Lexington Mayor Jim Gray’s entrance into Central Kentucky’s congressional race immediately generated interest in the city’s top government job.
Now, a crowded, seven candidate field, is vying to make the cut to battle in the fall.
Wednesday we heard from Linda Gorton, Ronnie Bastin, Teresa Issac, and Kevin Stinnett. Three others are on the primary ballot, Ike Lawrence, William Weyman and Skip Horine.
For years, city officials have wrestled with the question of what’s the best way to steer teenagers toward becoming productive and enjoy safe futures, away from violent crime. And candidates often have ideas on how to make that happen.
Lexington real estate broker Ike Lawrence proposes boarded up houses be converted into classrooms. “Get them with their mentors and fathers and stepfathers and learn a trade if they are not in school. They need to be in school and out of trouble and if they’re not willing to, they need to be helping being in a classroom. And the best and cheapest classroom are these boarded up homes, to learn a trade,” said Lawrence.
Candidate William Weyman says his Christian faith is a defining characteristic of his campaign. Weyman, who is deaf, speaks using sign language through an interpreter. Weyman says helping teens means finding productive alternatives to the street. “Well I think they need more opportunities to get more advice and learn more from their elders, because there’s lots of opportunities out there, if they just knew where to look,” noted Weyman.
Skip Horine, who is self employed, is making his third run for the city’s top job. He says there are ways to help young people succeed. “Making sure our schools are safe. Making sure we take drugs off the street with a renewed effort and strategy, so they’re not tempted by that. Give them summer activities and many of our youth need to have structured occupational teaching with on site,” said Horine.
Another issue possibly facing the next mayor is the future of city hall.
Ike Lawrence is not convinced a new city hall is the best way to go.
“Fix the current one. It’s debt free. It has very few problems that I know of. How could you move five buildings, much less one building and leave a great downtown address like Main Street and Vine Street,” explained Lawrence.
Proponents of a move says costs for maintaining the current location are growing.
Weyman also believes improvements can be made to the current urban county government center. “I believe that the old city hall can be renovated. There’s no reason to build a new building. That’s such a waste of money,” noted Weyman.
Horine, for one, would consider a new life for the old Lexington government building. But, he says, it deserves a close review first.
“If the old city hall doesn’t serve our future needs, then we probably should build a new one or seek a lease on another building. I don’t know if owning or leasing would be better. That’s something we’d have to look at to see what’s more cost effective,” said Horine.
The future of City Hall is just one of the tasks facing the next mayor. But, for now, the mayoral candidates are focused on the voting next Tuesday.
