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Five Questions: Mark Mudd/Candidate for Butler County Judge-Executive

Question 1: Broadly speaking, what are the primary reasons you are seeking the office you are running?

 

I want to use this time period in my career to serve Butler County.  I began considering a run back in the early 2000’s when I was a mid-level civil engineer working in State Government for the Transportation Cabinet.  I routinely met with county judge/executives and magistrates all across South-Central KY to improve their roadway and other infrastructure systems.  I’ve spent a lot of time in Frankfort and have gained an understanding of how state government grants and other resources are gathered by county governments.  I will implement a “Butler County First” platform.  For state, county and city governments to work together to meet the needs of all citizens is an absolute necessity. Elected officials must always focus on the fact that they work for the people, not the other way around.  Throughout my career, I’ve demonstrated my sincere desire to work with all parties to achieve success.  Butler County is rich in many ways, and we need leadership to facilitate the prosperity we all seek.  If elected, I will provide that leadership backed by a lifetime of honesty and integrity.    

 

 

Question 2: What specific qualifications do you possess that would allow you to be effective in the position you are seeking?

 

First of all, you can take me at my word.  I have a lifetime of honesty and integrity to back that up.  I also have a great love for Butler County.  I’ve lived here for over 25 years.  Some have criticized me because I wasn’t born here.  But truthfully, I came here by choice.  My maternal grandparents were Harvey and Edith Woodcock from the Tanyard Community in North Butler County.  My mother and her people were born and raised here.  My wife Rebecca(Becky) Flener Mudd has lived in the Fifth District all her life and spent her entire career as a teacher in the Butler County School System.  Many of the Fleners, Hunts, Burdens, Woodcocks and Johnsons are kin to our family.  Our 21-year-old son, Jacob, was born and raised here under the high-quality instruction of Butler County Schools’ fine educators.  My hope is that Butler County can be a place that his future family can thrive in, as we have so far.  Aside from family and various civic commitments to the people of Butler County, I worked for 22 years with the KY Transportation Cabinet where I oversaw large government budgets efficiently and managed many government employees.  I’ve eliminated hundreds of thousands of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse of public funds throughout my career.  I understand government and leadership.  I have Bachelor’s degrees from Kentucky State University (Applied Mathematics), University of Kentucky (Civil Engineering), and I’m a registered Professional Engineer.  I’m blessed to have not only worked in public service, but also the private sector and in our Butler County educational system.  I’ve also owned multiple successful small businesses and rental properties.  In addition, I’ve been blessed to receive two Gubernatorial appointments, one from a Democrat Governor and the other from a Republican.  I believe, as do many others, that I am the most qualified candidate for the office of Butler County Judge Executive.

 

Question3: Identify the key issues impacting the position for which you are running and describe how you would propose to address them as a public office holder?  

 

There are several key issues, all of which can be addressed through effective leadership….County services are suffering because the budget is strained now more than ever.  There are increased pension commitments looming for our county employees that must be responsibly addressed.  We need more industry and a qualified workforce to fill current and future vacancies.  We need to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime transition of the Natcher Parkway to I-165.  We need high-speed internet availability and affordability, county roadway improvements, county facilities improvements, and adequate marketing of Butler County  to attract tourism and industry.  I have established innumerable contacts from Pikeville to Paducah to Bowling Green to Louisville over the course of my career.  I plan to call upon any and all of them for help in achieving goals for Butler County.  Again, I have a “Butler County First” strategy.  We have a great preliminary plan available on my website www.muddforjudge.com  I unveiled this website on May 22, the evening after the primary.  To my knowledge, my opponent still has not communicated any sort of plan to move Butler County forward.    

  

Questions 4: As a potential or current elected official, what do you see as the proper role and function of local government? 

County government has a tremendous impact on our families, friends and neighbors.   I’ve made the statement many times that if we don’t have strong law enforcement, first responders and a top-notch EMS, we don’t really have a county.  I am the candidate that will back all our first responders.  Our people pay taxes, and they expect something in return for that investment.  County government does not have jurisdiction over the many divisive issues that seem to dominate the discussion at the state and national level.  I don’t waste time arguing those points.  The job of Judge/Executive is very closely related to jobs I’ve had all throughout my career.  I repeat……I will implement a “Butler County First” strategy.   Too often, Butler County is left behind while other counties and communities reap the benefits from increased industry, tourism and state/federal funding.  Butler County will have a seat at every economic opportunity table that is out there.  I’ll see to it.          

 

Question5: What is your long-term vision for Butler County? 

 

I envision a Butler County that is prosperous, on the cutting edge, and realizing our potential, while still maintaining our hometown culture.  It will be a place that our children and grandchildren can make an honest, decent living while still serving as a safe and fulfilling home in which to raise a family.  Our campaign has been working hard for several weeks. We are seeing more and more people “Believe in Butler County Again.”    

 

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