RIP: Russ Maple

Former Commissioner Russ Maple died last night as a result of a car wreck on Zorn Avenue. He was 67 years old. he also served the country in either Korea or Vietnam.

I voted for him when he ran against Trey Grayson for Secretary of State in 2003.

Commissioner Maple will be missed.

Maple; his wife, Rebecca, who was a passenger in Maple’s vehicle; and the driver of the other vehicle; were taken to University Hospital, Mitchell said.

Maple died there at 9:12 p.m. of multiple blunt-force injuries, said Eddie Robinson, deputy Jefferson County coroner. He was conscious when he arrived at the hospital, Robinson said.

Rebecca Maple remains in critical condition. The driver of the other vehicle did not have life-threatening injuries, Mitchell said. He didn’t release the driver’s name.

Maple last held elected public office as the A District Jefferson County commissioner, a job that lost all of its power when Jefferson County and Louisville merged in 2003.

He ran unsuccessfully for Kentucky secretary of state in 2003, losing to Republican Trey Grayson.

Maple served on the Jefferson County Board of Education and ran as a Democrat for Jefferson County sheriff and 1st Ward alderman.

As a commissioner on Jefferson Fiscal Court for eight years, he was noted for his dedication to his eastern Jefferson County constituents, his pro-labor stance and his support for funding programs to help the needy.

I had the chance to correspond with him prior to and during his campaign in 2003.