November 6, 2005
News Article
The News Enterprise
408 W. Dixie Ave
Elizabethtown, KY  42701

Berry unveils new districts

Hardin County Judge/Executive Harry Berry has crafted a map with three commissioner districts roughly equal in population while maintaining the county’s three major identities in north, Elizabethtown and rural.

Three commissioners — one residing in each district — will replace the county’s eight magistrates in January 2007. In 2004, voters approved the change by a 52.4 percent to 47.8 percent margin.

Berry, who announced the district boundaries Friday, still had a few months to draw the map, but said he wanted to help prospective candidates.

“I personally believe it was in the best interest of those considering running for the office of Hardin County commissioner to know the district boundaries prior to the first day they are able to file for the election,” Berry said in a statement.

Candidates can begin filing Nov. 9 for the 2006 election. Each will run for a particular district the one in which he or she resides.

As opposed to the current magisterial system, residents throughout the county can vote for all three commissioners, who then will serve the needs of all districts.

“I think that increases each citizen’s input into the process,” Berry said.

Under the current system, each voter has a say in only two positions in control of fiscal policy Judge/Executive and the magistrate from their district. Next year, that number will increase to four.

“I believe the commission form of Fiscal Court will provide a better county unity and more consolidated effort in moving Hardin County government forward toward improved services, allocation of resources, and focused efforts toward opportunities for planned growth and prosperity,” Berry said.

For that reason, having boundaries at all may seem to run counter to the all-for-one thrust of the commissioner form government.

The reason for the districts is one of perception.

Berry believes the way the map is divided creates a “strong likelyhood” at least one commissioner will live in a rural or unincorporated area.

The map is divided into three sectors: District A, which includes Vine Grove, Radcliff, Fort Knox and West Point; District B, encompassing Elizabethtown and Colesburg; and District C, which sweeps across rural Hardin County from Big Springs to Upton and the LaRue County line.

If he had passed all the districts through Elizabethtown, for instance, all three of the commissioners could have lived there. That arrangement might have created an impression that other parts of the county weren’t properly represented.

While commissioners keep the needs of the entire county in mind, they could have unique viewpoints and understandings depending on where they live, said Bill Hay, a magistrate who plans to run for commissioner. For instance, someone like Hay, who lives in a rural area, might have a better grasp of agricultural issues.

“That’s pretty much the way I had envisioned it,” Hay said of Berry’s map. “I think that’s fair.”

Magistrate Phillip Crady also said the boundaries are what he expected.

Under state law, Berry had to follow two guidelines — the districts must be unbroken and as equal in population as possible.

The boundary lines, which do not break up precincts, may change if officials adjust precinct

lines or if the population shifts when the 2010 Census is conducted.

Constable and justice of the peace districts will follow the commissioner boundaries.