From Foresight, Vol. 4, No. 4
published 1997
The Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center took its 1997 conference out into the state for a timely exploration of the topics of citizen engagement and benchmarking for progress. An estimated 275 people were on hand for the one-day conference on citizen participation, which was held at the new state-of-the-art Center for Rural Development in Somerset on November 20, 1997.
“Research continues to show clear links between broad citizen engagement and a number of positive outcomes, including good government, prosperous economies, and quality schools,” said Michael Childress, Executive Director of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center. “With this conference, we hoped to raise awareness of this link and provide communities with some of the tools, including ways of measuring progress, they will need to build citizen involvement at every level. Citizen participation may be the single most important factor in our efforts to improve quality of life throughout the Commonwealth.”
The conference featured a series of panel discussions that included some of the state’s leading proponents and practitioners of broad citizen engagement, as well as members of the news media. Topics included:
How true community visions of progress can be shaped and advanced
How successful state, county, municipal and citizen-based visioning efforts were designed and launched
How and to what extent the media should become involved in community development initiatives
Why measuring progress is key and how to choose indicators
How much citizen participation is enough and how it can be effectively marshaled
How to invest community initiatives with staying power
Keynote speakers at the conference were Gov. Paul E. Patton and Dr. Carolyn Lukensmeyer, the founder and director of America Speaks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to participatory governance. Dr. Lukensmeyer is a former White House advisor and a Project Director for Vice President Al Gore’s National Performance Review, which has sought to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service at the federal level.
Dr. Lukensmeyer told those on hand for a large assembly at lunch that they were evidence of remarkable efforts to engage citizens in the public process in Kentucky. She commended them and urged them to continue their efforts to involve citizens and improve their communities.
The all-day conference began with welcoming remarks from Gov. Patton, who presented the first annual Vic Hellard, Jr., Award, honoring the memory of the former director of the Legislative Research Commission who died in 1996. Hellard, who served on the Center’s Board of Directors at the time of his death, is credited with advancing the concept of this futures-oriented research center. Over his long and distinguished career, Hellard championed the cause of legislative independence and played an instrumental role in the modernization of the legislative process in Kentucky.
The annual award recognizes an individual for his or her work in the interest of the future of the Commonwealth. Criteria for the award in Hellard's memory include the demonstration of long-term vision and innovation, championship of the equality and dignity of every person, efforts to enhance the processes of a democratic society, and an approach to work distinguished by commitment, caring, generosity, and humor. Hellard was beloved for his playful wit, often complete with theatrical flourishes. He frequently acted in community theatre.
The 1997 recipient of the Hellard Award is Judge Anthony M. Wilhoit, who recently retired from the post of Chief Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals and who now serves as Executive Director of the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. Judge Wilhoit was selected by the Center’s board from among nominations submitted by the public.
Judge Wilhoit served for 21 years on the Court of Appeals of Kentucky, the state’s second highest court, and, beginning in 1996, as its Chief Judge. Court of Appeals opinions often exert profound influence on interpretation of the law. Judge Wilhoit, 62, is the last of the original 14 judges appointed to the Appeals Court in 1976 after Kentucky voters approved a judicial article that restructured the state’s court system. All 14 of the original appointees were required to run for eight-year terms in the same year of their appointment. Judge Wilhoit was elected to his judicial post for three consecutive terms.
Judge Wilhoit began his career as a police judge and as city attorney for Versailles. In 1967, he became County Attorney for Woodford County and served until 1972 when he became a state public defender. He also served on the Kentucky Crime Commission and as Deputy Secretary of the Kentucky Department of Justice. He holds an A.B. from Thomas More College, a graduate degree and a law degree from the University of Kentucky, and a degree in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia Law School.
This year’s conference marked the continuation of efforts by the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center to engage citizens at the local level in thinking long term about the state’s future. In addition to its publications, which are free to the public, the Center has held public meetings around the state to gather citizen input and frequently makes presentations about future trends to local groups. Further, the Center plans to hold future conferences outside of the state’s urban triangle in alternating years in an effort to involve citizens from throughout the state.
Those on hand for this year’s conference were given an opportunity to complete a statewide survey on the progress Kentucky is making toward realization of 26 key long-term goals. The goals and a vision for the state’s future emerged from a series of 1994 public meetings around the state. The survey is being mailed to more than 6,000 randomly selected Kentucky households and another 4,000 individuals who routinely receive Center publications. The survey not only seeks to gauge public opinion about progress toward these goals, but to weigh their relative importance as well. All interested citizens are urged to express their opinions by completing this survey. In early 1998, the Center will release its first biennial benchmarking report. It will include survey results.