Monday, September 07, 2009

A NOTE 2

I am trying to earn money by google adsense
Since no one will hire me.



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surgery

Having surgery to make me normal in October
Pre op is September 28


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PROFILE OF THE MAYOR OF LONDON Ky,

MAYOR TROY RUDDER
JOSHUA ROBINSON
FREELANCE REPORTER

How would you expect a small town mayor to look and act? Lets meet a small town mayor. Troy Rudder, 56, of London, Ky.. Rudder is someone who dresses professionally in shirt tie and slacks. He has brown hair and brown mustache. If you saw him out you would almost immediately be able to pick him out. He wants to be called by his first name Troy.

Rudder is a long time London resident. Rudder has always been in public service in one form or another. Rudder served as a teacher and currently serves as Mayor of London. Rudder taught for 31 years, he taught from 1972 until 1996 and retired in June of 2003. Rudder last taught at North Laurel High School in London for 4 years and was in administration for five years.

Rudder’s character makes him who he is. With care he took pride in each of his high school students, his office was always open to every student he had.

“I love the teaching,” Rudder said. “I did not really like administration because you lost contact with the kids. In administration you had to deal with the kids who were in trouble and I did not like doing that I really enjoyed interacting with the kids.”

Rudder was a biology science teacher at North Laurel. Rudder is someone who has a strong Christian faith. Since Rudder is a Christian and taught a science course in high school; his science class was given an assignment to present about evolution, one of his students did not believe in the evolutionary theory so he gave this student the opportunity to present on Biblical evolution. Several of Rudder’s students said what a great teacher he was.

“I love American history from conception until second world war,” Rudder said.

Several people in town said, Rudder is someone who is honest; you can look at him and tell his character.

“I retired in 2003, I was on city council for 20 years,” Rudder said. “I was on city council when I was elected mayor. I was on city council in 1986. I was retired for two and a half years and it was a wonderful life.”

Rudder saw things needed to change and wanted to serve London. From June of 2003 until January 2006 Rudder was planning and made a run for mayor in 2006. It was about a year and a half of politicing that Rudder did.

Rudder has been in the mayor’s office for just over three years now.

“Being mayor you have to be strong and some one in control,” Rudder said. “Every body works for you and at your pleasure. The most favorite thing that I do is go out into our local schools and talk about the city. I like getting back out into the elementary schools and talking with them.

Rudder is careful with every decision he makes and has made. In high school he had to make important decisions; like when a student was late to count them as tardy and possibly send them to in-school suspension. Another decision he had to make was to let the student present on Biblical evolution. One of the most important decisions he had to make in his teaching was to walk away. Rudder had to make another crucial decision; the decision to run for public office the office of mayor as a democrat.

Rudder is a Democrat in a strong republican town. Since Rudder had retired from teaching he has since became mayor of London and turned the city around for the better.

“Because the fact that everyone knows Rudder, his character, his values, and his Christian beliefs and stand; he is great a great mayor,” Connie Mcknight said. Mcknight is one of the secretaries in the mayor’s office. Mcknight has served under several mayor administrations.

“The most rewarding thing as being mayor is when some one calls with a problem and you find a way of fixing that problem,” Rudder said.

Rudder is a mayor you can call and talk to at any time.

The mayor’s office is located on South Main Street right by the London City Police Station.

“Rudder is a hard working mayor,” Mcknight said.

Rudder is looking to help every one in London. It was overheard at the groundbreaking for the new Fiscal Courthouse last year he had asked one of the journalist if they had taken care of things and this journalist was looking to get a press pass; and this person had one.

Ken Smith was the Mayor before Rudder. Smith had been in office for several years. Smith was a republican mayor. Rudder is a democrat mayor. London is a strong republican town and the people voted in the man rather than the politician.

Rudder knows the people of London and Laurel County; because he worked in the school system. By working in the school system you learn how people think and act.

Because Rudder is the mayor he was at the groundbreaking for the Fiscal Courthouse in May of 2008. This is one of the notable events Rudder attended. Rudder does not like attending events and did not talk a lot about what he had done in past events.

“This is a vibrant and moving town we have not been hit with the job loses like other cities have,” Rudder said.

“I hate being in the office I would rather be out chewing tobacco with the workers working in a recycling center or going on a run with the firefighters,” Rudder said.

“The recycling plant is really taking off,” Rudder said. “July of 2008 though July of this year we will have saved $10 thousand in dumping fees.

Rudder just signed a purchase order for recycling cans to be in all the schools. The kids will have an opportunity to recycle and learn about recycling. All the money from recycling goes right back to the schools and it teaches kids why you conserve.

London’s sidewalks will be fixed under Rudder’s administration. He is taking wine bottles and beer cans and crushing it and grinding it.

“Last year almost a half a million dollars was spent in dumping fees,” Rudder said.
Rudder is big on recycling because a lot of money has been wasted dumping trash and the money could be better spent. Mayor Rudder is very into working with people. He has Manchester bring their trash to London. Rudder’s next goal is household pick up.

“If you live in the city we will provide you a recycling container for household pick up,” Rudder said. “If you want to join us and recycle that would reduce your garbage rate by $1 a month. Right now trash pick up is $10 a month if you decide you do not want to be apart of the recycling program we will increase your pick up $1 a month. We are going to get people involved.”

To be employed in the city of London takes hard work and dedication to improving the city.

“Every one that puts in an application has to have a high school diploma,” Rudder said. “Cities are notorious for hiring people and trying to teach them what they want done.”

“London does their own work now,” Rudder said.

“Every one is working together,” Rudder said. “Used to police department and fire department and other departments would work independently. But now people are working together.”

“I’m not blowing my horn,” Rudder said. “But I’m blowing other peoples horns.”

It is all about being a team player.

“I am a support person,” Rudder said.

People who work in the mayor’s office have master’s degree.

Rudder has been married twice he has four kids and five grandchildren. His wife is very supportive of him. Rudder has been married to his second wife for five years. The Rudder’s are very supportive of each other. Communication is the key in this.

“At first she did not like being mayor’s wife,” Mrs. Rudder said. Mrs. Rudder is 54-years-old and a family person who loves her husband.
Mrs. Rudder lives here in London.

“I hate politics,” Mrs. Rudder said.

“If my wife did not support me I would not do this,” Rudder said.

Both Rudder’s said, if we did not care for each other and listen to each other we would not be together. Our lives are each other first and work second.

A London citizen had came in the mayor’s office and was mad about a sewer problem on his property. The citizen said I will be sure and tell the plumbers what kind of guy you are. Rudder said, I appreciate the comment I’m glad that you will tell the plumbers.

The guy threatened Rudder by saying “If you don’t get elected next time.”
Rudder said let’s stop right here.

“If I do not get elected I go home and enjoy my life,” Rudder said. “I’m already retired.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll run again,” Rudder said. “If I like what I’m doing and prove to myself that I can do this, I’ll run again. If I do not like what I’m doing and things become a headache I’ll not run again. I’m retired.”

You have to like what you do in order to do the job that needs to be done.
Rudder is not going to be hurt if he does not get elected to another term. As of right now he seems to like what he is doing and the effect he is having on people.

It is all about the people and doing the job for the people.

“If I have not done a good job vote me out of office,” Rudder said.

“I’m retired,” Rudder said. “You are not going to hurt me.”


Joshua Robinson
~No Games
#
jmrobinson01@gmail.com

A NOTE

Since no paper will let me write, I'll go back to posting news stories online not just columns but news stories

Joshua

A YEAR AFTER THE GROUND BREAKING OF THE NEW COURTHOUSE

A YEAR AFTER THE GROUND BREAKING
JOSHUA ROBINSON
Freelance reporter

Laurel and London, Ky., residents will soon have one courthouse to go to for all of their courthouse needs. Right now courthouses and annexes are scattered all throughout the city and county, the new courthouse will be very helpful.
The new Fiscal courthouse will be an all in one courthouse for almost all of the court needs; currently there are two courthouses and one federal courthouse to make three courthouses. There was at one time a courthouse in a place called “Caranevey Square” however, the facility has since been moved the courthouse was used for paying taxes and getting your license plates.

There will still be use for all of the courthouses, however the trials and the licensing needs, will be in the new courthouse. However, Laurel County Clerk Dean Johnson will continue to use the current courthouse facility.
The new facility will be used for trials and to conduct other court needs, according to one citizen the facility will be used for trials and will be separate from county court needs.

It was a historic Thursday afternoon, on May 22, 2008, in London, as there was a groundbreaking, for the new Fiscal Courthouse.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Chief Justice Joseph Lambert announced the rumor of his retirement was indeed true. This was the last groundbreaking as Chief Justice that Lambert would be involved in.
The ceremony began with the pledge of allegiance to the American Flag and a prayer.
There were several introductions of the officials in attendance and then they
went to the new courthouse area to break ground.
It was a happy time as a new development began in London.

“Seventy new court houses have been built,” Lambert said.

“The groundbreaking was delayed in March, due to meetings in Frankfort, concerning the budget,” Chief Executive Judge Lawrence Kuhl said.

“We are excited about this new building,” Kuhl said. “The new building is located just across from the Federal courthouse.”

Since the groundbreaking, a lot of progress has been made.

The Fiscal courthouse is almost complete now. With a frame up, rooms are being added in, and facilities being put in place. The new courthouse will be located in the heart of downtown located on South Main Street of London.

There is a parallel parking area on Main Street, and a free parking garage near the current Laurel County Courthouse. Parking will be an issue with the new courthouse.

Behind the courthouse there may be an area for parking. With the caseloads the courthouse will need a parking area.

The courthouse is located on the South Main Street in front of National City Bank.
The value of the new Fiscal Courthouse is enormous for everyone from local citizens, lawyers, and judges.

Now that we have established the historical significance and the location lets get a feel of the courthouse.

“The new court house is four stories and will be a building that can hear all court cases as well as an office for all judges and judge executives,” Kuhl said.
Kuhl said, the project will take about two years to complete depending on the weather. The weather is always a major factor in any project. It is over half way complete.

Kuhl said, the new courthouse will cost between 18 million and 24 million to complete. But will not be effected by the budget cuts; there is a 12 percent across the board budget cut. There are budget cuts in education however, the funding is already set aside for the courthouse.

“We have spent about 11 million on the courthouse thus far,” Kuhl said.

“The courthouse is 48 to 50 percent complete,” Kuhl said. “Due to inclement winter weather that hindered progress. Spring is now here and progress can continue.”

“This is the most technology advanced building in the state,” Lambert said.

“Security is our biggest concern,” District Judge John Chappell said. “Right now all we have is bailiff protection. Security is much more needed in family court and the new Fiscal Courthouse will provide more security and screening as people enter.”
Chappell said, Right now in the current district courthouse anyone could be armed; in the new courthouse people will be screened before entering the building and the courtroom.

Judge Chappell is the district Judge for Laurel and Knox Counties.

“The facility will provide more space for the circuit clerk’s which is packed,” Chappell said.

“The new courthouse will provide PowerPoint access to show jurors evidence and will have other technological access and advances,” Attorney J. L Albright said.

“The Courthouse will be much cleaner than the current facility,” Chappell said.

The new courthouse will be the most up to date. How important is up to date and technologically advanced? It is very important. You can’t do anything without Internet access; the courthouse will have wireless Internet access.

“Right now our technology in our current facilities is in the 80s but in our new facility will have wireless Internet access,” Chappell said.
Now it has been a year since the ground was broke and a lot of progress has been made to the fiscal courthouse. The building is taller than any other building in London. Its view is mind-boggling.

The front of the building is guarded with construction barriers. The front of the courthouse inside of the courthouse has rails rooms and does not look complete. As you drive or walk through town can see security railing is already in place in the courtrooms and offices.

As you drive or walk through town you see several stores, banks, and the current
Laurel County Courthouse; as you look up in town you could see the new courthouse and it looks as if it is nearly five stories tall.

One can see work going on daily on the new courthouse.
“The courthouse will provide much needed space,” Laurel County Circuit Clerk Roger Schott said.

Schott, whose is clerk of drivers licensing and District Court will move into the new facility upon completion. His office has over 20 people working in it and is packed with files and rulings.

The outside of the building, has a of look completeness with bricking underway, railings on the roof, security rails in the courtrooms and offices.
Kuhl said, the new Fiscal Courthouse building is scheduled to be opened by late April or early in May of 2010.

Albright said, the new courthouse will make trying cases more efficient as London has grown crime has increased.

Kuhl also said, London has grown and there is a lot more crime in London and Laurel County.

“The courthouse will have utmost security,” Kuhl said.

The new Fiscal Courthouse will be able to hold multiple trials and cases at once instead of one courtroom being able to hold one trial and several cases with heavy loads. There are several criminal and civil caseloads that need the attention of the court system, however because of only one courtroom the cases are unable to be heard at one time.

Upon the completion of the new Fiscal Courthouse several cases will be able to be heard at one time and the rulings will be online when they come down because the courthouse will have Internet access.

The courthouse will have the look and feel of state of the art facility.
One year after the ground breaking a lot of work has been done; there is more work to be done before next year’s completion date. Everyday there is work going on for the new Fiscal Courthouse. With so many things in place and so much progress has been made the new Fiscal Courthouse is much near completion now; with a year or less to go.

Joshua Robinson
~No Games
#
jmrobinson01@gmail.com

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