From staff reports

Kent Slusher will replace April Rose Prather as 4th district magistrate later this month.

Slusher is a Republican and a graduate of Jessamine County High School and the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in forest biology.

He has 24 year’s experience as a state forester and ranger with the Kentucky Division of forestry and two and half years’ experience as a horticulturalist with LFUCG.

His civic involvement includes being active in the Jessamine County Schools and serving as a substitute teacher, bus driver, coach, booster president of the wrestling and track team, volunteering his time with his children at the Jessamine County Animal Shelter and also helping for more than 20 years with the Jessamine County tree giveaway for Arbor Day.

JJ: What in your background prepared you for your new role?

KS: Privately, I have lived a life of participation in the community. 

My mother and father moved here in 1969 and I have lived here my entire life. 

I have been active with our school systems, parks and recreation, cooperative extension and the animal shelter.  These were all voluntary positions.

Professionally, I served Jessamine County and the surrounding counties as a state forester and forest ranger. In that position I worked closely with county fire departments and volunteer departments. I led the state in educational programs which included tree giveaway to the schools and community. 

JJ: Why did you choose to seek public office?

KS: I chose to run simply to serve. With my background in the community and the outreach within my life, I wanted to be a voice for District 4 in the fiscal court. I want to also be accessible to the people of Jessamine County for that community voice to be heard.

JJ: If you could tell the public one thing about yourself, what would it be?

KS: I value how people treat people. This is something I express in everything I do. I enjoy working with people of different backgrounds and seeing potential.

Focusing, commitment and team building go a long way when faced with issues. Building an environment in the court that exudes cooperation and business will translate through Jessamine County and be attractive for companies and families.

JJ: What are your future plans in politics?

KS: My political plans are to serve as Magistrate for District 4. Beyond that, I have no aspirations at this time.

JJ: What is something no one in the public might know about you?

KS: My wife and I have triplets. I joked during the campaign that at our height we changed 27 diapers in a day and anyone who can change 27 diapers in a day can change the world. 

I also have a paw paw plantation and a persimmon orchard and I give the fruit away.

JJ: What do you do for work besides the city commission?

KS: My career is plant- and tree-oriented. After retiring from the Kentucky Division of Forestry, I took the position of horticulturalist with LFUCG.

JJ: What do you do in your spare time?

KS: My spare time is spent fishing and gardening. I describe myself as complicatedly simple. I will go to great lengths and work hard to keep things simple.

JJ: What do you look forward to accomplishing in 2019?

KS: 2019 will be a year where Jessamine County moves forward and continues to be a place that I value dearly. 

We have issues and there is no better time than 2019 to provide solutions. 

I know this is an incredibly general statement, but as I stated before, I think simply. Every person, every family, every community has problems to solve. The ones twho  take on the problems headfirst are the ones who have accomplishments to reflect on.