County Judge Executive Craig Clymer told West Kentucky Star he informed Scott Darnell of the decision after he saw an email sent to city leaders urging them not to approve an extension for the rehabilitation of a home owned by Mayor Brandi Harless and her husband, Adam Moyers. The City Commission approved the extension by a 4-0 vote Tuesday night (Mayor Harliss abstained, see more on this at the link below).
The email, which was sent Tuesday morning to City Commissioners Richard Abraham, Gerald Watkins and Brenda McElroy, urged them to take back the property and sell it to someone else. It is the last home in the Lower Town Revitalization Project.
Clymer said Darnell's opinions in the email could create an awkward position for the county if they continue using him as an economic development consultant, since county and city governments have been collaborating on several projects that benefit them both.
"I like the young man, he's really smart, he provided us a really good service, gave us a lot of good information and we learned a lot from him, but we just can't tolerate putting a division between the county and the city, and I think that's what that was doing," Clymer said.
Clymer said he has spoken to County Commissioners and they share his opinion on the matter. Since there was no usage or payment requirement for Darnell, they simply won't call him again, but Clymer said they may have to take some kind of formal action at a Fiscal Court meeting.
Darnell is still the Executive Director of PACRO, with Clymer and County Commission Eddie Jones on the Executive Committee. Clymer said he doesn't believe this decision will affect their working relationship in PACRO.
Clymer said, "I told him, 'Don't take it personal, you made a mistake. We'll go on working together and put it behind us.' It's just the way things have got to be."
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