Oral History Interview with Harold McKinney

Partial Transcript: Tell us a little bit about your time serving as the County/Judge Executive of Boyle County?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear. He was then elected as the County judge executive and has served two full terms.

Keywords: Beshear, Steven Lynn

Partial Transcript: Could you tell us a little bit about your experience serving as County Judge/Executive?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney discusses how drastically things have changed since he first started in his position until the present day. He comments that Boyle County jail is now a hospital due to the major problem that is the opioid epedemic in his county. McKinney goes on to discuss how the counties in Kentucky are struggling to deal with taxes, income cuts, and prices of infrastructure.

Partial Transcript: How did you get to this position? Where did you grow up, what is your educational background, what was your career path?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney states that he was born in Adair County, Kentucky. He is the youngest of seven children. He went to Centre College, and loved Boyle County and decided to stay. After graduating from Centre, McKinney went to work at a state mental health care facility. He ran a health department for 12 years. He quit working in Public Health mid-career, and attended the University of Kentucky's law school, and worked as a prosecutor.

Keywords: Adair County (Ky.); Centre College; University of Kentucky, College of Law

Subjects: Public Health

Partial Transcript: Do you want to talk a little bit about your successes as Judge/Executive of Boyle County?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney discusses the internet connection towers that he helped place in an area of Boyle County.



Constitution Square in Danville, Kentucky, was originally owned by the state, which wanted to close the park due to lack of funding. The Boyle County government decided to take over the park, and revitalized the site and added an economic development campus in Constitution Square.



McKinney also discusses the financial well being of Boyle County.



McKinney talks about the Public Health status of Boyle County and the health incentive project he is a part of.



McKinney states that he is proud of the continued preservation of the Historic Court House.



McKinney discusses the harshness of an ice storm that hit the community of Boyle County. He talks about the success of the community when they came together to clear roads, provide shelter, and administer aid.

Keywords: Constitution Square State Historic Site

Partial Transcript: How did you get involved with the Kentucky 225 Commission?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney discusses how he got involved with the Kentucky 225 Commission and the kickoff event that celebrated Kentucky's birthday.

Partial Transcript: Were you involved any further on the Kentucky 225 Commission other than the event in Danville, Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney states that he was not involved in the state-wide Commission any further than the event that occurred on Constitution Square.



He discusses how his relationship with Kristen Branscum developed during the planning period for this event, and how he believes this relationship between Branscum and the community of Danville will continue into future endeavors.

Partial Transcript: McKinney discusses the Governor's Circle in Constitution Square.

Segment Synopsis: McKinney describes the Governor's Circle in Constitution Square. He states that each Governor of Kentucky has their own brass plaque, and it is located in a raised garden bed. He discusses how the community was able to welcome Governor Steve Beshear to Danville to celebrate his plaque installation in the Governor's Circle.

Keywords: Beshear, Steven Lynn; Constitution Square Historic Site

Partial Transcript: What are some things that make Kentucky, Kentucky that we can be proud of as a state and as a people?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney believes that Kentucky fails to "trumpet" what it does best. He speaks briefly about the natural landscape of the region. He states that Kentucky is very independent and that can be both a blessing and a curse. He discusses Kentucky's horse racing industry, bourbon industry, and the Corvette industry. McKinney states that Kentuckians understand excellence, and wants the Commonwealth to extend that excellence into education and healthcare. McKinney also discusses some of the challenges Kentuckians face. He states that individuals in Kentucky simply need to be given an opportunity to excel and often times the state fails to do that.

Keywords: Chevrolet Corvette

Partial Transcript: Where do you want to see Kentucky in the next 15-20 years? How do we get to this excellence-driven Kentucky that you envision?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney believes the key to advancement on Kentucky's challenges is education. He states Kentuckians need to realize that there is a big world outside of Kentucky. He believes critical thinking is the key to progress.

Partial Transcript: Do you want to add anything?

Segment Synopsis: McKinney states that Kentucky is a fabulous state and that Kentuckians do not do a good job of promoting what they are good at.