Noting the state "has invested a lot in Clark County," Fletcher specifically mentioned the state-funded construction project to build a new bridge linking Van Meter Road to the west end of the Winchester-Clark County Industrial Park, where the local campus of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College is under construction.
He also highlighted the state's commitment to build a new interchange on the Mountain Parkway at Kiddville Road in the southeastern part of the county.
"We want to spend more in your communities than in Frankfort," Fletcher said, "which is why we have downsized state government."
In the remainder of his speech, he touched on the major themes of his campaign, including efficiency in state government, emphasis on education and health care, and the importance of economic development.
Early in his term, he said, he was able to consolidate 14 state cabinets into nine, and turned a rainy day fund, "which was depleted when I took office," into a surplus. He added 2007 will mark the fourth consecutive year the commonwealth will operate in the black.
Strengthening Kentucky's education system has been another priority, and Fletcher said Kentucky needs to stress the teaching of math and science, increase spending on secondary school technology and emphasize early childhood development.
"Under the Kentucky Covenant, we want to tell every eighth grader that, if you work hard and get the grades, we'll make sure you can afford higher education," Fletcher said, to applause from his audience.
Calling health care "a major, major issue," he said under his leadership Kentucky has led the nation in Medicaid reform and is expected to save $1 billion over the next seven years without sacrificing programs or cutting off health care services. As health care costs continue to rise, Fletcher said the state must do all it can "to make health care affordable for every Kentuckian."
Noting that gasoline has passed $3 per gallon in most areas, Fletcher said the price of gas is becoming a campaign issue in the governor's race.
"We must reduce our dependence on oil from the Middle East," he said, "and Kentucky can lead the way" by developing coal gasification projects and biofuels based on agriculture products raised in Kentucky.
In additional impromptu remarks outside the restaurant on the way back to the bus, Fletcher called on Northup to release her tax records for public scrutiny, as Fletcher says he has already done.
To the supportive crowd that turned out to meet him, Fletcher praised the team he has put in place and said he was proud to campaign on his record.
"We have a good record to stand on, and we will move Kentucky forward," he said, closing with the campaign motto, "if the Fletcher-Rudolph team wins, Kentucky wins."
