By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
During the regularly scheduled meeting of the Barren County Economic Authority board on Friday morning, David Peterson, chairman of the board, along with Maureen Carpenter, CEO and president of the authority, and board member Larry Glass, issued a statement of apology to other board members for an independent expenditure made to the Democratic Governors’ Association in March of this year.
Peterson read the statement of apology at the start of the meeting.
According to the statement, Glass was approached, before being appointed to the board, by people with close connections to Governor Beshear’s administration and inquired if he would be interested in “representing Barren County” at an event hosted by the governor during the Kentucky Derby, scheduled to last several days over the weekend.
Glass was not interested in attending the event, but seeing there would be “individuals with business connections who might be looking to locate their operations in the commonwealth” and numerous “economic development dignitaries,” he offered the opportunity to Carpenter.
The price of admission was $12,500, which Carpenter, through the funds Glass gave to the Economic Authority, paid to the DGA. According to her, this allowed her attendance at the two events — the Governor’s Gala and the Derby — but were not politically motivated. It was a chance to network with people and “get Barren out there.”
“It was an opportunity to network with the leadership with economic development at the state level, the commissioner of economic development and the secretary of economic development,” Carpenter said. “Also at this you had people that have announced projects over the last year, so it’s an opportunity to talk to them about potential supplier networks and opportunities they may have for our community.”
The money was run through the Economic Authority, Carpenter said, because she did not view it as a donation, but rather a promotion opportunity.
“In the conversation after we decided we would go, Larry said, ‘Do you mind if I pay you the money and you write the check?'” Carpenter said. “My thing was well it’s an economic development expense, we are going there to promote Barren County for economic development purposes, which is why it was ran through the authority.”
Carpenter, Glass and Peterson all agreed that this was an oversight on their part and the intentions of going was not to promote any political party or candidate, but to hopefully bring development to the county.
“All intentions were very well and good,” Carpenter said. “We are trying very hard to improve the relationships with Barren County and Frankfort and this was an opportunity to say, ‘Hey, we’re here and we are in the economic development game and we’re ready for investment and growth.’ That was the only intent.”
In the written statement Peterson apologized for the oversight saying “it was inappropriate and reflected poorly on the organization.”
Glass likewise apologized for the expenditure saying he takes full responsibility for the ordeal.
“I want to apologize to this board,” Glass said. “There was not ill intent here. My motivation was to help Barren County. I’ve been doing this for 35 plus years; I’ve worked with every administration we’ve had in Kentucky for the last 35 years. I’ve always tried to better Barren County and this was an opportunity that I did not think I should attend, I thought Maureen should attend if she wanted to. She did make a lot of connections and do a lot of networking so I doubt in six months if we have a big announcement there will be any criticism at that time.”
They announced that the authority policy on “internal safeguards” and a “clear policy prohibiting participation by the Authority in political campaigns” will be discussed at the BCEA’s meeting next week.
Carpenter also said at next week’s meeting they will discuss changes to their policy regarding selling of their spec building to people, or businesses, who brought jobs and not to developers.
Carpenter also presented to the board members the Authority’s financial statements ending July 31. According to the report the Authority has $66,699.73 as the total revenue for the month and expenditures at $36,237.73.
After the financial report the Authority went into closed session to discuss “future acquisition or sale” of property. Once the board came back into open session no action was taken and there were no committee reports.
The next Barren County Economic Authority meeting is scheduled for Sept.15.
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