Former Sturgis mayor appointed to Union County Planning Commission

STURGIS, Ky. (WEHT)– Tension continues in Sturgis, as residents raise concerns about the new appointment of former mayor, Kent Sayles. The city council voted to appoint Sayles as Sturgis’s Representative to the Union County Planning Commission during a special meeting on Monday night.

“At our darkest hour, Kent Sayles resigned and walked away from Sturgis. And now you people are going to approve him for a position in the county?” a concerned resident asked the council.

The decision sparked controversy following over a year of financial issues for the city.

“Kent was someone who bailed on us… what makes him qualified to be on the planning commission?” another concerned resident asked the city council.

Sturgis mayor, Billy Adams says the community does not know the whole story and defends the appointment. He says Sayles resigned due to mayoral responsibilities overlapping with his other job.

“He was having vendors calling him at work,” Mayor Adams says.

Mayor Adams says Sayles is more than qualified for the role, which used to be his seat on the Union County Planning Commission.

“Kent is a good man and will make wise decisions. He will do the best he can for Sturgis,” Mayor Adams says.

As city officials continue to overcome financial struggles, the council is looking at ways to help speed up the process. One idea is for the Union County Sheriff to collect city taxes. Another is to give ABC funds, which is tax money collected from places selling alcohol within city limits, to the Union County Sheriff’s Office for body cameras. The city of Sturgis was left without a police department in September when its only remaining officer became a sheriff’s deputy.

“We want to be a part of Union County and say thank you. They are covering us and we want to do our part,” Mayor Adams says.

“We picked up where they left off. They had 3 officers at the time and we are covering every call in the city, so we are staying busy,” says Union County Sheriff Jason Thomas.

Both of these discussions were tabled and will continue at the next city council meeting.

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