Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton has detailed plans to carry out several recommendations contained in the Commission for Racial Justice and Equality report.
The mayor said she remains committed to moving recommendations from paper to tangible actions. “I will say what I said when I appointed the Commission. I am determined on this that we not lose our moment to make meaningful change,” said Gorton.
Gorton spoke about the formation of a new Department of Housing and Community Support. She said that will encompass work in affordable housing, planning, and a loan program to meet code enforcement standards.
In addition to plans for the new department, the mayor noted the aim is to increase spending for minority owned businesses, and implement whole family programs that might use government buildings for job training.
Much attention has focused on law enforcement modifications, something which Council Member James Brown is pleased with. “The other thing I thought was real promising from the report was how aggressive the police department has been in implementing some of those recommendations,” said Brown.
Gorton, meanwhile, said a permanent Commission for Racial Justice and Equality would not be a transfer of the 70 volunteers who served on several subcommittees.
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