Gilbert announces plans to file for judge-executive

A well-known county politician announced his third straight run for County Judge-Executive Monday, but this time he’s throwing his name in the ring as a Republican.
Leroy Gilbert, a 66-year-old retired ironworker who was elected to a five-year term to the office from 1993-98 as a Democrat, said he intends to file official paperwork today to regain his former title as a Republican.
“I’ve got Republican views. I started out in politics as a Republican,” Gilbert said. “I just thought I’d change over and come on home.”
Gilbert’s term as Judge-Executive was his first and only stint in elective office. He defeated embattled incumbent Jerry Taylor, but then lost the next election cycle to current Judge-Executive Mike Patrick. He lost again to Patrick in the 2002 general election.
When Gilbert took office in 1993, the county faced a $400,000 debt and no money to pay road crew employees and Sheriff’s Deputies.
“I thought I done a good job last time,” Gilbert said. “I just buckled down. We had about $400,000 in bills. I just started paying them off a little at a time. When I left office, we were nearly $400,000 to the good. All the bills were paid.”
Gilbert said he hopes to bring the same type of fiscal restraint this time around in order to eliminate the need for the one percent payroll tax. The county’s fiscal court passed the tax over the summer when it was apparent spending deficits could not be overcome without it.
“I’m totally, 100 percent against the occupational tax,” Gilbert said. “I don’t think it would have to be necessary if you know how to run a business. You’ve got the run the County-Judge’s office like a business. You don’t spend more money than you take in.”
Gilbert said, if elected, he’d like to be in a position to repeal the tax.
“Before I leave there, it will be gone.”
Gilbert and his wife, Mary Ann, have three children and seven grandchildren. He is a member of East Corbin Baptist Church.
Gilbert said he intends to file for the office because he loves politics and he loves a challenge.
“I’ve had hundreds of people calling me and talking to me telling me to run,” he said. “I want the challenge of getting the county out of debt and doing away with the occupational tax. It won’t be easy, but I want rid of it.”