In Kentucky, Republicans Start "Jerry Jumbles" Campaign.

BUNTON THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF "JERRY JUMBLES"

Louisville – Kimberly Bunton, Mayor Abramson's handpicked Department of Housing and Family Services director, resigned when it was discovered that she stole over $2,000 in grant money for her mother from various funds including the Children Welfare Fund. She defended the action by claiming that her mother was qualified to receive this money.

"I don't know about Ms. Bunton's mother, but my mother's days of being eligible for a Children's Fund have long since gone," said JCRP Chairman Brad Cummings. "And even so, if she was truly qualified for the assistance, then why would Ms. Bunton repay the city? Something doesn't add up here."

Unfortunately, Ms. Bunton's resignation is only the latest in a series of "Jerry Jumbles". One has to look no further than Ms. Bunton's predecessor Melissa Barry, the Mayor's cousin by marriage. During her short tenure, millions of dollars in federal funds were lost, mismanaged or misspent. Mayor Abramson recently admitted when asked about federal grant money that "where we are having problems is in the past", referring to Ms. Barry's time in this position. Of course, she is now overseeing the new "Affordable Housing Trust", an organization that is still getting on its feet after more than a year.

"It seems the easiest way to earn a six figure paycheck in this city is to marry into the Mayor's family," said Cummings. "You certainly can't assume Ms. Barry was qualified for the job after looking at her performance. Even [Democratic Councilwoman] Tina Ward-Pugh said that 'for years there has been limited or no accountability' as recently as June 19th."

Last fall's election highlighted another "Jerry Jumble" as his library tax was resoundingly voted against by a margin of 2 to 1. Louisville Free Public Library Director Craig Buthod used government employees in an unsuccessful attempt to trick the citizens of Metro Louisville. When a bi-partisan effort to fully fund the $100 million in capital improvements was presented to Mr. Buthod, he and Mayor Abramson did nothing but stonewall the project.

"This is an example of Mayor Abramson pouting when he doesn't get his way on policy. It makes one wonder if he actually wanted a library expansion at all."

And former Animal Control Director Giles Miloche, another handpicked "Jerry Jumble", was found to not be an American citizen and therefore was ineligible to hold an office in Metro Government.

"At least we now know that Animal Control Director should be listed under the jobs Americans just won't do," said Cummings. “It is alarming at the rate which our ‘Mayor for Life’ makes mistakes. I’m pretty sure if I ran a company with that sort of failure rate, I would find myself without a job in short order. I pledge to the people of Metro Louisville that as long as I’m Chairman, the Jefferson County Republican Party will make sure to continue highlighting future ‘Jerry Jumbles’. Our citizens deserve to know what is really going on at City Hall.”

Update: State Auditor will audit the department mentioned in this piece.