Luallen named Public Official of the Year
FRANKFORT — A national magazine that focuses on state and local government has named State Auditor Crit Luallen one of 2009′s Public Officials of the Year.
Auditor of Public Accounts Crit Luallen
A profile of Luallen appears in the November issue of Governing Magazine, a Washington D.C.-based magazine widely read by local and state leaders.
Luallen was one of eight state and local officials to receive the honor. Luallen, who has first elected auditor in 2003, was nominated by other public officials for her work as Kentucky’s top financial watch dog.
“Crit Luallen, Kentucky’s auditor of public accounts, has successfully fought corruption and fiscal mismanagement, the capstone of her 35-year career as a versatile problem-solver in state government,” the magazine wrote.
In addition to auditing county and state governments, Luallen’s office has found mismanagement and questionable spending in other areas of government, including the Blue Grass Airport Board and the Louisville Housing and Family Services Department.
Luallen began her career working in the mail room on the campaign of Gov. Wendell Ford in 1974. She has held several positions in state government in her 35-year career. Under Gov. Paul Patton, she served as Secretary of the Cabinet. She has also served as state budget director, Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet as well as several other key positions in state government.
“This is truly an honor and quite a pleasant surprise,” Luallen said in a written release. “I believe in the value of public service and I have worked to build a record of integrity and competence throughout my career. But I am also fortunate to have had some wonderful people around me who have contributed to any successes I have had.”
Luallen will receive her award at a dinner Nov. 19 in Washington D.C.
- Beth Musgrave
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John Williams | Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
You may not agree with her, which I don’t, but this is wonderful news that an elected official is attempting to make a positive difference and being honored at the national level.
She is more of a leader then a politician and the majority of what she does is for the betterment of Kentucky unlike the majority our our legislatures who are true politicians and not leaders.
You don’t like everything that leaders do but you have to appreciate their trying.
Our Senate and House officials seem to be more concerned about being a politician for ego reasons then making sound legislation.
Retired college guy | Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Amazing! Recognition of an elected official who actually has accomplished much for the common good in her career. A well deserved award.
BuleCat01 | Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
I agree with Retired college guy, Well Deserved. I am so happy we have someone who will take on any agency who is mishandling funds. I hope she continues to serve the Commonwealth right where she is. Great Job!
Joe | Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Well-deserved honor. Crit is an exceptional leader, and does a wonderful job for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Hopefully, one day we’ll see her elected Governor.
Buck Feshear | Oct 26, 2009 | Reply
Well-deserved my backside. Crit is as dirty and as slimy as they come in Frankfort. She hides it well but she’s a gutter politician. Ask around in Frankfort and out in the state, too, they’ll tell you the truth — but most likely off the record because not only is she dirty, she’s vengeful. I’ve never understood this infatuation with Crit. She has a lot of people snowed.
Xstateworker | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Crit is a smart person, but make no mistake. She is still a political person, who would cut your throat in a New York minute.
Xstateworker | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Case in point, there were allegation so wrongdoing with Stumbo’s AG Office. Never investigated, why, Stumbo was on the Crit’s side of the fence.
Xstateworker | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Forgive my grammatical errors
fancy farmer | Oct 27, 2009 | Reply
Crit’s List ring a bell? The woman’s a routine Frankfort hack. So’s her husband.
Cridhe Saorsa | Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
Luallen is definitely a long entrenched Frankfort political hack. Behind her plastic smile and no-information responses is the cunning mind of a political survivor. Sure she will put the bad boys from LEX on the block but don’t ever expect her to put her neck on the line turn over reports to put any other thieves in jail when they are politically connected. Can you say KACo?