PRIMARY ELECTION

Local GOPs host candidate forumBY TRACY HARRISSTAFF WRITER, THE OLDHAM ERA

Republican candidates for congress and local offi-ces addressed voters at The Oldham Debates April 25.

The Oldham, Henry and Trimble county Republican parties hosted the debate at Oldham County High School, with more than 350 in atten-dance.

While focused on the race for the 4th Congressional District, the forum also gave candida-tes running for state senate, commonwealth’s attorney and

Oldham County Circuit Court Clerk an opportunity to intro-duce themselves and address voters. More information about those candidates will be in next week’s edition of The Oldham Era.

Most of the event was devo-ted to the seven republican con-gressional candidates seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Geoff Davis, a four-term Republican congress-man. Davis said he is not run-ning for another term because he wants to devote more time to his family.

Oldham County residents Walt Schumm and Brian Oerther are both in the crowded field. Schumm is a board of edu-cation member and a builder/developer. Oerther is a math teacher at an alternative school

in Jefferson County.Other candidates include

Sparta attorney Marc Carey, Lewis County Judge-Executive Thomas Massie, Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore, State Rep. Alecia Webb-Edgington and Kenton County consultant Tom Wurtz.

Each candidate received four minutes to introduce them-selves before moving into the debate segment.

Radio talk show Joe Elliot and TV news reporter Chris Turner moderated the forum.

Questions were submitted by

voters and compiled into a list by forum organizers.

Turner randomly selected questions and two candidates to answer each. Each candidate answered two questions.

Several issues before the U.S. Supreme Court were addressed in the debate, including health care reform and illegal immi-gration.

Other questions concerned reducing the nation’s debt, tax reform, international defense and the Patriot Act.

KENWOOD STUDENTS PERFORM ‘DISNEY’S 101 DALMATIANS KIDS’

Fourth- and fifth-grade stu-dents from Kenwood Station Elementary performed Disney’s

101 Dalmations Kids for a packed the-atre of parents, siblings and friends at the school Friday night. Right, proud puppy parents Pongo and Perdita, played by Hannah Jaggers and Leah Searcy, lament the loss of their puppies. Directed by Natalie Pollitt, the 30-minute show fea-tured several musical numbers – includ-ing a chorus line kick, above – and a very convincing Cruella DeVill, played by Olivia Minor.

The Oldham Era / Thursday, May 3, 2012A2 / N E W S

Homemakers Plant Sale & Garden ShowSaturday, May 129:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.La Grange Community Center307 West Jeff erson St.La Grange, KY 40031

Purchase plants and items for your garden, receive advice from expertsand have an enjoyable time.

Proceeds to benefi t community service, leadership and scholarship.

Booth Space Available

Oldham County Extension Homemakers1815 N Hwy 393 • La Grange, KY 40031222-9453

VoteSchumm.com

BUSINESSMAN | FAMILY MAN | FARMER

It’s time you & I get this country back on track.It seems like we’re all working to just get by, not thriving as Americans should. I’m ready to do my part.

See ‘Forum,’ page A4

Kenwood Station

becomes a

DALMATION

PLANTATION

P H OTO S BY J ACQ U E LYN H AC K • E D I TO R , T H E O L D H A M E R A

Task force drops EMS from tasks

The county’s EMS and Fire Task Force is now just the Fire Task Force, effective April 24.

Members voted to drop EMS from the mission statement because EMS board members are currently looking to outsource management duties at Oldham County EMS.

Task force members plan to continue working on recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the county’s fire departments.

Those recommendations will be aggregated into a report created by consultant Bill Kramer and presented to fiscal court.

Kramer and Associates is a fire service consult-ing firm that helps with consolidations, fire chief selections, service analysis, fire protection needs for new subdivisions and other issues.

Kramer said he plans to have a report outline to task force members in the next two weeks. Members will make suggestions for additional topics. Kramer plans to use data compiled by the task force along with existing data he has from previous similar projects.

Magistrates voted to approve a $9,500 contract for Kramer’s services last month. The task force’s next meeting is 6 p.m. May 22 in the fiscal court building.

–Tracy Harris

Local businesses earn top

ranks in online poll

Several Oldham County businesses made the A-list in the recent City Voter online polls.

About 6,200 visitors to the site cast more than 21,000 votes to determine the winners.

New La Grange restaurant One Nineteen West Main received the top award for best traditional American cuisine.

One Nineteen West Main beat out Cafe Lou Lou and Joe Huber’s Family Farm Restaurant in vot-ing.

Another new business in La Grange, Q&A Sweet Treats, won best bakery. Owner Andrea Essenpreis opened her storefront location in November after successfully selling her goods to local retailers.

Crestwood’s Hewn from the Mountain Music Cafe received the nod for best musical instru-ments. Owner Tom McShane opened the store last fall and sells a variety of folk and acoustic instruments, including some he makes himself.

Cherry House took first place in best furniture, and Theiss Home Furnishing placed sixth.

Big R’s and Shannon’s BBQ placed fourth in the barbecue division, Red Pepper Deli fifth amongst sandwich shops and El Acapulco third for Mexican cuisine.

Karen’s Book Barn and Java Stop received third for best bookstore. Friends and Fiber and La Grange Arts and Crafts also placed fifth and sixth for best arts and crafts.

The Treasured Child, under new ownership, placed second for best children’s gifts. Classy Consignments received third place in the vin-tage and resale clothing category.

The Oldham Era will soon host its annual Readers’ Choice contest to honor the best in local business. Look for details in upcoming edi-tions of The Oldham Era.

–Tracy Harris