http://mycn2.com/politics/abramson-says-fancy-farm-is-outdated-announces-education-project-during-rotary-speech

Publication Date: August 09, 2012

Author: Nick Storm

Abramson says Fancy Farm is outdated; Announces education project during Rotary speech

08/09/2012 06:16 PM

Many big name Kentucky Democrats skipped this year’s Fancy Farm Picnic, and the excuses varied: Gov. Steve Beshear was in Europe, there were no statewide races this year, and some Democrats did not want to weigh in on Obama.

Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson declined to attend because he and his wife were celebrating their anniversary. But he told the Louisville Rotary Club Thursday that he didn’t miss being at the annual political speaking event at the Fancy Farm picnic.

“I think the days of yelling and screaming at folks who are up on the stage — just to yell and scream and make fun of them are days of the past,” Abramson said of the event. “Where was I? It was my anniversary.”

Abramson also told more than 200 Rotarians attending the lunch at the Louisville’s Galt House that he’s focusing on education this fall. He announced plans to introduce a pilot program in three counties aimed at encouraging more students to go to college.

The pilot program is modeled after the 55,000 degrees initiative in Louisville where the city hopes to add 40,000 bachelor’s degrees and 15,000 associate degrees by 2020.

Abramson will launch the pilot program in Lawrence and Campbell counties and Bullitt Central High School.

Abramson also said many employers in Kentucky can’t find employees with the skills to match the jobs they have available.

“There are jobs galore in terms of advance manufacturing in Northern Kentucky and they are not putting out enough graduates out of the Gateway Community College,” Abramson said.

He announced a plan to start academies next summer that would bring in prospective community college students and their families to explain the certificates offered and careers that wait for those kids in Kentucky.

About Nick Storm

Nick Storm joined cn|2 in December 2011 as a reporter for Pure Politics. Throughout his career, Nick has covered several big political stories up close, including interviewing President Barack Obama on the campaign trail back in 2008. Nick says he loves being at the forefront of Kentucky politics and working with the brightest journalists in the commonwealth. Follow Nick on Twitter @Nick_Storm. Nick can be reached at 502-792-1107 or nicholas.storm@twcable.com.

Comments

  • Tammy wrote on August 10, 2012 09:56 AM :

    I have never been to Fancy Farm but I do feel strongly about it. I think it is a cope out myself, go and share your future dreams for Kentucky. If others do not agree then they do not. It is the one time you can go and really express yourself. To be honest I feel the real reasons are funding. They are more worried about how they will get their funding above what the constituents want. Yes I know the funding is important to any campaign but many have lost sight of the real reason they should be campaigning for an office. It is not for the pay check! It is to campaign for their personal believes. This may be a thing of the past but it is also what wrecking this country. There are no personal beliefs. There are republican and democratic beliefs and a few mixes of the tea party beliefs but no one really has a personal belief any longer. I am a true independent voter and there is not much room for us any longer. I forfeit my right to vote in the primaries because I refuse to take a stand for any republican or democrat but vote based on my beliefs. This country is in a sad state and as much as I would like to blame our representatives we are responsible. We the people do not take the time to hold them reconcilable and insure they stand for what we believe. Moral values have been dismissed and the green back has replaced it. In this day and age can we not rely on good old fashioned common sense and right and wrong? Maybe simplicity is asking too much?

  • Cat Balz wrote on August 10, 2012 10:57 AM :

    Bar-B-Que and no beer. Even worse, political hot air and Bar-B-Que with no beer in frying pan heat. Fancy Farm should be banned.

  • MikeTirp wrote on August 10, 2012 09:45 PM :

    Of course Mr. Abramson does not support Fancy Farm. The purpose is to raise money for a Catholic Church. In case you haven’t notice Mr. Abramson is not Catholic. He is not even a Christian.

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