Wright announces campaign for district court judge

Eric Paul Wright said he is pleased to announce his candidacy for District Court Judge in Jessamine County for the 2018 election. With more than a decade of experience as a prosecutor, Wright said he considers himself fortunate to live and work in the community.

“It has truly been a privilege to work every day to improve the lives of others seeking help in some of their worst times, and to work with our local law enforcement officers to make Jessamine County a safer place to raise a family,” Wright said.

In his role as District Court Judge, Wright said that he will continue to serve the community he loves. This campaign serves as his first time running for office, and he said the first time in almost two decades the voters of Jessamine County will have the opportunity to select a new District Judge.

“While I am running against an incumbent, this campaign will not be a campaign of negativity towards another person,” Wright said. “Instead this will be a positive campaign of change and the opportunity to try new approaches to some of the issues our community faces. As someone that regularly practices in District Court, including our juvenile courts, I think the time is right to try something new. This isn’t just about a new job to me, this is about family. I want my wife of nearly ten years and my two little boys, just like you do with your families, to live in the best community possible. We all want safer schools, safer neighborhoods, and opportunities for all of our children to succeed. I want to help make that happen and I look forward to trying to earn your votes.”

Sallee seeking re-election as county jailer

Jon R. Sallee., Republican, announces his candidacy for re-election as Jessamine County Jailer.

Sallee has served as the Jessamine County Jailer since 2011 and has 16 years corrections and law enforcement experience.  Before becoming  the  Jailer,  Sallee was a Deputy with The Jessamine County Sheriffs Office.  During his law enforcement career Sallee also served with the Nicholasville Police Department, the Bluegrass Airport Public Safety Department, and served for two years as a member of the Jessamine County Sheriffs Department Special Response Team. Sallee has volunteered for the Jessamine County Fire District  for 20 years, as well as served 12 years with the Wilmore Fire Department.

“I am proud to have served Jessamine County, my hometown, as Jailer since 2011,” Sallee said. “During my 20-year career in public safety as a law enforcement officer and firefighter I have gained the experience that is necessary to lead the Detention Center forward.”

Jon R Sallee was elected to the Kentucky Jailers Association Board of Directors from 2011-2012 and 2014-2015. Throughout his Law Enforcement career he has been recognized on many occasions for his outstanding public service as both a law enforcement officer and firefighter. Among his highest honors are a 2007 National Association of Police Officers “TOP COP” award, and the Kentucky Peace Officers Association 2007-2008 Peace Officer of the Year award. Both of these awards were given in recognition of his heroic acts as a first responder to the crash of Flight 5191.

Sallee is married to Mandy (Jenkins) Sallee, and together they have four daughters. He is the Son of the late Robert Sallee and Phyllis A. Sallee of Wilmore.  Sallee and his family are also members of Jessamine Christian Church.

“As always, my priorities will be safety of the public, my staff and the inmates,” Sallee said. “I am thankful for your support and ask for your vote on May 22nd.”

Walters announces campaign for county magistrate

Mark A. Walters has lived in Jessamine County for 48 years and announced he will be running for Jessamine County magistrate in the 2018 election. He is the son of Manuel Leander Walters Sr. and Sue Ball Walters, and has three brothers Manuel Jr., Connie and Wayne Walters. Walters has three sisters; Denis Adams, Kimberly Gross and Lelia Huffman. He is the husband of the former Teresa Laney with whom he has two sons Joseph and Mark L. Walters. He also has two grandchildren, Will and Addison.

“In 1995 I went into business for myself building new homes in the  county,” Walters said. “Today, I continue to work on new and remodeled construction. I have also been employed by two outstanding construction companies in this area, Meyer Midwest and Hayden Company Inc. I support controlled growth, keeping in mind environmental effects, as well as the effect development will have on roads, schools and businesses.”

Walters said he is proud of the fifth district, and if elected he will be a voice for each resident.

“I will always consider what is best for this district and our county,” Walters said. “I would like to work closely with parks and recreation promoting programs and good behavior for our youth. I would like for the county to look at updating our jail system, including a rehabilitation program to insure those individuals have a successful transition back into our community. To my friends and neighbors of the 5th district, my promise to you is, if elected, I will listen to you first before making any decisions. My door will always be open and my phone line as well. I hope you will consider me as your representative as I respectfully ask for your vote on May 22.”

Cassidy announces campaign for county judge-executive

Mike Cassidy, a 17-year veteran employee of the Jessamine County Fiscal Court, announces his campaign for Judge-Executive.

“I began my career with the Fiscal Court at the very bottom of the ladder and with hard work and dedication I was able to climb to the top,” Cassidy said. “During my career with Fiscal Court I have served as the Director of Animal Care and Control, Director of Environmental Services, Director of Public Services and currently Director of Home Incarceration and Drug Monitoring at the Detention Center. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to work with nearly every department within the county government which I feel gives me the advantage of hands on experience. During my career with the Fiscal Court I have secured $911,288 in grant funds for programs like recycling, environmental cleanups, fire department equipment, rescue equipment, building construction, roadside litter programs, hazardous waste cleanups, flood damage cleanup, waste tire cleanups and parks and recreation projects.”

Cassidy has also served with the Jessamine County Fire District for the past 18 years and is currently the Administrative Major for the District.

“The Fire District was my first experience in public service and is where I discovered that I wanted to make a career serving Jessamine County,” Cassidy said. “With my current rank and the two years that I served on the district’s Board of Trustees I have gained valuable experience in managing a budget of over $1,000,000 and the experience of handling personnel issues. I have decided to run for Jessamine County Judge Executive because I want to make a real and lasting difference in our community. I am ready to lead our County and make the changes that are necessary to ensure that our families have bright futures.”

Cassidy lives on Sugar Creek Pike in Nicholasville with his wife Tara Rhorer Cassidy and their two children; Addison, 9; and Carter, 4.

Teater announces campaign for third-term as city commissioner

Patty Grose Teater announced her campaign for re-election in the office of Nicholasville City Commissioner.

A life-long resident of Jessamine County, Teater is the daughter of Raymond and Mary Lynn Grose, and sister of David Grose.

Teater has been married to David Teater (son of Merrell and Jeannie Teater) for 37 years. Together they have three children, Clint Teater, married to Alisha Gorham Teater; Mandy Murphy, married to Andrew Murphy; and Abby Teater, who is scheduled to marry Jimmy White on July 21. Teater also has four grandsons Dylan Teater, Mason Teater, Jax Teater, and Knox Murphy.

“I am in my second term as a commissioner of this great city and I am very proud of the many accomplishments made,” Teater said.

“Maintaining a balanced budget, strong infrastructure and exciting projects currently in development are results of continued hard work and desire to make Nicholasville the best city it can be.”

Teater said one thing she has fought hard for and committed to during her two year term as city commissioner is ensuring smart and controlled growth in Jessamine County.

“I’m not intimidated about standing for what I believe is right, even if it means standing alone,” Teater said. “We have a thriving city.  Therefore, we can and we should be selective in the growth that we allow. I will not stop fighting for this. Your input and ideas are always important to me.

“I am accessible and available to listen to all concerns of our citizens. I will never vote on anything without researching and understanding it first. That is my responsibility. I humbly ask for your vote on May 22 and am happy to answer any questions you may have.”