The Powell County Democratic Party would like to welcome Dwain Anderson, Vinson Crowe, George Elkins, Faye King, and Goat Rice to our Bert T. Combs Powell County Democratic Party Hall of Fame class of 2019!
Dwain Anderson
We now want to honor our current Vice-Chairman and fixture of the Powell County Democratic Executive Board, Mr. Dwain Anderson.
Dwain Anderson is a lifelong Democrat and has served honorably for many years on the Powell County Democratic Executive Board. Dwain and his late brother, Floyd Clay Anderson, no doubt helped to make the Powell County Democratic Party stronger and better because of their hard work and dedication.
Dwain has been a crucial member of the Powell County Election Board for many years now, and his knowledge of both the law and procedure has helped Powell County’s election process run smoothly for many years.
Dwain Anderson has always embodied the ideas and philosophy of the Democratic Party because he’s always cared about the “little man.” Dwain is both a Kentucky farmer, former Union Leader, and family patriarch of a proud Democratic family that believes in hard work and serving others.
It is with great pleasure that we induct James Dwain Anderson, Sr. into the Powell County Democrats Hall of Fame.
Vinson Crowe
Vinson Conrad Crowe was born in Bowen, KY September 26, 1922. He lived a quiet life working the family farm. That quiet life ended when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Vinson found himself drafted to the US Army on December 9, 1942. This was the largest draft in Powell County history. He fought in the European Theatre as a surgical technician on the front lines. At one point in his active military time, a general said, “Crowe you could get ahead in this army.” To which, Vinson replied, “Sir, I’m not interested in getting ahead, I’m interested in getting home.” He was awarded the Bronze Star twice for bravery under fire.
Vinson’s first brush with politics was when President Roosevelt enacted the GI Bill over opposition from Republicans. He took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the University of Kentucky and obtained a business degree. He married Reva Bellamy and they had 5 children. He held several different elected positions in Powell County including: County Clerk, Tax Commissioner, and Magistrate. He understood that Democrats cared about the working class and remained active in local politics until his death in 2006.
George Elkins
George Dewey Elkins was a life long Democrat and he wore many other hats as well. He was a community leader, businessman, builder, union president and a pillar of our community. He dedicated his time, energy and resources in equal measure to those passions. He helped organize and was elected as the first president of Dayton Rubber & Tire where he got his first taste of politics. In 1961 he moved his family back to his beloved roots in eastern Ky., settling in Stanton where he worked for the US Forest Service and was a member of the Volunteer Fire Dept. He also farmed but after seeing how unpredictable farming in the Red River valley is, and losing his house in a fire, he began his life as a business owner. Along with his wife Ruby, he purchased Southern Treat Restaurant and she managed it. They later owned the Clay City Times and he started Elkins Bldg. & Contracting. During this time he constructed numerous homes and businesses in Powell Co. including the Elkins Bldg. and the old Dime Store on Main St. Today this building is home to Elkins Insurance which he also founded 50 years ago. As if he needed to fill up his spare time, he started Elkins Real Estate and later became an agent and builder for Jim Barna Log Homes. He sold and built numerous log homes in the area including Fern Hill, the beloved home of Gov. Bert Combs. George was known as much for his quick wit as he was for jiggling his pocket change. Once a potential customer told him that another company had a lower price on their log cabin kit. George replied, “Well if my cabin was lower quality I wouldn’t charge as much for it either.” He then sold that customer a log cabin. His dedication to community service and the Democrat party contributed to his selection as Democrat Chairman of Powell Co. He also served his party for several years as an election officer. His commitment and contributions to Powell Co. are too numerous to list completely but he will be appreciated and remembered for generations to come.
Faye King
Today we induct a woman who has done so much, not only for the Democratic Party, but for the children of Powell County.
Juanita Faye Graham King, a native of Wolfe County, Kentucky was quickly adopted in the fold to become not only one of Powell County’s own, but one of Powell County’s finest. Faye first taught 7th grade in 1969 but quickly moved her way up to become one of the first female principals of the consolidated school system in 1970. She served as principal of Stanton Elementary School from 1970 to 1998, when she retired.
Faye has had the honor of being chosen as a National Distinguished principal in 1994, was named National Education of the year by the Milken Family Foundation as well as Kentucky Elementary School Principal of the year, both in 1997.
Faye has been a lifelong Democrat and has spearheaded involvement by women and youth in the Democratic Party. Faye has always worked alongside the Democrats in ensuring that Kentucky’s children always had an equal opportunity and received the best public education that was possible. She worked diligently as president of the Principal’s Association and made hundreds of speeches to schools and institutions around the country promoting public education.
It is my honor and privilege, on behalf of the Powell County Democratic Executive Board, to induct Faye King into the Powell County Democrats Hall of Fame.
Kenneth “Goat” Rice
If you have lived in Powell for any amount of time and you hear someone referred to as Goat, you more than likely know who belongs to that nickname. That name is so attached to him, that many in the community and even family ask, “What is Goat Rice’s real first name”? And if you see him out and about and call him Kenneth, don’t be shocked if you receive a delayed response.
Kenneth “Goat” Rice has been active and interested in politics since the 1950’s, when his father, Robert Pruitt Rice was Magistrate representing District One. His early activism saw him hauling voters to voting houses for Powell County political figures like Bass Patrick on election days.
Goat began his elected political life as a member of the Clay City council in the early seventies, which saw the Clay City sewer system and plant come into existence. After retiring from Gates Bluegrass Inc. in 2001, he began to take a more active role in county politics. Goat served two terms as Magistrate for District Two from 2003 – 2006 and again from 2015 – 2018.
He will still dole out political advice to anyone within earshot and at the age of 77 is still an active contributor to his community by serving as Clay City’s seasonal worker for nearly a decade. He still finds the work rewarding. Some of his responsibilities include keeping the parks in order, mowing, remodeling offices, putting up decorations, and anything else he sees that needs to be done. Even if that means doing it on the weekends and off the clock.
Powell County Democratic Party 