Whitehead to help fund picnic

Jay Whitehead, Lexington’s former chief administrative officer, plans to help pay for an employee picnic being organized by the Civil Service Employee Association to replace one that was canceled by Mayor Jim Newberry.

The picnic, which is scheduled for Sunday at Jacobson park, will substitute for the traditional Friday-before-Labor Day picnic the city usually throws as an employee appreciation event.

Newberry canceled the employee appreciation picnic because he did not feel it was the best use of taxpayer dollars. Food for the picnic, which was usually planned for 1,000 of the city’s 3,500 employees, cost $10,000.

Whitehead said he does not know how much money he will donate to help pay for the picnic.

Former Mayor Teresa Isaac, who was defeated by Newberry last November, and some of Whitehead’s former commissioners may also contribute money to the picnic, he said.

“Just because we don’t work there any longer, it doesn’t mean these people aren’t our family,” said Whitehead, who worked for Isaac and now works in the state’s Department for Environmental Protection.

Whitehead said he contacted Jack Barnett, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, about three weeks ago when news about the canceled picnic became public.

At that time, CSEA was already talking about holding its own picnic, Whitehead said. “I said I’d be happy to donate to the cause, my personal donation. Also, if I can help on that day, I’d be happy to do that.”

CSEA will accept donations from anyone who wants to help pay for the picnic, Barnett said. But he understands how it will be perceived if CSEA accepts money from Whitehead, or possibly even Isaac.

“It almost looks like a political thing where they’re jumping in there because Newberry is cutting us out,” Barnett said.

Based on the current list of people who have said they plan to attend, the picnic should cost between $700 and $800, Barnett said.

Whitehead said he plans to attend the picnic. “I’m pretty sure that some of my commissioners will participate and Mayor Isaac will drop by also,” he said.

Newberry won’t be in attendance because he will be out of town that day.

In addition to the picnic, Newberry also canceled the half-day off employees traditionally received following the picnic. That Friday is not considered a city holiday and the time off cost the city more than $300,000 in pay.

Urban County Council members have tentatively agreed to give back the half-day off as part of the Christmas Eve holiday. Employees currently receive a half-day off for Christmas Eve. With the additional half-day, employees will have the whole day off.

The additional half-day off still requires one more council reading. Final approval could come Sept. 13.

- Michelle Ku

Comments

Why would Fletcher appoint an Isaac supporter?

Is that a trick question? Most of his appointees are Democrats-he brags about it in every speech he gives-61% according to Fletcher. Most of them are people who were not only kept but promoted and the Fletcherites actually trust them and believe they are with them. The folks in this administration have no understanding of politics. They wrongly believe that because they get these high appointments as secretaries, deputies, executive directors, etc. that it somehow means they are political superstars. It means they got a title and that's it. What's so funny is that all of these people they kept will probably be around in the next administration-the Beshear administration. That will be revealing because those who are kept in the next go around with their high salaries are the ones who were democrat before, democrat during and democrat afterwards. They never were for Fletcher but his circle buys into the smiles and simple talk.

I'm tired of hearing about all this bull about hiring scandals, transportation, pardons, politics in projects and all the other junk. What we need is someone who will, as governor, tackle the waste, fraud and abuse. We need someone will clean up the mess in the capitol. We need someone who will get rid of the good old boys and put in people of rock solid values.

That's right. We need Steve Beshear!

Jay Whitehead is (or at least used to be) a Republican. He ran at least once for public office as a Republican.

So, that would mean that Teresa Isaac, a Democrat, appointed a Republican.

[PO'd]

10:23, don't make us all laugh. Beshear is part of the problem, not the solution.

[Darrin]

Vote Beasher!!!!!

[JIm Anderson Stivers]

Mayor Dewberry . .. . Bahhhhhhhhhhhh,
Hummmmmmmmmmmbugggggggggg.

Sure am glad the Lexington Mayor is not my uncle or something. If I needed money for groceries and had a large family, I would probably be out of luck! :(

Oh, yeah how much was the cost of the PR trip to Colorado that got an entire week of press?

Priorities . . . Politicians always have trouble with priorities . . . theirs FIRST.

I agree with the top poster, Fletcher kept all the dems in place. That strategy did not work!

I have heard that many of the dems in place are already lobbying with Beshear to keep their jobs. Fletcher really messed up. Some of these people are in his inner circle. Fletcher trusted those he should not trust and did not listen to the people he should have trusted. That is his tragedy.

Gosh, it really sounds like ALL you Beshear supporters are saying Fletcher should have "fired" these democrats and that Fletcher is ??? stupid ??? for not firing democrats?

You all are such hypocrites -- first you all complained that some in Fletcher's administration hired people in already vacan jobs and NOW, you same people are calling Fletcher stupid for not firing democrats and hiring republicans????

You all are FLIP/FlOPPERS!

Who in the world would even give a 'nugget' of credit to any statement any of you say or any credit to whom you support.

I find it so telling that you all are cheerleading the fact that Beshear will keep these democrats bec. they are lobbying for Beshear to get elected. That sure speaks volumes about the good-ole boy Beshear and his followers - YOU ALL.

Seriously folks, do your homework before assuming things. Jay Whitehead is a Republican, ran against Ernie Fletcher in a primary for Congress; I believe it was the first try for Fletcher, maybe the second.

Whitehead was appointed by Isaac in a nonpartisan government. He wasn't the only Republican in her administration.

When Isaac lost, Whitehead got a job in the Fletcher administration. He is not a Democratic holdover in Frankfort, he is a Republican, and has only been in Frankfort since January at the earliest.

The *real* story here is...when is Whitehead going to officially announce he's running for mayor????

JAS: You wrote, "Sure am glad the Lexington Mayor is not my uncle or something. If I needed money for groceries and had a large family, I would probably be out of luck! :("

What, are you kidding? Newberry said it would cost the taxpayer's $10,000 so 1000 people could enjoy a picnic ... um ... did it occur to you that Newberry would RATHER use tax dollars to feed the indigent instead of throwing a picnic?

You see, James Stivers, with the savings in tax dollars that Newberry just saved, families who NEED food for groceries will have MORE in the tax coffer to get MORE food for their family. Get it? That's math, simple math.

[Darrin]

I get so confused. When will a politician in office ever tell me the truth with out a hidden agenda? Is there such a thing?

Darrin, there is no such person in politics. I wish there were, but these politicians make so you have to be a millionaire to run for office ... that leaves out your common everyday honest joe.

Think the point made from previous posts is that Fletcher and crew need only to look at these people they are trusting from previous administrations to learn why they're losing. They trust people who have made a life of living off the Democrat tit and now suddenly support the lone Republican. They don't support Fletcher and his crew. They pretend just waiting for him and his crew to get out until their liberal buddies take over again. Doesn't look like they'll have long to wait.

Think you're right. Here some of those high up folks who sucked up and were promoted by the Republicans are helping so called shadow teams for several state offices during the campaign. Highways, Natural Resources and Parks are three of the cabinets I've heard that some high up non-merit staff people are helping their old Democrat colleagues from previous administrations. this helps Beshear and more importantly to this crowd, they hope it will help them keep their jobs that fletcher and his crew put them in.

I've heard the same thing. In Highways, the Mundy guy and Sharfe lady are two I've heard are courting Beshear folks to see what they can do to hang on. In Natural Resources, hear that Shepherd who is a judge and ole Brer are looking out for few of their own like the York guy. In Parks, hear that Jim Goodman and crew (Crit's friends) are just itching to get back in and get rid of the Republicans. God knows what kind of deals and backroom schenanigans are going in Frankfort these days. I left my 10th floor State Office Building job in 2001-the day I got my 27 in and wouldn't go back for anything. It's even more entertaining today!

[JIm Anderson Stivers]

You see, James Stivers, with the savings in tax dollars that Newberry just saved, families who NEED food for groceries will have MORE in the tax coffer to get MORE food for their family. Get it? That's math, simple math.

Posted by: | September 04, 2007 at 11:06 AM

You apparently are the Spin Doctor for Dingleberry. If you would be kind enough to post a copy of those checks that went to feed the poor and hungry please, please post them on this blog. I can't believe for one minute you are that concerned about the feeding the poor. Since you are an ANON we have not way of knowing which office you work in for Metro.

Incidentally since you are so well connected how much did that trip to Colorado cost.
The one that got newspaper coverage for an entire week.

I bet your idol could do a lot to feed the poor and the hungry with the money spent on a PR trip for the Mayor. And what did the visitors from Lexington eat while there?

Baloney and Cheese sandwiches?

JAS, the cost of that trip was outlined, more than once I think, in the articles you reference.

[JIm Anderson Stivers]

Well, I can't remember maybe you could refresh my memory?

Was it free?

If it was, then I stand down on this issue, but if not show the figure the Metro paid for this visit. Please?

If you think politicians are more concerned about feeding the poor, then you live in a world of fantasy. All politicos are interested in is advancing their own image more than feeding THE POOR.

I guess the attendees ate at McDonald's?

Mr. Stivers, SHHHHHH! You wouldn't want Steve Beshear to hear you talk that way about Mayor Newberry ... Beshear donated to his 2006 campaign ... shhhhhhhhh! If Beshear hears you he may not offer you a paid job in his administration.

[JIm Anderson Stivers]

HMMM, is that humor of what?

I can't tell!

What did the trip to Colorado cost Metro taxpayers?

Do you know?

JAS, look it up if you care so much. Michelle Ku even did blog posts about it so you don't have to leave the web site to do it.

[JIm Anderson Stivers]

Most of the 18 city officials who will be in Boulder for Commerce Lexington’s leadership visit will be there on the city’s dime.

In all, the city is spending $22,225 on the trips of 15 city officials. That total does not include other incidentals, such as parking at Blue Grass Airport and meals that aren’t included as part of the trip.

It seems to me the price of the PR idea to Boulder was paid with tax money. Notice this report does not say - what the other incidental fees (?).

If you add in, THE HIDDEN COST, NOT REPORTED, IT ADDS TO A LOT MORE THAN A FAMILY PICNIC FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

I understand your point, I don't understand your defense of a spin. When compared to a family outing for THE WORKING CLASS my concerns are more for a day of pleasure for city workers than Mayor Dingleberry says "It just COST TOO MUCH."

Now tell me how you can take $22,000 plus and feed Mayor Dingleberrys poor.

Welcome to Denver, fokes!

Fletcher trusted those he should not trust and did not trust who he should trust. That is his tragedy. As Republican and even Democorats we all know this. He tried to play it both ways, which never works. Beshear is not going to win because people are for him, he is going to win because people are against the failed leadership of Fletcher. It is a tragedy.