DIRECT
Title
Date of expense
3/3/2007
Amount
939.63
Vendor
WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Location
WASHINGTON
D.C.
Type of expense
HOTEL
Explanation
GARY MOORE - 3/1 $500.65 ROOM, ON COMMAND DIGITAL MOVIE $16.33, BEVERAGE $10.40, 3/2 $296.65 ROOM "GO OVER WITH BOB" "PAY"
Board
KACO
Name
KACO
Credit/Cash
DIRECT
Title
Date of expense
3/6/2007
Amount
1,340.16
Vendor
WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Location
WASHINGTON
D.C.
Type of expense
HOTEL
Explanation
GARY MOORE - 3/3-3/5 ($254, $458 X 2) ALSO IF KACO PROG BONDS NEED TO REIMBURSE
Board
KACO
Name
KACO
Credit/Cash
DIRECT
Title
Date of expense
3/3/2007
Amount
939.63
Vendor
WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Location
WASHINGTON
D.C.
Type of expense
HOTEL
Explanation
GARY MOORE - 3/1 $500.65 ROOM, ON COMMAND DIGITAL MOVIE $16.33, BEVERAGE $10.40, 3/2 $296.65 ROOM "GO OVER WITH BOB" "PAY"
Board
KACO
Name
KACO
Credit/Cash
DIRECT
Title
Date of expense
3/6/2007
Amount
1,340.16
Vendor
WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Location
WASHINGTON
D.C.
Type of expense
HOTEL
Explanation
GARY MOORE - 3/3-3/5 ($254, $458 X 2) ALSO IF KACO PROG BONDS NEED TO REIMBURSE
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 8, 2009
Boone officials clash over tax rolls
By Amanda Van Benschotenavanbenschoten@nky.com
BURLINGTON -
A political firestorm that has been brewing for weeks between County Commissioner Charlie Kenner and Property Valuation Administrator Cindy Rich came to a head at Tuesday's Fiscal Court meeting.
The two traded verbal jabs during a tense 14-minute presentation Rich made in response to Kenner's public criticism of her job performance two weeks ago.
It all began in early June with the revelation that this year's commercial tax rolls were projected to drop by $500 million from 2008.
Following media reports, county and PVA staff looked into the issue and discovered that hundreds of commercial properties worth more than $300 million were omitted from initial calculations.
The commercial tax rolls are now projected to drop by $200 million instead. The data is not yet certified.
Rich attributed the mistake to a computer glitch. She said the omitted properties were on the tax rolls, but were coded incorrectly in the system.
Kenner said the codes weren't wrong when he examined the software program. When asked, he couldn't recall when that was.
"There was no computer glitch - I don't buy that. I've got some serious concerns here, and some red flags are up," he said at the June 23 Fiscal Court meeting.
"They were all very high-end properties, things like Kroger Marketplace in Hebron and Meijer on Houston Road. That's a pretty glaring error, in my opinion. So I'd like to get to the bottom and see what's going on here, and proceed from there," he said.
Rich said she "was horribly offended" by his remarks, and he should have approached her privately.
Kenner said he began researching the issue just before the June 23 meeting and didn't have time to do so.
She attended Tuesday's meeting to defend herself.
"I remind you, Commissioner, I do not answer to this body," she said. "I answer to Boone County citizens and taxpayers only. I have oversight by the Department of Revenue. I am here for them, and not you."
"You should really know what you're talking about before you lash out at someone," she told Kenner.
She said he examined the wrong part of the program when he concluded the codes weren't the issue.
She also invited him to read aloud a July 6 letter from the software manufacturer that blamed "software idiosyncrasies" for the mistake, and she produced e-mails that showed the problem was fixed.
"If you really wanted to address this, you would have given me a report ahead of time like I asked for two weeks ago," Kenner said. "I don't intend to be a part of these personal attacks on me. I also answer to taxpayers - that's why I bring these things up, Cindy. Don't personalize this."
"I think you personalized this two weeks ago," she shot back.
Kenner, 55, also scolded Rich, 27, for her forceful attitude and for smirking at him.
"Laughing at me in that conduct does not become you," he said.
"Well, I'm sorry, Commissioner Kenner, but you started it," she replied.
Judge-executive Gary Moore abruptly ended the discussion without comment after Rich's presentation.
"I am focusing on keeping the court focused on doing the county's business, and not allowing the arena to be used for political purposes," he said.
After the meeting, Kenner said he was "absolutely not" convinced by Rich's presentation, but refused to elaborate.
"I have my reasons," he said. "...That's her version. I very much disagree with her version of the events."
Boone officials clash over tax rolls
By Amanda Van Benschotenavanbenschoten@nky.com
BURLINGTON -
A political firestorm that has been brewing for weeks between County Commissioner Charlie Kenner and Property Valuation Administrator Cindy Rich came to a head at Tuesday's Fiscal Court meeting.
The two traded verbal jabs during a tense 14-minute presentation Rich made in response to Kenner's public criticism of her job performance two weeks ago.
It all began in early June with the revelation that this year's commercial tax rolls were projected to drop by $500 million from 2008.
Following media reports, county and PVA staff looked into the issue and discovered that hundreds of commercial properties worth more than $300 million were omitted from initial calculations.
The commercial tax rolls are now projected to drop by $200 million instead. The data is not yet certified.
Rich attributed the mistake to a computer glitch. She said the omitted properties were on the tax rolls, but were coded incorrectly in the system.
Kenner said the codes weren't wrong when he examined the software program. When asked, he couldn't recall when that was.
"There was no computer glitch - I don't buy that. I've got some serious concerns here, and some red flags are up," he said at the June 23 Fiscal Court meeting.
"They were all very high-end properties, things like Kroger Marketplace in Hebron and Meijer on Houston Road. That's a pretty glaring error, in my opinion. So I'd like to get to the bottom and see what's going on here, and proceed from there," he said.
Rich said she "was horribly offended" by his remarks, and he should have approached her privately.
Kenner said he began researching the issue just before the June 23 meeting and didn't have time to do so.
She attended Tuesday's meeting to defend herself.
"I remind you, Commissioner, I do not answer to this body," she said. "I answer to Boone County citizens and taxpayers only. I have oversight by the Department of Revenue. I am here for them, and not you."
"You should really know what you're talking about before you lash out at someone," she told Kenner.
She said he examined the wrong part of the program when he concluded the codes weren't the issue.
She also invited him to read aloud a July 6 letter from the software manufacturer that blamed "software idiosyncrasies" for the mistake, and she produced e-mails that showed the problem was fixed.
"If you really wanted to address this, you would have given me a report ahead of time like I asked for two weeks ago," Kenner said. "I don't intend to be a part of these personal attacks on me. I also answer to taxpayers - that's why I bring these things up, Cindy. Don't personalize this."
"I think you personalized this two weeks ago," she shot back.
Kenner, 55, also scolded Rich, 27, for her forceful attitude and for smirking at him.
"Laughing at me in that conduct does not become you," he said.
"Well, I'm sorry, Commissioner Kenner, but you started it," she replied.
Judge-executive Gary Moore abruptly ended the discussion without comment after Rich's presentation.
"I am focusing on keeping the court focused on doing the county's business, and not allowing the arena to be used for political purposes," he said.
After the meeting, Kenner said he was "absolutely not" convinced by Rich's presentation, but refused to elaborate.
"I have my reasons," he said. "...That's her version. I very much disagree with her version of the events."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Judge Moore Waffles on Casino Gambling
Flaig brings gambling into race
By Patrick Crowley • pcrowley@nky.com • June 15, 2009
FLORENCE – The debate in Frankfort over casino gambling has landed in Boone County Judge-executive Republican primary.
Boone County Commissioner Cathy Flaig, who is challenging incumbent Judge-executive Gary Moore in the 2010 GOP primary, has made public her “concerns on the proposed expanded gambling legislation being considered during this special session.”
Legislators are meeting in Frankfort in a special legislative session that began Monday. One of the issues under consideration is legislation that will allow Kentucky’s race tracks, including Turfway Park in Florence, to operate video slot casinos.
Flaig said she has e-mailed the state legislators representing Boone County about her concerns that a $200 million casino facility in Turfway “could negatively impact the commercial property value” adjacent to the track, which is located at Houston and Turfway roads west of Interstate 75.
Flaig also said construction of the casino “may require tax dollars from the county for additional infrastructure (including) police protection and roads” and said she “encouraged state legislators to be looking at true tax reform and not further increase state government’s reliance on gambling as a source of revenue.”
Flaig also injected county politics into the debate by saying that “the public deserves to hear Judge-executive Moore’s position of expanded gambling since he is accepting financial support from a Turfway executive for his re-election.”
Moore said he has not taken a position on the bill because as of Tuesday afternoon, an official version of the legislation had not been filed in Frankfort.
“It is irresponsible to take a position on something before you read it,” Moore said.
Turfway Park President Bob Elliston, who is lobbying for the bill in Frankfort, is a long-time friend and supporter of Moore. Elliston co-hosted a recent campaign fundraiser for Moore, has contributed money to his campaign and has worked on his past campaigns.
“Bob Elliston and I have been friends long before any of this,” Moore said. “He was treasurer on my very first campaign when he worked for U.S. Bank. My connection with Bob Elliston is as a friend.”
Elliston said he has known Moore since 1986, “13 years before I became associated with Turfway Park.”
Elliston also addressed Flaig’s concerns, saying a casino will help the community and economy by protecting 250 jobs at Turfway and creating 750 new jobs.
Elliston said the casino is also projected to generate $1.9 million in tax dollars for the state, Boone County, city of Florence, the Boone County schools and the county library and health districts.
“The infrastructure in and around Turfway has been improved, and we have one of the most accessible (potential casino) sites in the state,” Elliston said. “This is a project that will generate jobs, tax revenue and private investment for the community.”
By Patrick Crowley • pcrowley@nky.com • June 15, 2009
FLORENCE – The debate in Frankfort over casino gambling has landed in Boone County Judge-executive Republican primary.
Boone County Commissioner Cathy Flaig, who is challenging incumbent Judge-executive Gary Moore in the 2010 GOP primary, has made public her “concerns on the proposed expanded gambling legislation being considered during this special session.”
Legislators are meeting in Frankfort in a special legislative session that began Monday. One of the issues under consideration is legislation that will allow Kentucky’s race tracks, including Turfway Park in Florence, to operate video slot casinos.
Flaig said she has e-mailed the state legislators representing Boone County about her concerns that a $200 million casino facility in Turfway “could negatively impact the commercial property value” adjacent to the track, which is located at Houston and Turfway roads west of Interstate 75.
Flaig also said construction of the casino “may require tax dollars from the county for additional infrastructure (including) police protection and roads” and said she “encouraged state legislators to be looking at true tax reform and not further increase state government’s reliance on gambling as a source of revenue.”
Flaig also injected county politics into the debate by saying that “the public deserves to hear Judge-executive Moore’s position of expanded gambling since he is accepting financial support from a Turfway executive for his re-election.”
Moore said he has not taken a position on the bill because as of Tuesday afternoon, an official version of the legislation had not been filed in Frankfort.
“It is irresponsible to take a position on something before you read it,” Moore said.
Turfway Park President Bob Elliston, who is lobbying for the bill in Frankfort, is a long-time friend and supporter of Moore. Elliston co-hosted a recent campaign fundraiser for Moore, has contributed money to his campaign and has worked on his past campaigns.
“Bob Elliston and I have been friends long before any of this,” Moore said. “He was treasurer on my very first campaign when he worked for U.S. Bank. My connection with Bob Elliston is as a friend.”
Elliston said he has known Moore since 1986, “13 years before I became associated with Turfway Park.”
Elliston also addressed Flaig’s concerns, saying a casino will help the community and economy by protecting 250 jobs at Turfway and creating 750 new jobs.
Elliston said the casino is also projected to generate $1.9 million in tax dollars for the state, Boone County, city of Florence, the Boone County schools and the county library and health districts.
“The infrastructure in and around Turfway has been improved, and we have one of the most accessible (potential casino) sites in the state,” Elliston said. “This is a project that will generate jobs, tax revenue and private investment for the community.”
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Hallelujah!! Both Moores (Twiddle Dee and Tweedle Dumb) Now Have Primary Opponents!!
The KY Enquirer is reporting that a James Bozman has filed to oust Commissioner Terri Moore. This news along with the earlier announcement by Cathy Flaig is better than Christmas and New Years for the Boone County taxpayers! Bozman, a political newcomer, has come out of the gate swinging by blasting Moore for her park tax support and voting for property tax hikes the last 2 years. Moore fired back by reaffirming her support for the park tax - Moore said the parks tax, which was defeated 2-to-1 at the polls, would likely have been passed by Fiscal Court. And here is the best part - Moore criticized her opponent's proposal to lower the tax rate below 10 cents per $100 of assessed value. The current rate is 10.2 cents."I don't think that's responsible leadership," she said. "The expenses have doubled since I took office." Then Commissioner Moore released the above video explaining her personal philosophy and convictions that she has always relied on when dealing with financial issues.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Gary Moore Polls Voters
This past weekend Judge Gary Moore's campaign conducted a poll to see just how unpopular he is right now. I doubt he hired his buddies at Brandstetter Carroll Inc. to do his poll because they were the group that conducted the park tax poll for the county and reported 65% of residents would support additional taxes that are dedicated towards parks and recreation. Big words like poll or pole can be confusing for the Judge so here is a cartoon to keep him from being confused.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Two Turncoats / Park Tax Supporters May be on 2010 GOP Ballot
It appears former Democrat Trey Grayson will join Gary Moore another former Democrat on the 2010 GOP primary ballot. Grayson, a possible US Senate candidate, is being exposed by our friends over at turncoattrey.com so we thought we would join the fun. Both Moore and Grayson were big supporters of the $48 million park tax increase. Grayson's wife is employed by Vision 2015 - the liberal tax leeching organization. Check out Mrs Grayson on campaign mailer for the Vote Yes campaign.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Convicted Forger Ed Moore hosts fundraiser for Judge Gary Moore
He is still on probation but he is back!! That is right the wannabe war hero Ed Moore is headlining Judge Gary Moore's upcoming fundraiser. This might just top the dumbest move made by Gary Moore since he passed a property tax increase that was later found to be illegal. Each attendee at Moore's fundraiser will receive a Jim Bunning signed baseball that was actually forged by Ed!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Former 4th District GOP Chair weighs in on Moore vs Flaig
Today past 4th District GOP Chairman, attorney and Bluegrass Bulletin author Marcus Carey wrote a story on the Boone County Judge Executive race. Marcus, a fine writer and a political insider, gives an interesting point of view. Click here to read story
Gary has already started spewing his BS about how he created 25,000 jobs in Boone County. Everybody knows that these jobs coming to Boone had nothing to do with I-75 running threw the middle of the county, an international airport hub located in Hebron or Boone County being next door to a major metropolitan city. Everybody came to Boone County because of Gary W. Moore!! Wow can you imagine the things he could have done if he would have at least graduated from high school? Maybe he would have invented the internet instead of Al Gore!!!
Gary has already started spewing his BS about how he created 25,000 jobs in Boone County. Everybody knows that these jobs coming to Boone had nothing to do with I-75 running threw the middle of the county, an international airport hub located in Hebron or Boone County being next door to a major metropolitan city. Everybody came to Boone County because of Gary W. Moore!! Wow can you imagine the things he could have done if he would have at least graduated from high school? Maybe he would have invented the internet instead of Al Gore!!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
The stage is set for the political " Bloodbath In Burlington!"
As boxing announcer Michael Buffer says before each main event " LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!" This will be a heavy weight fight that will be a year long political battle royal!! In one corner you have the reigning Judge that has a lot of money in the bank and will be well financed not because he has done a great job or is well liked but because he is the much feared "incumbent" He will get his cash from the Chamber of Commerce cronies and people who do big business with the county. In the other corner is a current Commissioner that is a proven vote getter. She is a great grassroots organizer that has the ability to also raise money. This Blog will be here through the whole race to inform voters and give a fair and balanced view. GOT YA !!LOL. We will be here to make sure this race is as nasty as it can be and to make DAMN SURE THAT THERE WILL BE " NO MORE MOORES" IN 2010!!!!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
We're Back In Business!!
Wow! Did y'all miss us? What a great week to start blogging again!! This week Judge Moore evicted the Childern's Home and Commissioner Flaig filed to evict Gary from the courthouse in 2010!! Here is the story from Boone County's version of Geraldo Rivera - Paul McKibben...
Cathy Flaig running for judge-executive
Posted by PaulMcKibben at 3/20/2009 2:47 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com
Below is a press release from Republican Boone County Commissioner Cathy Flaig about running for judge-executive next year. Republican incumbent Gary Moore hasn't officially announced yet but he has said he plans to run. Put on your political pundit hat and dissect the race. What are the advantages and disadvantages for both candidates? Will there be other GOP candidates? What about the Democrats in the general election?
CATHY FLAIG ANNOUNCES HER BID FOR BOONE CO. JUDGE EXECUTIVE Boone County Commissioner and conservative Republican Cathy H. Flaig today submitted her letter of intent to run for Judge Executive in 2010.Flaig has earned a reputation on Fiscal Court as the lone dissenter on tax policy issues. Hers was the only vote against several of the current Judge Executive’s proposals including two consecutive property tax increases and the overwhelmingly unpopular Park Tax vote which lost by nearly 70% last November. “Over the past several months many citizens have gone out of their way to encourage me to run for Judge Executive because of my conservative principles and standing up for tax payers. Now more than ever the citizens of Boone County deserve and need tax relief and that is what I pledge to do as the next Judge Executive” she said in a statement issued today. Flaig pledged to keep her conservative principles and promote an agenda to limit spending on projects or programs outside of the core functions of county government. i.e. police protection, fire, roads, water and sewer.Her 10 years of experience as County Commissioner along with being a small business owner make Flaig one of the most uniquely qualified individuals to serve as a Judge Executive.A life-long Boone Countian, Commissioner Flaig was elected in 1998. She is the first female Republican ever to hold office in Boone County. In the 2006 Republican primary Flaig was re-elected by an overwhelming margin.Flaig and her husband Bob live in Hebron where they own and operate Flaig Welding Co., Inc. Commissioner Flaig will have a campaign kickoff event in the near future where she will formally announce her campaign staff and start fund raising efforts.
Cathy Flaig running for judge-executive
Posted by PaulMcKibben at 3/20/2009 2:47 PM EDT on Cincinnati.com
Below is a press release from Republican Boone County Commissioner Cathy Flaig about running for judge-executive next year. Republican incumbent Gary Moore hasn't officially announced yet but he has said he plans to run. Put on your political pundit hat and dissect the race. What are the advantages and disadvantages for both candidates? Will there be other GOP candidates? What about the Democrats in the general election?
CATHY FLAIG ANNOUNCES HER BID FOR BOONE CO. JUDGE EXECUTIVE Boone County Commissioner and conservative Republican Cathy H. Flaig today submitted her letter of intent to run for Judge Executive in 2010.Flaig has earned a reputation on Fiscal Court as the lone dissenter on tax policy issues. Hers was the only vote against several of the current Judge Executive’s proposals including two consecutive property tax increases and the overwhelmingly unpopular Park Tax vote which lost by nearly 70% last November. “Over the past several months many citizens have gone out of their way to encourage me to run for Judge Executive because of my conservative principles and standing up for tax payers. Now more than ever the citizens of Boone County deserve and need tax relief and that is what I pledge to do as the next Judge Executive” she said in a statement issued today. Flaig pledged to keep her conservative principles and promote an agenda to limit spending on projects or programs outside of the core functions of county government. i.e. police protection, fire, roads, water and sewer.Her 10 years of experience as County Commissioner along with being a small business owner make Flaig one of the most uniquely qualified individuals to serve as a Judge Executive.A life-long Boone Countian, Commissioner Flaig was elected in 1998. She is the first female Republican ever to hold office in Boone County. In the 2006 Republican primary Flaig was re-elected by an overwhelming margin.Flaig and her husband Bob live in Hebron where they own and operate Flaig Welding Co., Inc. Commissioner Flaig will have a campaign kickoff event in the near future where she will formally announce her campaign staff and start fund raising efforts.
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