Stella for KY

Justice That Serves Victims is True Justice

Many of us are realizing something painful: our justice system often doesn’t work for victims.

It was built to protect those in power and keep the system unchanged. Too often, people who have been hurt are left alone. They don’t get support, healing, or the accountability they deserve.

There are resources that can help, and I’ve listed some at the end of this post.

Why This Matters

We grow up being told that justice is about fairness, righting wrongs, and balance. But when victims speak up, too often they face:

Silence
Disbelief
A system that values rules over people

If the system can’t protect victims, we must demand better. We must change the way justice works so it truly:

Protects victims
Supports healing
Holds those who cause harm accountable

Because justice that does not serve victims is not justice at all.

How You Can Help

Don’t stay silent. You can:

Share this conversation
Support organizations that stand with survivors
Call, write, or press your leaders to prioritize victims’ rights
Start conversations in your community about the changes needed

The system will only change if we refuse to accept a broken one.

Resources for Victims of Crime

Statewide Legal & Info

KY Attorney General – Victim Resources
Online toolkits, VINE, and compensation resources
Click here

Trauma-informed Advocacy

Office of Victims Advocacy (OVA)
Support, guidance, and referrals
Click here

Compensation Support

VOCA Victim Compensation and Assistance Programs
(502) 782-8255 / (502) 564-3251
Website

Federal Case Assistance

Western District of KY – Victim Witness Assistance
(502) 582-5911
Website

Sexual Assault Support

KASAP – 13 Regional Centers
1-800-656-HOPE
Website

Legal Support

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
(859) 431-8200
Website

Domestic Violence Support

Kenton County Women’s Crisis Center
Hotline: 859-491-3335 / 24-hour line: 800-928-3335
Website

Local Support

Carroll County Victim Assistance Program
Carroll Co. Legal Aid Services: (330)-627-5148
Website

Legal Aid & Domestic Violence

KY Legal Aid + Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

National Support

VictimConnect – National Center for Victims of Crime
Phone/text available, multi-language support

Vote Stella Pollard — Strong Leadership for Kentucky’s 20th Senate District

If you want a candidate who believes justice truly means justice for all—especially for victims—you should consider voting for Stella Pollard for Kentucky’s 20th Senate District. This district includes parts of Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, and Owen counties, as well as part of Kenton County.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/stella-pollard-1

Standing Up for Kentucky’s Roads and Rural Communities #Stella4KY

May be an image of road, grass, windmill, horizon and cloud

Hello, friends and neighbors,

I’m Stella Pollard, running to represent Kentucky’s 20th Senate District. I want to talk about something that hits home for so many of us- our roads and the infrastructure that connects our communities.

Kentucky’s rural areas are the backbone of this state. Our farms, small towns, and families are something to be proud of. But right now, those communities are being left behind. Our roads are deteriorating, bridges need repair, and local governments are stretched too thin to keep up.

May be an image of silo, windmill and grass

The truth is, Kentucky’s legislature has consistently underfunded rural infrastructure. In fiscal year 2024, cities and counties submitted over $75 million in requests for local road repairs, but the state only funded about $20 million, leaving more than $38 million in projects unmet. This funding gap hits rural areas especially hard, forcing local governments to delay vital repairs and leaving people to drive on unsafe roads (Kentucky Lantern, 2024).

On top of that, the cost to build and repair roads has nearly doubled over the past decade due to inflation in construction costs. Counties needed an estimated $139 million more in road aid in 2024 just to maintain the same infrastructure quality as in 2014, but funding hasn’t kept pace (Kentucky Association of Counties, 2024).

Municipalities themselves spent over $399 million on road and street maintenance in 2023, but state aid covered only about 14% of that total. This means local governments are left to shoulder the majority of the financial burden (Kentucky League of Cities, 2023).

On top of state-level issues, Kentucky has not received the level of support it deserves from the national government. Funding that should help rural roads and communities often falls short, leaving us to pick up the pieces ourselves.

This isn’t just about potholes and cracks. It’s about the health of our local economy. When roads fail, farmers struggle to get their products to market on time, small businesses lose customers, and emergency services face dangerous delays. Rural Kentucky deserves better.

I’m committed to fighting for increased investment in our roads and infrastructure. We need state leaders who will prioritize Kentucky’s rural communities, ensure fair funding, and stand up to Washington to bring more resources home.

Rural Kentucky is something to be proud of, and it’s time our roads and communities reflect that pride.

Thank you for standing with me. Together, we can build a safer, stronger Kentucky.

If you believe in building a stronger Kentucky for all of us, and have the means to do so, please consider making a small donation to support my campaign today: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/stella-pollard-1

Stella Pollard

References

Kentucky Association of Counties. (2024). County road funding struggles to keep pace with inflation. https://kaco.org/articles/county-road-funding-struggles-to-keep-pace-with-inflation/

Kentucky Lantern. (2024, January 29). Kentucky has tens of millions of dollars of backlogged requests to repair local roads. https://kentuckylantern.com/2024/01/29/kentucky-has-tens-of-millions-of-dollars-of-backlogged-requests-to-repair-local-roads/

Kentucky League of Cities. (2023). City transportation funding. https://klc.org/News/12920/city-transportation-funding

Cannabis, Compassion, and Community: A Faith-Based Look at Legalization in Kentucky

Kentucky is a place where faith runs deep and community matters. Many of us turn to the Lord for guidance in the challenges we face every day. As we consider the future of cannabis legalization in our state, it is important to balance our values with compassion and practical wisdom.

Stewardship and Opportunity

The Bible teaches us to be good stewards of the resources God has given us. Legalizing and regulating cannabis is an opportunity to responsibly manage a natural crop that can bring economic growth to our farms and communities. Just as tobacco once supported generations of Kentuckians, hemp and cannabis can help diversify and strengthen our agricultural heritage.

Tax revenues from a regulated market can support schools, healthcare, and infrastructure. Investments like these honor our duty to care for our neighbors and build stronger communities.

Healing and Compassion

Scripture calls us to care for the sick and the suffering. Medical cannabis offers hope and relief to those in pain, those struggling with chronic illness, and those for whom traditional treatments have failed. Allowing access to safe, regulated medicine aligns with our call to love and serve one another.

Justice and Mercy

The Lord teaches mercy and justice for all. The criminalization of cannabis has led to disproportionate harm in many communities, creating barriers for families and fueling cycles of incarceration that do not reflect God’s justice. Legalization can be a step toward healing those wounds, focusing law enforcement on true threats, and restoring fairness.

Wise Choices and Safeguards

We know the Bible urges wisdom in all things. That is why any legalization effort must include strong protections such as age limits, safety education, and regulations to prevent misuse. This approach respects our communities and safeguards our children.

Moving Forward in Faith and Common Sense

Kentucky can lead with faith, compassion, and good stewardship by embracing cannabis reform thoughtfully. We can support farmers, help the sick, and build healthier communities while honoring the values that define us.

Let us have the courage to make choices that serve the common good, reflect mercy, and promote justice for all Kentuckians. #stella4KY

Source: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/news/2025/pritzker-admin-announces-cannabis-sales-exceed-2bil-annually.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Would you like to donate to the #Stella4KY campaign? https://secure.actblue.com/donate/stella-pollard-1?fbclid=IwY2xjawMGFZpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtV9nHpIMxKj4vlPtTKZVxA7ZBoQW3N610nEm_wuXFCNpQ9zpaXQLN6MgTzB_aem_mW3dJ_rXhH42izUlBz6fsg

A Voice for Rural Kentucky: Why We Need Democrats Like Stella Pollard in the State Senate

For too long, rural Kentuckians like us have been overlooked and underserved by the folks in Frankfort. Over the past decade, the Kentucky GOP has held the reins of power, making decisions that do not always reflect the needs of our families, our farms, and our small towns. But things can change, and that change starts with electing representatives who truly understand and fight for us. That is why I am asking for your support to send me, Stella Pollard, to the State Senate.

The Reality for Rural Communities

We are proud of our Kentucky roots. We wo0rk hard whether it is in agriculture, small businesses, local schools, or healthcare. But over the years, we have seen schools close, healthcare options shrink, and opportunities dry up. The GOP’s focus on policies like cutting Medicaid and pushing school vouchers has made it harder for many families to get the services they depend on.

And let us be honest. Mega private schools are not going to open their doors in rural Kentucky to fix our education problems. What we need are strong public schools right here at home that serve our kids and our communities.

Rural hospitals struggle to stay open, and too many of our neighbors face the impossible choice of traveling hours just to see a doctor. Our kids deserve strong public schools, not programs that drain resources away from the classrooms that serve them.

Why Democrats Can Do Better for Us

Democrats have always stood for investing in people and communities. We believe in protecting and expanding healthcare access, fully funding public schools, and building local economies that work for working families, not just big corporations. We stand with the unions that represent the hardworking men and women who keep our communities running — from teachers to nurses to factory workers. Unlike the GOP, we do not see rural Kentuckians as an afterthought; we see you as the backbone of this state.

I am from here. I understand our struggles because I live them too. I am committed to making sure our voices are heard in Frankfort, pushing for policies that help keep our hospitals open, support our teachers and union workers, and bring good jobs to our counties.

Bringing Our Values to Frankfort

Some might say rural Kentucky is shifting Republican, but that is because we have been waiting too long for real representation. It is time to change that narrative. We deserve leaders who will fight for:

Affordable, accessible healthcare so no family has to choose between bills and medicine.
Strong public schools that prepare our children for the future right here at home.
Economic opportunities that keep our young people here and attract new businesses.
Respect for our communities, not just political games that ignore our day-to-day challenges.
Support for unions that protect workers’ rights and ensure fair wages and safe workplaces.

Donate today: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/stella-pollard-1

💡 From Power Lines to Broadband: A Legacy of Building Together

By Stella, Candidate for Kentucky Senate, District 20

Good morning, #D20.

Did you know that Owen Electric Cooperative was the very first electric co-op in rural Kentucky? It’s true. I discovered this fascinating history while reading Let There Be Light by David Dick (not sponsored: here’s the seller’s mission).

The rural electrification movement swept the nation between 1935 and 1937, and here in Kentucky, Owen County led the charge. On June 8, 1937, Owen Electric Cooperative, Inc. was officially formed with a bold vision: to bring electricity to the people, by the people.

Their first board of directors included:

J.H. Satterwhite
Lister Randell (President)
Ira Kemper (Secretary/Treasurer)
J.W. McElroy
J.L. Tackett

Just a month later, on July 10, 1937, the co-op hired its first superintendent, Chester Roland, at $125 per month, with a mileage reimbursement capped at $35. Practical, but determined.

Their first official meeting? June 17, 1937, with 52 neighbors in attendance. Over the next two days, they collected 124 membership applications, each one backed by a $5 investment. Real people. Real commitment.

The Rural Electrification Administration (now the Rural Utilities Service) soon loaned the co-op $130,000 to build 130 miles of electric line. And on January 29, 1938, the first homes in Owen County were officially energized.

But they didn’t stop there. In less than two years, they extended service to:

Grant & Gallatin Counties (Jan. 1939)
Pendleton County (June 27, 1938)
Scott and Campbell Counties (March 4, 1939)
Boone, Kenton, & Carroll Counties (Dec. 1939)

💙 By then, Owen County RECC had become the largest electric cooperative in the state of Kentucky. 💙

And just like that, a shared dream of dignity, connection, and opportunity became the foundation for what we now call Senate District 20.

A sign not wasted on me.

We deserve more. If no one else will build it for us, we’ll build it ourselves.

Why does this matter today, July 10, 2025?
This week marks 88 years since they hired Chester Roland, their first superintendent. Eighty-eight years since rural Kentuckians looked around, rolled up their sleeves, and said: “We deserve more. If no one else will build it for us, we’ll build it ourselves.” Today’s Rural Kentucky deserves leaders who will fight for our needs… just like our ancestors did in the 1930s.

                        Picture Source: Owen County History Society.

And friends, if they could form a cooperative to bring power to rural homes in 1937,
Why can’t we come together to deliver high-speed internet in 2025?

Why can’t we come together to deliver high-speed internet in 2025?

Rural Kentuckians deserve answers regarding the status of Kentucky Wired and its future plans.

Let me tell you something personal.

I lived on the Owen/Franklin County line for five years. In 2020, I had to sell my home, not because I didn’t love it, but because the internet was too slow and unreliable to work from home as an educator during the pandemic. I couldn’t raise my daughter and keep my job without connectivity.

That was five years ago. Unfortunately, after speaking with my neighbors from Cedar Road, not much has changed.

We deserve better.
We deserve leadership like Owen County had in the 1930s:
Visionary. People-centered. Bold. It will not be easy, but my commitment runs deep, and I will do everything I can to advocate for our needs.

We need advocacy. We need transparency from our 20th district leaders. We need real infrastructure, real cooperation, and real solutions.

That’s why I’m running for Kentucky’s 20th Senate District.
If you want a senator who knows what it’s like to live in rural Kentucky, who’s had to choose between their home and their job, and who believes in local leadership, family-first policy, and cooperative action, I’m your candidate.

Let’s bring that same community spirit to today’s challenges, like broadband, childcare, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

Let’s build something that lasts for our kids, our neighbors, and our future.

I’m ready to lead.
Will you stand with me? 💙

Stella
Candidate for KY Senate, District 20

Source: David B. Dick, Let There Be Light: The Story of Rural Electrification in Kentucky (Plum Lick Publishing, 2008), ISBN 978-0975503737.

My “Why”

My name is Stella Ruth Neace-Pollard, and I’m running to represent the people of Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Kenton, and Owen Counties in the Kentucky State Senate.

If we haven’t met yet, allow me to introduce myself—not just with my resume, but with my why.

I’m an educator, a mother, a first-generation college graduate, and a proud Kentuckian raised in the hollers of Perry County. The daughter of a disabled coal miner and a mother who worked over 40 years at Hazard ARH, I was taught early the value of hard work, sacrifice, and standing up for what’s right. Though we didn’t have much, I never felt poor. My parents made sure I had every opportunity they could give, and their resilience shaped the woman I am today.

I became the first woman on my mother’s side to graduate high school through the traditional path, and the first in my family to graduate from college. Education changed my life. That’s why I’ve spent my career working to give others the same chance, starting as a substitute teacher and instructional aide, then teaching middle school math and science, becoming a Digital Learning Coach, and now serving as Director of Technology for Franklin County Schools. I also hold a degree in educational leadership.

My husband and I moved to Franklin County in 2014, just before the birth of our daughter. He was a coal miner—like my father—and when we lost my dad to black lung and lung cancer in 2011, we made a choice to seek a more stable future for our growing family. He found work at Toyota in Georgetown, and I began building my path in public education. Franklin County has been our home for over 11 years, and I love this district—its people, its potential, and its future.

In 2022, I survived a sexual assault by a distant family member. I pressed charges—and I won. But the system made the process long and painful. Survivors of sexual violence deserve better: a justice system that supports them, not one that re-traumatizes them. I’m running to be a voice for those who are often silenced.

I’m also running because I’ve seen firsthand how rural families are overlooked by politicians who say the right things but serve special interests. Too often, politicians claim to stand with working people, but their actions show loyalty to special interests, not the families in Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Kenton, and Owen Counties who deserve real investment and opportunity. We need real economic development across District 20—especially in areas like Gallatin County, where the closure of the Kentucky Speedway has hit hard. Families are still waiting for good jobs, infrastructure, and access to reliable internet, education, and healthcare.

Meanwhile, my Republican opponent has wasted time and taxpayer money going after the Frankfort Plant Board with little to show for it. That’s not leadership—it’s distraction.

Kentucky needs leaders who serve people, not political agendas. My whole life has been about service—to my students, my community, and my family. I’ve served on Democratic Executive Committees in both Perry and Franklin Counties, and I’ve volunteered with programs supporting kids in poverty, mental health awareness, and working families.

And now, I’m ready to serve you.

We deserve leadership that listens, leadership that acts, and leadership that cares. I’m here—and I’m ready to get to work.

Let’s build a better future together.

#Stella4KY
#StellarLeadership
#ProgressWithPollard