Legislative battles hold little interest for the public. Squabbles between lawmakers — be they local, state or national — are often seen as little more than petty bickering. And often, that's exactly what they are.

        But last week, when Gov. Paul Patton and local leaders gathered to revel in the news that Northern Kentucky is getting a $10 million community college, there was much talk of the epic legislative battle that made creation of the two-year college possible.

        House Bill 1 was passed by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1997. The bill was controversial, mainly because it stripped control of the 13 two-year community colleges from the University of Kentucky.

        Understand the context here. Taking on UK in Kentucky is like snickering at the pope's hat in Vatican City. Do so and and you're just looking for a fight.

        And what a fight it was. UK pulled out all stops to prevent Mr. Patton from getting his bill through a very divided legislature.

        “When this thing started it wasn't a slam dunk,” Mr. Patton reminded people during his visit last week to Northern Kentucky.

        He recognized two people for having “the courage” to back the bill.

        First was House Majority Caucus Chairman Jim Callahan, a Wilder Democrat, who, according to Mr. Patton “put his career on the line” by becoming primary sponsor of the bill.

        The other was former state legislator and current Kenton County Judge-executive Dick Murgatroyd, a Villa Hills Republican and one of the first GOP House members to back the bill.

        “They were willing to stand up when others wouldn't,” Mr. Patton said.

        What was curious to many in the crowd was the inclusion of state Sen. Jack Westwood on the speaker's podium. He voted against House Bill 1, which is enabling Northern Kentucky to get its own community college.

        And then last year, he voted against a $178 million telecommunications tax increase that earmarked the $10 million for the community college, though he did eventually vote for the final version of the state budget.

        Given Mr. Westwood's lackluster support of the community college issues, Mr. Patton was said to be none too thrilled to have him on the podium.

        “The only reason Westwood is even up there,” grumbled a Kenton County Democrat, “is because he is the current chairman of the (Northern Kentucky Legislative) Caucus.

        “But he sure doesn't deserve to be up there because he hasn't done squat to help bring a community college to Northern Kentucky,” the Democrat huffed.

        Sounds like fightin' words to me.

        Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics. He can be reached at (859) 578-5581, or by e-mail at pcrowley@Enquirer.com.

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