News from June 15, 2006 issue


THREE CRITTENDEN NATIVES IN STATE & NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Loyd buried at Arlington
On June 6, Col. Charles Franklin Loyd, a retired Air Force pilot and commander, became one of the very few Crittenden Countians to be buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Loyd, 78, was inurned at Arlington after a grand memorial ceremony at the Old Post Chapel in Fort Myer, Virginia. He died April 8 in Naples, Fla., and was cremated.
A graduate of Marion High School, Loyd was a standout athlete while in school here and went on to become a fighter ace for the United States Air Force during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He also served the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon.

Loyd, who went by the name of Chuck, joined the U.S. Air Force Aviation Cadet program in 1949 and deployed to Korea in November 1950 with the 4th Fighter Group.
He flew 100 combat missions in the F-86, destroyed one Russian-made Mig-15 and damaged another. He also served and flew combat missions during the war in Vietnam.

Arflack named Justice Secretary
Gov. Ernie Fletcher has appointed Crittenden County native Brigadier Gen. Norman Arflack to replace Steve Pence as Kentucky Justice Secretary, a key position in his cabinet.

Arflack was born in Crittenden County in 1952 and stayed here until he was in the fifth grade. Arflack has on occasion, returned to Marion to visit with family and friends.

"He was always a good boy, orderly and well mannered. He never got into any trouble," said his uncle Will Ed Arflack, who lives in Marion.

According to his cousin Donnie Arflack, the adjutant general was a state trooper and current member of a the Kentucky National Guard.

In 1970, Arflack received a bachelor's degree in law enforcement from Western Kentucky University, according the governor's office.

In 1999, Arflack earned a master's degree in public administration from Shippensburg University. He is also a graduate of the Army War College and the Southern Police Institute at the University of Louisville.

He has served in several leadership positions within the military. According to a recent press release, in October 2001, Arflack was sent to "organize, train, and command National Guard personnel performing security duty in Kentucky."
During his military career, he was awarded numerous medals and honors for excellent service.

According to Gov. Fletcher, Arflack is a man of integrity and values as well as a dedicated public servant.

"His qualification and extensive state police and military leadership experiences will be a tremendous asset to our Justice Cabinet. I sincerely appreciate his willingness to take on this new role and his continued dedication to helping this administration move Kentucky forward," said Fletcher.

Arflack's appointment was effective last Wednesday.

"I am honored to be selected for this key role in Gov. Fletcher's administration," he said.

Arflack will continue to manage the already successful programs created by his predecessor, he said. He wants to continue to work hard in the war on drugs and crimes against children.

"I will continue to provide quality law enforcement," said Arflack.

The appointment comes on the heals of Lt. Gov. Pence's announcement that he would not join Fletcher as a running mate in the 2007 election.

Pence, however, was positive about the appointment of Arflack, calling him "an excellent choice to fill the position."

"I wish Gen. Arflack the best of luck as he begins this new endeavor," said Pence.

Westberry enters gov's plea
A Crittenden County native was at the center of attention Friday in Frankfort when he entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Misdemeanor criminal charges allege that the governor allowed inappropriate hiring practice to dictate who got state jobs.

Marion native R. Kent Westberry, Fletcher's personal attorney, appeared in Franklin County District Court to answer the charges last week. Fletcher was not required to appear and was vacationing in Florida.

Westberry didn't make any other comment in regard to the case.

Fletcher was indicted in May on three charges related to a merit hiring controversy.
Following a 30-minute meeting with prosecutors and defense attorneys, Special Judge David Melcher of Cynthiana set a trial date for Nov. 8.

Melcher will hear motions on July 7, including a motion by the defense to have Attorney General Greg Stumbo removed from the case.

Although he didn't issue a gag order, Melcher urged both sides to limit their comments to the media.

Scott Crawford-Sutherland, who has been leading the prosecution for the Attorney General's Office, said both sides will strive for a fair hearing and will limit their comments outside of court.

Westberry, a Louisville attorney, is also representing the Crittenden County School System in regard to a concrete defect at Rocket Arena. Westberry's father, the late Bill Westberry, was an attorney in Marion for several years during the 1960s, 70s, and early 80s.