Martha Layne Collins draws large turnout at Democrat fund-raiser By Paul Gibson, Citizen Staff, The Bourbon County Citizen, August 11, 2006, Published by permission from The Bourbon County Citizen Martha Layne Collins, Governor of Kentucky from 1983-87, told a packed house on Monday night at the Country Club in Paris that "There is an opportunity for us and we need to have a voice in Kentucky to help the people of Kentucky." Governor Collins was the featured speaker at a fund-raiser held by the Bourbon County Democratic Party. The packed house was enthusiastic in their support of both the local and state democratic leaders who were on hand. Bourbon County Judge Executive Donnie Foley visits with former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins after she spoke for a Bourbon County Democratic Party fundraiser. Judge Foley welcomed the large crowd who came out for the event and said that it was the largest and most successful event held by the county's democrats. The dinner and meeting was held at the Stoner Creek Country Club Monday, July 24. (Photo by Paul Gibson | Citizen Staff) County Judge Executive, Donnie Foley, welcomed the crowd and said that it was the largest and most successful event held by the county's democrats. Before introducing state party chairman, Jerry Lundergan, Foley praised the local democrats and said, "We need to win back the state for the party." Jerry Lundergan told the crowd that the Democrats were poised to win back the state for the party. "We were in control for so long that we thought it would go on forever, but it didn't," he said pointing to the election of a Republican Governor and a long run of Democrats in the governor's office. "It was a wake up call and we heard it." Lundergan told the crowd that the Democratic Party was being rebuilt "from the bottom up" He said that every county would have local leadership installed at the precinct level across the state and that "We can win again." As Party Chairman, Lundergan said that despite stories to the contrary the Democrats have raised substantial money to aid democrats. "In the past 18 months we have raised 1.6 million dollars." Lundergan praised local leadership and singled out Donnie Foley for his leadership as county judge. He also presented the Golden Rooster award to Gayle Martin, "for his decades of service to the democratic party." The award is a long-standing tradition in the party and goes to democrats who have "made a difference" in helping get democrats elected in the state. County Magistrate Donnie McCarty and spouse, Pam with Jerry Lundergan, Democratic Party Chairman along with Dale Emmons." (Photo by Paul Gibson | Citizen Staff) Judge Foley introduced Martha Layne Collins as "the best governor this state has ever had," and listed her many accomplishments while in office. During Governor Collins term of office she was recognized nationally for her economic and educational reforms including a 300 million dollar education reform package. Collins was also recognized for her efforts in bringing Toyota and other manufacturing companies to the Commonwealth. Governor Collins told the audience that the world is getting smaller and we must learn how to do business on a world-wide scale. Collins, who is current the CEO of the Kentucky World Trade Center, said that on a recent trip to China she saw many opportunities for Kentucky companies. "There are already 200 Kentucky companies supplying products to China but there are many more opportunities there and in other countries." Governor Collins praised local democrats for their faithful support of party candidates. "The very first campaign contribution I received was right here in this room," she said. She called on Kentucky Democrats to provide the leadership in education, healthcare, jobs and helping people who need help in the state. "This is the time for leadership in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and Washington D.C." she said. "If we are going to be successful in the future we have to know what is going on around the world." At the conclusion of her speech Governor Collins received a standing ovation.