Hillbilly Report

Open Letter To Our New Chair: Charlie Moore

James Pence Videos

Dear Chairman Moore,
Congratulations and I wish you the best of luck.
I am writing you from my experiences of traveling all over the state talking to regular folks, County Party Chairs, Democratic candidates and County Executive Committee members.
My experiences have shown me that the Kentucky Democratic Party is all but dead in many parts of rural Kentucky and my experiences with my own, Hardin County Democratic Party, are not unlike the experiences of  many others like me.
When I attempted to become active in the Hardin County Democratic Party it became obvious to me that the local "Party Leadership" wanted to get rid of me because I was a "blogger" but according to my sources, good sources, the real reason was because then Congressman Ron Lewis met with a Local Democratic candidate and Ron Lewis gave the local Democrat politician a stack of pages printed out from the Hillbilly Report and told the local Democrat politician (while pointing his finger at the local Democrat’s chest with authority) he was going to hold a news conference about my blog and request that the Hardin County Democrats remove me from the Executive Committee. Three days later July 6th 2006 Larry Ashlock, Chairman of the Hardin County Democrat Party asked me to consider resigning as an Executive Committee Member. Coincidence, I don’t think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You see what being active in the Democratic Party, in rural Kentucky, gets you Mr. Moore?  I resigned because I just didn't have time for all the bullshit and I decided to work on my own to help get Democratic Candidates elected and to get Larry Ashlock removed as the Chair of the Hardin County Party and that was accomplished, but it didn't make much difference because our new Chair Les Dawson, is not much better, if any. I don't believe the Hardin County Democratic Party has had an event since they were elected at the April 12, 2008 - County/Legislative District Conventions. If they have neither me or my Hardin County Democratic fiends have been informed. Maybe they don't want us there or God forbid they don't know how to use email and don't even look for a website because there ain't none.
You see Mr. Moore here in rural Kentucky if you want to be active in Democratic politics there will come a time when the local Democratic leadership might expect you to kiss a Republican's ass and I ain't gonna do that.
Mr. Moore your plate is full and I don't envy your task. I'm ready, as always, to work to the best of my ability to help turn Kentucky Blue again, but I'm going do it my way and not get involved with pseudo Democrats that waste my time with bullshit (see below).
James Pence

• Did Ron Lewis Meet In A Closet With A Local Hardin County Democrat Politician To Express His Anger With The Hillbilly Report?
• Chairman Of Hardin County Democrat Executive Committee has Asked Me To Consider Resigning My position As An Executive Committee Member!
• I No Longer Consider Myself A Member Of The Hardin County Democrat Executive Committee.
• The Hillbilly Report Is Requesting Larry Ashlock, Chairman Of The Hardin County Democratic Party To Resign.
• Sherry Kelley Elected Chair of Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee.
• Larry Ashlock, Esq. Email
• Information I Have Received Concerning Larry Ashlock’s Fund Raising Claims.
• A Member Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee Forwarded Me This Email 
• Want To Know Why Democrats Can’t Win In Hardin County Kentucky?
• Hardin County Democrats – Get Your Act Together.
• Hardin County Kentucky Democrats?

It's Not On The Agenda!

James Pence Videos

February 17, 2009 Steve Atcher made a motion to rescind the Elizabethtown, Ky. restaurant tax and the following conversation between City Council Member began:

• Marty Fulkerson "May I question Roberts Rules, I think that has to be on the public agenda".
• Ron Thomas: "I think that has to be an agenda item before it can".
• Steve Atcher: "I don't think so".
• Marty Fulkerson: "Well Let's see if you can get a second".
• Steve Atcher: That's fine with me. That will show where everyone stands".

When it became obvious there would be no second to Steve Atcher's motion Ron Thomas said: " Mayor I suggest that the item was not listed as a agenda item. It did not get a second we move on to the next order of business".

The next order of business was a motion made by Kenny Lewis (not on the agenda) to employ Don Hill as Superintendent Of Public Works. This motion received a second and all the sudden, it appeared to, me that a motion not being on the agenda wasn't a problem.

• Voting for the motion: Kenny Lewis, Tim Walker and Marty Fulkerson.

• Voting against the motion: Steve Atcher, Larry Ashlock, and Ron Thomas.

• Mayor  David Willmoth, Jr. cast the deciding vote to rehire hire Don Hill .

I have a question for Mayor Willmoth and it is as follows: Would it be too much trouble for someone to update the city website to include the current members on the Elizabethtown City Council? Maybe that can be put on the agenda!
James Pence

Sherry Kelley Elected Chair of Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
June 1, 2007
Hardin County, KY – On Tuesday May 29, 2007 the Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee elected Sherry Kelley as their new chair. Ms. Kelley is ready to get to the business of leading the party; “I appreciate the hard work of my predecessor, Larry Ashlock. I am looking forward to serving as chair of this committee. We will continue to move forward with our plans to get Democrats elected – starting with Steve Beshear as our next governor.”

Information I Have Received Concerning Larry Ashlock’s Fund Raising Claims.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
June 1, 2007

In Larry Ashlock’s email The Hardin County News Enterprise, Larry claimed to have raised $19,000.00. 

$1800 was raised at the first chili supper and auction--This was a committee function that was bolstered up by the candidates generous bidding.  The idea for this event did not come from Larry and he in no way helped to set it up.

$7000 was raised for the Democrat Explosion at Freeman Lake--This event was actually arranged by Doug Goodman's campaign and he graciously allowed the committee to take the credit for it.  That money was raised by Dottye Moore, Winnie Townsend, and Doug Goodman.  Again, Larry in no way helped with raising this money and again, the idea was not his.

$1500 was raised for the radio advertisement the day before the election--This money was raised in less than two hours.  Matt Wyatt and Kathi Monday raised all of that money.  Larry's voice was the one on the radio, but he was given a full script prepared by Matt.  He simply read what he was told to read and left. 

$1000 was raised for the float--Rik Hawkins approached Larry about the float, offered it to the committee.  To spruce up the float, we collected money from our candidates, asking them to buy into our united theme.  Larry did not approach those candidates, Rik Hawkins, Kathi Monday, Winnie Townsend and myself approached the candidates about the money.

$3000 was given to us by the state party--We were promised this money and as deadlines loomed it appeared that the state would fall through on the promise.  I asked Larry several times to call the party and ask again for our money.  After putting me off for several weeks, he flatly refused to make the phone call.  I called the state party and was told that I needed to speak directly with the State Chairman.  I was able to get Jerry Lundergan's cell phone number from Mike Weaver and I called him.  Our check was delivered to Larry 24 hours after I talked with Mr. Lundergan.  Larry not only had nothing to do with getting the money, but he even refused to help me and make the phone calls that he should have been making.

$3000 was donated to the committee for the advertising campaign--This money came from our candidates.  Winnie Townsend contacted the candidates and even presented the advertising plan to the committee.  Again, this idea was not Larry's and he even had to be persuaded to buy into it.

These figures are rounded and Larry knows where to go to get the exact figures.

Larry D. Ashlock, Esq., Former Chairman Of The Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee Email.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
June 1, 2007
Thank you Larry for sending this email, and telling us your side of this issue.
THE EMAIL
After last nights email, many of you have asked me for more information concerning who was behind removing me as chair, who called the meeting, what grounds, etc.  I will do the best I can tonight to get you all of the information and will address other aspects of this affair as my time allows.

First, I believe that Jim Pence, who runs a web log known as www.hillbillyreport.com, manipulated members of the executive committee to call the meeting to remove me as chair.  My grounds for this belief and other information are as follows:

1.  On Tuesday, May 15, Jim Pence posts a message on his blog requesting that I resign as chairman because (a) I have not kicked members off for attendance issues; (b) Steve Beshear called a late fundraiser in Louisville with Jonathan Miller and Irv Maze and I canceled a meeting so members could attend who wanted too; (c) the ongoing website issue and (d) I have discouraged Democrats (which one(s) I do not know and no one has told me) from running from office.  A copy of the post is attached hereto.  (At least he did use a good picture, thanks Jim.)

2.  On Friday, May 18, Jim Pence emailed secretary Becky Bishop the attached email requesting various documents, including executive committee meeting minutes.

3.  By shear coincidence I guess, on Monday, May 21, (the day before the primary election mind you) executive committee members Hayley Pierce and Kathi Monday come to my office at closing time to ask that I resign.  By another stroke of shear coincidence, they repeat the same reasons to me that appeared on Jim Pence's May 15 blog entry.  When I refuse to resign, they say they have the votes and that they would be calling a meeting to remove me.

4.  On Tuesday, May 22, primary election day, Hayley Pierce dropped off the attached call for meeting sometime that afternoon.  It is hard to read, but the call was signed by Kathi Monday, Matt Wyatt, Jodie Bodnar, Hayley Pierce, Sherry Keith Kelley and Dorothy Leonard.  I informed her (Hayley) that I could not attend such as meeting because of my T-ball teams previously scheduled game.  I was unable to respond further to the call because I attended Steve Beshear's victory celebration that night in Frankfort and had client meetings all morning Wednesday, May 23.  At 3:10 pm on Wednesday, Kathi Monday sends out the attached email calling the meeting on her own.

5.  Other members attempted to push back the meeting, but Kathi refused to cancel it.

6.  In another conversation with Hayley Pierce, I learned that Sherry Kelley was going to be installed as chair and her first order of business was going to be to remove Barney Hornback and Don Brandenburg for attendance issues.  These were the two individuals whom Jim Pence was referring to in his May 15 email.  Thanks to Jim Pence's request for information, it came to my attention that six others were also in violation of the attendance policy and I issued the attached order by email removing all of those member so Barney and Don wouldn't be railroaded since it was the committees previous vote not to remove these members.  I have attached the appropriate minutes where this vote took place:

April 2006 Democratic Executive Committee meeting

There was a lot of discussion about members of the executive committee that have not been in regular attendance.  The By-laws state that we must meet as a committee at least quarterly and not miss more than two meetings.  We have been meeting almost monthly.  Jim Cantrall made the motion that we adhere strictly to the rules of the By-laws and dismiss members not meeting the attendance requirements.  Kathi Monday seconded.  There was much discussion on this motion.  A roll call vote was called for.  Vote results:  5 in support of the motion and 7 against the motion; the motion failed to pass. 

I guess some people just do not like the democratic process.

7.  As I have said, I did not attend the meeting, but apparently there was some pretty bad stuff said about me while I was not there.  I have attached a document that was prepared by someone and passed around at the meeting.  I'll let you decide what information is hearsay (the reasons do not say who is alleging what, where the information came from, etc.) and what is not since there aren't any documents attached backing up the "reasons" like I have done in this email. 

8.  Again, I believe that all of this was orchestrated by Jim Pence.  He hasn't been to a meeting in about a year and it just so happened he showed up to this one and apparently videotaped the whole thing according to his email.  (Can you really put together any more coincidences without it becoming the truth?)

9.  Lastly, I did finally receive a letter, today, Thursday, from Sherry Kelley, attached hereto, informing me that I was removed by a vote of seven to four.  No phone call or face to face meeting, just this letter.  I have not been given an official document noting who the seven were who voted to remove, but when I obtain it I will get it out to you.

Thank you all for your time and email me ashlockl@aol.com back if you have any questions or problems downloading the documents. 
Yours truly,
Larry D. Ashlock, Esq.

Download ajimpencepost.tif

Download bjimpenceinforequest.tif

Download callformeeting.tif

Download dcallformeetingemail.tif

Download eorderofthechair.tif

Download forderofthechairemail.tif

Download greasonsformeeting.tif

Download hletterfromsherrykelly.tif

Larry Ashlock, Esq. Email

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 31, 2007
Last night I received the email below concerning Larry Ashlock, Esq. former Chairman of the Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee.
It should be noted Sarah Berkshire of The Hardin County News Enterprise also received this email and that is the only reason I’m blogging this.

I have video of the meeting mentioned in the email that will confirm who is lying and who is telling the truth.

I understand the committee gave Larry Ashlock, Esq. the opportunity to call a meeting at the time of his choosing and he declined to call a meeting. If that is true, Larry Ashlock’s claim about coaching his 6 year old son’s T-ball team at the time of the meeting is a weak excuse and could be considered manipulative.

The email also contains the following, and I quote:
“There are more factual inaccuracies that were apparently thrown around at the meeting that removed me as chair that I will address in the future.  I thought you all might want to know about them.”

“I have just received a list of reasons for removing me as chair, most of which are hearsay statements and cannot really by countered.”

I have this suggestion. Be a big boy Larry and send Sarah Berkshire of The Hardin County News Enterprise and me the list of reasons mentioned above for removing the chairman and I will post them giving you the opportunity to refute each of them. Until then I will consider the email content below lame excuses and the same old Bull Shit.
Jim Pence, D.A.H.

The Email:
from "ashlockl@aol.com" <ashlockl@aol.com>  11:55 pm (2½ hours ago)  to ashlockl@aol.com,
sberkshire@thenewsenterprise.com dateMay 30, 2007 11:55 PM subjectRE: Larry
Ashlock's response to removal as chair mailed-byaol.com

Although I have not yet received official confirmation from the Hardin County democratic executive committee, I was apparently removed as chair at a hastily called meeting this past Tuesday evening.  At the time of the meeting, I was coaching my 6 year olds T-ball team and even though I could not attend, the vote proceeded in my absence.  I have just received a list of reasons for removing me as chair, most of which are hearsay statements and cannot really by countered.  However, there are many factual statements contained therein that are completely incorrect.  I will deal with each one as I am able to obtain the information.  In this email, I would like to address an allegation under the heading:
 III.  FUNDRAISING
There hasn't been any under this chair's watch.
Funny how the facts do not support this conclusion.
I have attached the records from the Secretary of State's office concerning the fundraising of both the Hardin Co. Democratic and Republican Executive Committees.  The following is the democratic fundraising totals for the corresponding election cycles:
2006:  $19,525.12
2004:  $3,122.90
2003:  $7,902.09
2002:  $11,572.50
2000:  $8077.70
I became chair in September 2005 and have had one election cycle to raise funds, the 2006 cycle.  It's interesting to note that the cycle I chaired had the most fundraising of any of the cycles.  Also, during the same period the county republican committee raised $15,363.60.  Not only did the democratic committee out raise the republican committee during my chair, it was the first time that that has ever occurred during the period of available records!
There are more factual inaccuracies that were apparently thrown around at the meeting that removed me as chair that I will address in the future.  I thought you all might want to know about them.  Thank you.
Yours truly,
Larry D. Ashlock, Esq.

A Member Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee Forwarded Me This Email

As all of you I am sure are aware, a meeting has been called with the
intent of removing me as chair.  I have a few brief comments and I
will leave you be.

1.  I have attached the official document calling the meeting with the signatures of the individuals who called the meeting.  I ask that the Secretary provide a copy of said document to any members at the meeting who have not received an official copy.

2.  I have knowledge to believe that one of the main reasons for removing me as chair is for the purpose that the new chair can pick and choose the individuals that can be removed for being absent from the mandatory number of meetings.  I have reason to believe a predetermined hand-picked chair may attempt to pick and chose who can
stay and who can go. Therefore, in order to justly enforce the appropriate provisions of the By-Laws, I have attached an Order which I will execute in the morning declaring all member's offices thereon vacant.  I will tender a copy of said Order to the Secretary, all members of the committee and the KDP in the morning after I have it notarized.

3.  I have included a copy of all of the attendance rosters since January 2005 for review by anyone who needs reference to absences of the affected individuals.  I would like to thank Jim Pence for bringing the rosters to my attention.

4.  I will regretablyt be unable to attend the meeting since my T-ball team has a game at the same time as the meeting.  I just could not bring myself to explain to my 6 year old, my wife, my players and their parents that the head coach had to miss a game for an executive committee meeting.

5.  If I am removed as chair, I would like to nominate and vote for Tony Bishop as my replacement as Chair.  I would like to nominate and vote for Loretta Crady as Vice-Chair.  (Or Vice Versa, it doesn't matter to me!!)  Becky Bishop is granted my proxy.

Thank you all for your time and I hope the meeting goes well.
Yours truly,
Larry D. Ashlock, Esq.

Since Larry Ashlock, Esq. mentioned my name, Jim Pence, in the above email to others, I feel obligated to point out that Larry Ashlock Esq. has been aware of this issue for a long time.

Excerpt from the November 17, 2005 Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee Meeting:
Some the members were concerned about the attendance of some of the committee members.  Chairman Ashlock will review the attendance records prior to the next meeting and report at the next meeting.
Excerpt from the January 19, 2006 Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee Meeting:
Attendance of executive committee members- Chairman Ashlock reviewed with the group what the by-laws state about attendance.  He will send a letter to all members of the committee reiterating the attendance policy. 
Excerpt from the April 27, 2006 Hardin County Democratic Executive Committee Meeting:
There was a lot of discussion about members of the executive committee that have not been in regular attendance.  The By-laws state that we must meet as a committee at least quarterly and not miss more than two meetings.  We have been meeting almost monthly.  Jim Cantrall made the motion that we adhere strictly to the rules of the By-laws and dismiss members not meeting the attendance requirements.  Kathi Monday seconded.  There was much discussion on this motion.  A roll call vote was called for.  Vote results:  5 in support of the motion and 7 against the motion; the motion failed to pass.
Jim Pence, DAH