Carmical questions opponents’ residency

A Williamsburg college professor, who is running for state senate, claims that neither of his opponents in the May primary, including Senate President David Williams, meet the residency requirements to run for the office, however, Williams says the claims are bogus and that his opponent is mudslinging.
Oline Carmical said in an interview Monday afternoon that he plans to file some type of legal challenge regarding Williams and Bob Devore Jr.’s candidacy for the 16th state senate seat that Williams currently occupies.
“Mr. Williams lives in Russell Springs, which is Russell County, and not in the 16th senatorial district. He either lives there, or he is not living with his current wife,” Carmical said. “Russell County is in the 15th not the 16th senate district.
“As for Mr. Devore, he lists Mt. Washington as his address that is in Bullitt County, which is on the other end of the state. It is just outside Louisville, and obviously not in the 16th senatorial district. The state constitution says as interpreted in two court cases that a person must reside for one full year minimum in the district before he or she takes the oath of office.”
The 16th Senate District is composed of Whitley, McCreary, Wayne, Clinton, Cumberland, and Monroe counties.
“If Mr. Carmical wants to come to my house in Burkesville, I would be glad to allow him to take a picture of it. I have lived in Burkesville my entire life,” Williams said. “My wife is a resident of Russell Springs. She has a house in Russell Springs. She comes down here on occasions she is working over in Clinton and in Wayne County, and on weekends.
“I, on occasion, stay at her house. My residence is here in Burkesville. It has always been here in Burkesville. Oline is just a troublemaker. If he thinks my residence is not here, he needs to come forward. There is nothing I can do about Oline Carmical. He has always been a marginal figure in politics.”
In October 2004, Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed Williams’ wife, Robyn Williams as district judge in the 40th judicial district, which includes Russell, Clinton and Wayne counties.
Carmical said he plans to file some type of legal challenge to Williams and Devore’s candidacy, but whether it will be in court or with the state board of elections will be left up to his attorney.
Carmical said he feels his chances of success with a court challenge are “about 100 percent. I wouldn’t pursue it, if I weren’t 100 percent certain. If I hadn’t read every word of those two court decisions, and saw that they sustain the position I am taking. Of course there is always a chance the state supreme court can reverse that, but only they can do it.”
The basis for Carmical’s argument revolves around addresses listed on the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website for the candidates.
According to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website, Robyn Edmonds Williams election filings list an address of P.O. Box 636 in Russell Springs, while David Williams filings list an address of P.O. Box 666 in Burkesville. The website currently has Devore listing an address of P.O. Box 1550, Mt. Washington.
Williams said the allegations are old news, and that a television station news crew came to his home in Burkesville, and that of his wife in Russell Springs some time ago, and took pictures of both residences.
“She had the house that she has now prior to our marriage. I have the house that I have now prior to our marriage. I shall continue to reside in my house. It is not unusual whatsoever,” Williams said Tuesday afternoon. “It is not any of Oline Carmical’s business as far as how many nights my wife stays over here, and how many nights I stay at her house.
“I stay here in Burkesville. It is my home. It is where I live. I stayed here last night, and the night before that. During the legislative sessions, I stay in Frankfort probably four nights a week. During the last year and a half before my father passed away, frequently I had to stay in Louisville to try and take care of him. Oline is just a political gnat fly.
“I don’t expect anything else from him, but that, but we will let the people of this district decide if I have adequately represented them. Oline has no record to run on, only scurrilous attacks.”
Williams said he also disputes Carmical’s claims that Devore has a residency problem. He said Devore’s father lives in Mt. Washington, and that Devore is using that as a campaign address.
“Devore lives over in McCreary County. He works in McCreary County,” Williams said.
Carmical has lived in Whitley County since 1974. Carmical said he lived for two years off Reasor Street in Corbin before moving to the Highland Park area of Williamsburg. The Secretary of State’s website lists his address as 10 Joan Street, Williamsburg.
A spokesperson for Williams noted that the address for his home is 201 Southwind Drive, Burkesville.