Published: February 03, 2006 02:53 pm            

Fletcher laid low during stealth-like visit

February 03, 2006 — State Attorney General Grady Stumbo may not get his wish and indict Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Only time will tell.

But if cowardice was a crime, Ernie should, indeed, be in the hoosegow.

Fletcher tip-toed into town on Wednesday, for an oddly-timed visit to Oakwood, with a few members of the “state media” in tow. He failed to alert the Commonwealth Journal, Somerset’s only newspaper.

And, truth be known, some of his Republican pals didn’t know he was in Pulaski County, either.

On top of that, Fletcher was the bearer of unpleasant news. He insinuated Oakwood may have to be closed, which would put some 1,200 people out of work.

The guess here is that Fletcher’s rather low profile on Wednesday had a lot to do with the pressing question of a possible second hospital in Pulaski County.

You might remember that, a few short months ago during a visit to General Burnside Island State Park, the governor was rather eager to discuss the hospital topic.

He bluntly said that if the majority of Pulaski Countians wanted a second hospital, they could not be ignored.

But was that realistic?

Probably not.

When each side of the issue is examined, there probably is not enough “need” for another hospital in Somerset.

But Fletcher’s fence-sitting has kept the issue white hot.

Fact is, the governor knew there would be no second hospital in Somerset months ago. So why did he allow the issue to snowball into something that may irritate voters throughout the region?

Again, it may be because of that yellow streak.

He didn’t want to tell the Republican big-wigs — in this GOP stronghold — that he couldn’t twitch his nose and grant their wish.

So he instead led them down a primrose path straight to a brick wall.

And now he has to come clean.

There will be no second hospital and, oh by the way, you may lose Oakwood, too.

It’s almost comical that Fletcher was glorified by Republicans as the man to galvanize the party and lead it into power in Kentucky.

Fletcher’s legacy may be even more ironic, given a local twist.

When Louie Nunn, the last Republican prior to Fletcher to be elected governor of Kentucky, defeated Democrat Henry Ward in 1967, it was in part due to his resounding victory right here. Pulaski County was awarded with the Oakwood facility being brought to our community.

In 2003, Fletcher got the same kind of support as Nunn did from Pulaski, winning the county by an overwhelming 18,000-vote margin.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if Oakwood was shut down under Ernie’s already-tarnished administration?

        

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