A movement is at hand involving the Bell and Harlan circuit courts, according to Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock. He addressed the issue during a luncheon at Pine Mountain State Park and Resort on Thursday.
Brock stated the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) is attempting to combine Bell and Harlan circuit courts.
“This negatively impacts the jails in both counties,” said Brock. “It would slow the docket down more than it already is.”
Senate Majority Whip Brandon Smith also spoke on the issue during the luncheon. He said he spoke with the AOC and they had mentioned they were going to look into it.
“I’m not for this attempt to consolidate (the courts),” said Smith. “I can’t understand the reasoning behind it.”
Smith said the consolidation plan would not move through any committee on which he serves.
“One county has three judges in that county,” said Smith. “I don’t see anybody talking to them, but rather they have found their way up … to our district to take a look at our judges and I find that unfortunate.”
According to Leigh Anne Hiatt, public information officer for AOC, there is currently no formal proposal on the table for consolidating the two circuits.
By the numbers, Bell County had 935 cases filed in the fiscal year 2012. Harlan County had 1,034 cases filed, according to the Kentucky Court of Justice website.
According to the Kentucky Court of Justice website, Bell County closed 828 cases in circuit court. Harlan closed 1,036 cases.
Both counties only have one circuit court judge.
“Combining the circuits would deprive access to the court system,” said Brock. “I have yet to see any way it will save money.”
Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-248-1010, ext. 208, acloud@civitasmedia.com
“This negatively impacts the jails in both counties,” said Brock. “It would slow the docket down more than it already is.”
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Isn't this the same guy who wouldn't build a new jail even after we got the money to do so? And has made every effort to close down the jail we have? How do you get more negative than that?
“Combining the circuits would deprive access to the court system,” said Brock. “I have yet to see any way it will save money.”
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The Daily News must have left off the last part of that last sentence. I pretty sure it would have included the words "... that I could reallocate more to my liking".
Perhaps the JE can tell us how his big battle with the fire department has saved us money. Fiscal Court still collects the same amount from people who have to buy insurance. So where is that money going? It sure isn't to support fire protection. And the public sure isn't saving any money. But about half a million dollars of that money that could have been better spent has gone for frivious lawsuits - mostly started by Fiscal Court.
But now that we're on the subject, there is an obvious way we could save money and streamline government. Let's combine Bell County back into Harlan County. Kentucky has too many counties, anyway. And we could get by with one less JE - or two in this case.