Tuesday’s Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council meeting had a somber atmosphere. The Lexington governing body lost one of its own.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton opened the Tuesday work session by saying, quote, “we have a little bit of a different day today.”
“Our community has gotten some very tough news today,” announced Gorton.
Gorton said Third District Councilman Jake Gibbs died unexpectantly midday Tuesday. The 66 year old New York state native had served the downtown area on council since 2014. Calling him an avid walker and cyclist, Mayor Gorton said Gibbs staunchly defended the environment, encouraged the growth of the city’s urban forest and safe guarding Fayette County farmland. “As every council member here can attest Jake was a real warrior for his district. He called himself a city kid. And he enjoyed and fiercely protected our historic neighborhoods and downtown.”
Gibbs had retired after teaching at Blue Grass Community and Technical College in Lexington.
Before calling for all to stand for a moment of silence recognizing the death of Councilman Jake Gibbs, Gorton concluded by saying, again quoting, “we will miss his steady hand and unshakable community spirit.”
Here are Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton's remarks regarding Jake Gibbs passing in their entirety:
