Beech Tree News Network

My name is Anita Minton and I am a candidate for first district magistrate. I’ve lived in Morgantown since my marriage to James Minton. In May, we will celebrate our 41^st anniversary. Together we have four children; Milana Dicataldo (husband Gennaro, Bartlesville, Oklahoma), Melanie Leach (husband Scott, Hartford, Kentucky), Daniel Minton (wife Holly (Johnson), of Roundhill), and Leslie West (husband Greg, of Morgantown). We have eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

I am the youngest of 5 children born to Henry B and Lois (Cannon) Threlkel.  Although I was born and raised in Warren County, my parents were both born and raised in Butler County. I remember coming here as a child to visit my grandparents, and often stayed with them. I love Morgantown and Butler County. My roots here are 6 generations deep.

I am retired from the Butler County Board of Education after 22 years of service. I began working at Morgantown Elementary as a Kindergarten aide and finished as the District Nurse working in all four schools. I loved working with the young people of our county and often saw the needs our children and their families have. In many instances these needs have spanned several generations. Over the years I had many trainings and professional development classes. I learned skills that helped me be successful in my job and individually as well.

I’ve worked with people in the community in many capacities. I volunteered for the American Red Cross many years teaching CPR/First Aid. When my children were young, I was a leader in cub scouts and girl scouts. At church, I taught an early morning scripture class for high school age students for 11 years.  I have strong Christian values and a firm testimony of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My priorities are my family, my faith, and my country. Morgantown and Butler County are my country.

I am a candidate for magistrate because I feel that for the most part, our fiscal court has been stagnant for many years. I am happy to see so many interested in the positions open for the court. It is time for new people with fresh ideas to be part of the direction Butler County will take in the future.

As a member of the fiscal court I feel it’s important to be able to work with all parties involved. To be able to come to a consensus when there is disagreement. To look beyond the “right now” and try to see how today’s decisions will affect the future. It’s also important to have a good working relationship with city leaders. It makes sense to work together for the betterment of our community and county as a whole instead of trying to do so as separate entities.

I love to learn and have been researching the Kentucky Constitution, the Kentucky Revised Statutes, and County Government in Kentucky published by the Legislative Research Commission. I have been looking at the structure of fiscal courts and the roles and duties of elected officials. I think it’s important to know the parameters set by the state of Kentucky and to do things the right way.

I follow social media and talk with people. I make notes of the issues they feel need to be addressed. I want to know the concerns and ideas everyone has. In order to be aware of what’s going on you have to be a part of the community. I know it’s not possible to please everyone but everyone deserves to be heard and treated with respect.

One of the greatest needs we have in Morgantown and Butler County is for quality, affordable housing for different income levels. Many of our young people leave when they graduate from school. Local affordable housing will make it possible for them to stay here. As a homeowner, I was amazed at the cost of rent and the limited availability of housing. Much of what is available is so old if inspections were required they would not pass.  Tax incentives for the property owners may be part of a solution for this.

Our county has other issues that also need to be addressed. Two that I hear about most are county-wide internet service and work force development.  KentuckyWired and Kentucky Work Ready Communities, are two programs the state has designed to address these concerns. While continuing to work with these programs we should also be looking elsewhere for other sources too.

I firmly believe that in order to make our county better we have to first strengthen its core. Emphasis should be placed on building up existing community assets. We need to strengthen the businesses and programs we already have. Most local businesses employ local people. They live here, they work here, their children go to school here, and they spend their money here. In strengthening our businesses, we help our people.  This can be done at the same time as we go about bringing our county into the 21^st century.

I plan to visit each household in first district and hope to speak with each member. I want to know the questions you have and your concerns. I ask for your vote as First District Magistrate and if elected will bring a different point of view to Butler County Fiscal Court.

Thank you,

Anita Minton