Goodman takes on role paved by Allen

Ronnie Goodman watched the footsteps of Danny Allen closely while Allen served as the county’s road supervisor, and Goodman said he does not plan to wander from Allen’s template now that he has assumed leadership.
“It’s not broke, so why bother fixing anything?” he said.
Goodman was appointed to the role of Hardin County road supervisor this week by Hardin Fiscal Court and assumed the duties from Allen earlier this month. Allen won the bid for Hardin County jailer in the November general election, replacing the outgoing Louis Lawson. When he left, Allen had had served the road department for 23 years, 11 as supervisor.  
Allen on Wednesday said Goodman brought a wealth of experience in construction to the road department when he was hired 11 years ago. Goodman also moved up the ranks quickly and became a crew foreman, Allen added, polishing his leadership and managerial skills along the way.
“He not only had the ability to manage the people, but he had the ability to run the equipment,” Allen said.
Prior to his appointment as road supervisor, Goodman served as Allen’s assistant.
Allen said the department is in good hands with Goodman at the helm and sees few problems on the horizon, though Goodman may need aid wading through the dividing lines of county property and roadways because most of the information is not recorded anywhere.
Goodman, meanwhile, said he was attracted to the road department because he was tired of spending most of his nights away from home. Goodman’s background includes stints in coal mining, construction and environmental work, but his job was forcing him to spend his life on the road, frequenting motels so much he received care packages at Christmas from places he stayed.
“It was time to come home,” he said.
Goodman’s family grew up in the Eastview area and he attended West Hardin High School, so returning to work in Hardin County reconnected him to his roots. He moved from various crews, such as mowing, until he was promoted to the job of a construction foreman.
After the ice storm of 2009 pelted Hardin County, the opportunity to serve as Allen’s assistant was developed so Goodman decided to apply.
Allen said Goodman’s duties as an assistant closely mirrored his own. When Goodman made a recommendation about something, he added, Allen trusted his insight.
So far, Goodman said he has not been surprised by anything with the department operating the way it did when Allen was in charge.
“(It’s) big shoes to fill, but as long as I stay in that same track” things will work out, Goodman said.
As for challenges, Goodman said the same problems exist in other departments around the county. Money is tight, he said, and departments must be flexible to withstand the economic obstacles and continue to provide consistent service to residents.
“You’ve just got to adjust, see what needs to be done and work toward that goal,” Goodman said.
Allen said Goodman has the potential to improve his own work.
“New people bring new ideas,” he said.
Marty Finley can be reached at (270) 505-1762 or at.mfinley@thenewsenterprise.com

Ronnie Goodman

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