Voters made some good selections during election

Overall, I thought voters made some pretty good choices for their next elected officials during last week’s May Primary Election.

Mark White is Editor of The News Journal.

Voters gave the nod to Bill Elliotte, who is a 31-year law enforcement veteran, to become Whitley County’s next sheriff by a 500-vote margin over his closest opponent.

Elliotte was a long-time Kentucky State Police (KSP) road trooper in Whitley County in addition to working in administration at KSP for several years retiring as a lieutenant. Elliotte is immensely qualified for the job having many years of experience actively investigating crimes and supervising employees.

The man he has tabbed to be his chief deputy, Tony Dingess, is a very good hire. Dingess was a long-time KSP road trooper assigned to Whitley County, who also retired as a lieutenant from KSP.

I look forward to seeing what they accomplish while in office, but expect good things from them.

Also, during the primary election, Republicans selected Whitley County 911 Director Jason Wilson as their nominee for Whitley County Jailer. He edged out Williamsburg Police Lt. Brandon White by 400 votes.

While Wilson has no experience working in corrections, he has worked as a police officer, probation and parole officer and 911 director.

You can’t help but wonder what kind of impact the recent escape attempt at the Whitley County Detention Center by a convicted murderer and a man charged with murder had on this election as the other four candidates worked at the jail.

Wilson will face independent Troy Thomas this fall in the November General Election.

Now for a couple of other thoughts before I conclude this column.

• There was a nice turnout Saturday for the first ever BBQ in the Burg barbecue cookoff with seven pitmasters participating at River Fog Park.

This is an event with a great deal of potential for the future. I hope Williamsburg officials make it an annual event and it keeps growing.

Williamsburg’s Cumberland River Cruise-In antique car show had a lesser turnout Saturday.

This was likely due to the Third-Annual Corbin Rod Run, which was held at The Corbin Arena. I have to say they had an impressive number of participants at this two-day event Saturday with vehicles both inside and outside.

I really like looking at antique cars. These old vehicles are real works of art compared to the stuff being manufactured today. The hood ornaments alone on many of these old vehicles are miniature statues.

Hopefully the Cumberland River Cruise-In will be back up to full strength when it returns on the third Saturday in June.

• The last barbecue cookoff they held in downtown Williamsburg took place in 2018 as part of the bicentennial celebrations for both Williamsburg and Whitley County.

Something else from that bicentennial celebration that I wish local leaders would replicate was the ice cream social that was held around the old courthouse in downtown Williamsburg. It was a joint effort between several local churches that also featured the Forcht Bank Ice Cream Machine giving away free ice cream to all in attendance.

I think there was something like a dozen churches taking part. In addition there were also several kids games and activities set up around the courthouse that day.

This was just a very fun event that everyone seemed to enjoy.

It would be a great thing for some organization, such as the South Union-Mt. Zion Baptist Association or the Williamsburg Main Street program, to organize as a back to school event in August. Just saying. (Hint! Hint!)