ISSUES

Basic Services & Infrastructure are the foundation of good government.

The most basic reason governments are formed is to provide adequate public safety (for example: police, fire, emergency management), good basic services (garbage collection, street lights, street cleaning, parks, etc) and infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewers, etc). For that reason, the needs of public safety, streets & roads, sewers, emergency management, parks, and other basics should be considered in the top tier for funding during every budget cycle.

High Priority for Storm Water & Flooding

For several years prior to 2009 I was the only council member to propose stormwater funding from unanticipated revenues. As the result of a lawsuit by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for violating the Federal Clean Water Act, Lexington had to fix our stormwater problems.

I accepted the challenge to chair the Stormwater Fee Task Force, created by the Council to address the stormwater problems. During the work of that task force, from Dec. 2008 – April 2009, I worked with representatives from the civic, business, and neighborhood communities to craft a funding solution to our massive water pollution and flooding problems. The Water Quality Management Fee, approved by the Council in May 2009 & implemented in January 2010, will be dedicated to fixing our water quality/flooding problems. Currently identified projects total more than $117 million and require a commitment of regular funding.

I support planned growth.

In 1958, Lexington became the first community in the United States to establish an Urban Service Boundary (USB), designating the land inside that boundary for future development. Since then, various other tools have been put into place to help define our planning process. Some of these tools are the Comprehensive Plan for Land Use (reviewed every five years by the Planning Commission), the Rural Land Management Plan (adopted in 1999), the Purchase of Development Rights Program (adopted in 2000), and the Infill & Redevelopment Program. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) has also adopted Engineering Manuals, defining standards for building construction.

With all this in mind, the Urban County Council’s role in reviewing the Comprehensive Plan is to review and adopt the Goals & Objectives, which drive the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission has the sole decision-making role in whether to expand the USB during its every-five-year review.

During the Urban County Council’s review of the Goals & Objectives in 2006, I was part of the unanimous decision to reject a new Comprehensive Plan Goal of expanding the Urban Service Boundary. City planners have indicated that undeveloped acreage (perhaps as much as 9000 acres) remains within the current boundary, including Infill & Redevelopment opportunities. Part of the discussion must continue to be how to ensure that there is adequate infrastructure (sewers, roads, etc) to support increased Infill & Redevelopment. Our Division of Water Quality has undertaken a Capacity Assurance Study to determine which of our sanitary sewers can accommodate increased sewer capacity for added density through Infill.

Most importantly, I believe we need to continue community-wide discussion regarding growth in Fayette County. Neighborhoods, business owners, developers, citizens, Commerce Lexington, Bluegrass Tomorrow and other representatives of growth interests need to sit at the table to have meaningful conversations about what we want Fayette County to be like in 50-100 years. A vision for the future of our land will promote continued planned growth, to enable Fayette Countians to preserve what makes our county unique.

HOW WE BUILD A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND

Key Pillars:

1. People driven focus to build a 21st Century economy to make Lexington the leader in growing jobs of the future and strategically align resources to effectively develop our workforce (regardless of age, class or status) to match it.

2. Incentivize, embrace and encourage innovation to strengthen and diversify our economy to make Lexington more adaptable and forward thinking.

3. Leverage the vibrancy of Lexington and its incredibly attractive landscape to enhance our quality of life and maximize the economic potential of our unique brand.

4. Ensure that efficiency and accountability are at the center of all publicly driven economic efforts.

Lexington’s unprecedented recent growth has created record low unemployment levels and our government has provided a financial catalyst to attract many outstanding companies. We are moving in the right direction, but much remains to be done. To build on this momentum, now is the time for Lexington to take bold steps to create a 21st Century economy that prioritizes creating opportunities for all our citizens, leveraging our core industries and harnessing the power of our unique brand. To achieve this, we don’t need new government programs, we need smart government action.

As your mayor, I will create a smart economic development strategy based on the following principles:

1. Putting people first. Lexington’s historic low unemployment rate shows that we have been able to educate, attract and retain a top-notch workforce. To compete in the 21st Century economy, we must continue to grow the knowledge-based jobs of the future. We are on the right track, but we must do better to ensure that no one is left behind.

To create opportunities for all our citizens, we must better align the skills and education of our workforce with the needs of employers. We must create strategic collaborations between city hall, our regional and state partners, educational institutions, workforce and community agencies, economic development entities, and employers to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education.

We must create a comprehensive strategy to address our labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those who are struggling in the workforce. We must ensure equitable access to training and education to build an inclusive economy and help remove physical and socioeconomic barriers to entering the job market.

We must also address the significant impact the opioid and illicit drug crisis has on every aspect of our community, including how it impacts our workforce and business. I have a plan to tackle this critical issue head-on and bring real solutions to our community.

Whether preparing a student to enter the workforce for the first time, or retraining a worker who is underemployed, retired or been laid off, we must work together to develop creative solutions so that all our citizens are equipped with the skills and education they need to land and keep good jobs.

2. Embracing innovation. Lexington is uniquely positioned to participate in the new economy, creating an environment for the high-value, knowledge-based jobs of the 21st Century. To harness this great potential, we must build on our core and emerging industries, including health care and health sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, software development, advanced manufacturing and information technology. We must create an environment that leverages our strengths by supporting growth and innovation in our existing industries, while providing the infrastructure necessary to create and attract new businesses and jobs. Success in the 21st Century economy requires reliable high-speed Internet access and the ability to innovate. Government agencies should work together to create efficient, transparent processes that provide proper oversight, but remove outdated regulations and unnecessary obstacles to business creation and development.

3. Harnessing our unique brand. What sets Lexington apart from other cities is our unique environment. Our beautiful Bluegrass landscape gives us a competitive edge in an increasingly mobile workforce. Lexington has something truly special that cannot be replicated--an increasingly vibrant city nestled in the most spectacular landscape. The balance between our city, rural and natural areas is the key to our economic development. To realize our potential to become an exciting and innovative 21st Century economy, we must harness and strengthen our unique Bluegrass brand to create the quality of life that professionals desire. Our unique brand also offers the potential for Lexington to be a major travel and tourism destination and grow jobs in that increasingly popular industry. From our global agricultural industries to our quality of life and tourism, our landscape must be a central piece of our economic development strategy.

4. Ensuring efficiency and accountability. It is the Mayor’s duty to ensure the transparent, efficient, effective and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I will hold every organization accountable for its use of taxpayer dollars. I will increase transparency so it is easier for citizens to understand how and where their tax dollars are being spent.

HOW WE BUILD A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND

Key Pillars:

1. People driven focus to build a 21st Century economy to make Lexington the leader in growing jobs of the future and strategically align resources to effectively develop our workforce (regardless of age, class or status) to match it.

2. Incentivize, embrace and encourage innovation to strengthen and diversify our economy to make Lexington more adaptable and forward thinking.

3. Leverage the vibrancy of Lexington and its incredibly attractive landscape to enhance our quality of life and maximize the economic potential of our unique brand.

4. Ensure that efficiency and accountability are at the center of all publicly driven economic efforts.

Lexington’s unprecedented recent growth has created record low unemployment levels and our government has provided a financial catalyst to attract many outstanding companies. We are moving in the right direction, but much remains to be done. To build on this momentum, now is the time for Lexington to take bold steps to create a 21st Century economy that prioritizes creating opportunities for all our citizens, leveraging our core industries and harnessing the power of our unique brand. To achieve this, we don’t need new government programs, we need smart government action.

As your mayor, I will create a smart economic development strategy based on the following principles:

1. Putting people first. Lexington’s historic low unemployment rate shows that we have been able to educate, attract and retain a top-notch workforce. To compete in the 21st Century economy, we must continue to grow the knowledge-based jobs of the future. We are on the right track, but we must do better to ensure that no one is left behind.

To create opportunities for all our citizens, we must better align the skills and education of our workforce with the needs of employers. We must create strategic collaborations between city hall, our regional and state partners, educational institutions, workforce and community agencies, economic development entities, and employers to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education.

We must create a comprehensive strategy to address our labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those who are struggling in the workforce. We must ensure equitable access to training and education to build an inclusive economy and help remove physical and socioeconomic barriers to entering the job market.

We must also address the significant impact the opioid and illicit drug crisis has on every aspect of our community, including how it impacts our workforce and business. I have a plan to tackle this critical issue head-on and bring real solutions to our community.

Whether preparing a student to enter the workforce for the first time, or retraining a worker who is underemployed, retired or been laid off, we must work together to develop creative solutions so that all our citizens are equipped with the skills and education they need to land and keep good jobs.

2. Embracing innovation. Lexington is uniquely positioned to participate in the new economy, creating an environment for the high-value, knowledge-based jobs of the 21st Century. To harness this great potential, we must build on our core and emerging industries, including health care and health sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, software development, advanced manufacturing and information technology. We must create an environment that leverages our strengths by supporting growth and innovation in our existing industries, while providing the infrastructure necessary to create and attract new businesses and jobs. Success in the 21st Century economy requires reliable high-speed Internet access and the ability to innovate. Government agencies should work together to create efficient, transparent processes that provide proper oversight, but remove outdated regulations and unnecessary obstacles to business creation and development.

3. Harnessing our unique brand. What sets Lexington apart from other cities is our unique environment. Our beautiful Bluegrass landscape gives us a competitive edge in an increasingly mobile workforce. Lexington has something truly special that cannot be replicated--an increasingly vibrant city nestled in the most spectacular landscape. The balance between our city, rural and natural areas is the key to our economic development. To realize our potential to become an exciting and innovative 21st Century economy, we must harness and strengthen our unique Bluegrass brand to create the quality of life that professionals desire. Our unique brand also offers the potential for Lexington to be a major travel and tourism destination and grow jobs in that increasingly popular industry. From our global agricultural industries to our quality of life and tourism, our landscape must be a central piece of our economic development strategy.

4. Ensuring efficiency and accountability. It is the Mayor’s duty to ensure the transparent, efficient, effective and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I will hold every organization accountable for its use of taxpayer dollars. I will increase transparency so it is easier for citizens to understand how and where their tax dollars are being spent.

ISSUES

Basic Services & Infrastructure are the foundation of good government.

The most basic reason governments are formed is to provide adequate public safety (for example: police, fire, emergency management), good basic services (garbage collection, street lights, street cleaning, parks, etc) and infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewers, etc). For that reason, the needs of public safety, streets & roads, sewers, emergency management, parks, and other basics should be considered in the top tier for funding during every budget cycle.

High Priority for Storm Water & Flooding

For several years prior to 2009 I was the only council member to propose stormwater funding from unanticipated revenues. As the result of a lawsuit by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for violating the Federal Clean Water Act, Lexington had to fix our stormwater problems.

I accepted the challenge to chair the Stormwater Fee Task Force, created by the Council to address the stormwater problems. During the work of that task force, from Dec. 2008 – April 2009, I worked with representatives from the civic, business, and neighborhood communities to craft a funding solution to our massive water pollution and flooding problems. The Water Quality Management Fee, approved by the Council in May 2009 & implemented in January 2010, will be dedicated to fixing our water quality/flooding problems. Currently identified projects total more than $117 million and require a commitment of regular funding.

I support planned growth.

In 1958, Lexington became the first community in the United States to establish an Urban Service Boundary (USB), designating the land inside that boundary for future development. Since then, various other tools have been put into place to help define our planning process. Some of these tools are the Comprehensive Plan for Land Use (reviewed every five years by the Planning Commission), the Rural Land Management Plan (adopted in 1999), the Purchase of Development Rights Program (adopted in 2000), and the Infill & Redevelopment Program. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) has also adopted Engineering Manuals, defining standards for building construction.

With all this in mind, the Urban County Council’s role in reviewing the Comprehensive Plan is to review and adopt the Goals & Objectives, which drive the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission has the sole decision-making role in whether to expand the USB during its every-five-year review.

During the Urban County Council’s review of the Goals & Objectives in 2006, I was part of the unanimous decision to reject a new Comprehensive Plan Goal of expanding the Urban Service Boundary. City planners have indicated that undeveloped acreage (perhaps as much as 9000 acres) remains within the current boundary, including Infill & Redevelopment opportunities. Part of the discussion must continue to be how to ensure that there is adequate infrastructure (sewers, roads, etc) to support increased Infill & Redevelopment. Our Division of Water Quality has undertaken a Capacity Assurance Study to determine which of our sanitary sewers can accommodate increased sewer capacity for added density through Infill.

Most importantly, I believe we need to continue community-wide discussion regarding growth in Fayette County. Neighborhoods, business owners, developers, citizens, Commerce Lexington, Bluegrass Tomorrow and other representatives of growth interests need to sit at the table to have meaningful conversations about what we want Fayette County to be like in 50-100 years. A vision for the future of our land will promote continued planned growth, to enable Fayette Countians to preserve what makes our county unique.

HOW WE BUILD A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND

Key Pillars:

1. People driven focus to build a 21st Century economy to make Lexington the leader in growing jobs of the future and strategically align resources to effectively develop our workforce (regardless of age, class or status) to match it.

2. Incentivize, embrace and encourage innovation to strengthen and diversify our economy to make Lexington more adaptable and forward thinking.

3. Leverage the vibrancy of Lexington and its incredibly attractive landscape to enhance our quality of life and maximize the economic potential of our unique brand.

4. Ensure that efficiency and accountability are at the center of all publicly driven economic efforts.

Lexington’s unprecedented recent growth has created record low unemployment levels and our government has provided a financial catalyst to attract many outstanding companies. We are moving in the right direction, but much remains to be done. To build on this momentum, now is the time for Lexington to take bold steps to create a 21st Century economy that prioritizes creating opportunities for all our citizens, leveraging our core industries and harnessing the power of our unique brand. To achieve this, we don’t need new government programs, we need smart government action.

As your mayor, I will create a smart economic development strategy based on the following principles:

1. Putting people first. Lexington’s historic low unemployment rate shows that we have been able to educate, attract and retain a top-notch workforce. To compete in the 21st Century economy, we must continue to grow the knowledge-based jobs of the future. We are on the right track, but we must do better to ensure that no one is left behind.

To create opportunities for all our citizens, we must better align the skills and education of our workforce with the needs of employers. We must create strategic collaborations between city hall, our regional and state partners, educational institutions, workforce and community agencies, economic development entities, and employers to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education.

We must create a comprehensive strategy to address our labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those who are struggling in the workforce. We must ensure equitable access to training and education to build an inclusive economy and help remove physical and socioeconomic barriers to entering the job market.

We must also address the significant impact the opioid and illicit drug crisis has on every aspect of our community, including how it impacts our workforce and business. I have a plan to tackle this critical issue head-on and bring real solutions to our community.

Whether preparing a student to enter the workforce for the first time, or retraining a worker who is underemployed, retired or been laid off, we must work together to develop creative solutions so that all our citizens are equipped with the skills and education they need to land and keep good jobs.

2. Embracing innovation. Lexington is uniquely positioned to participate in the new economy, creating an environment for the high-value, knowledge-based jobs of the 21st Century. To harness this great potential, we must build on our core and emerging industries, including health care and health sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, software development, advanced manufacturing and information technology. We must create an environment that leverages our strengths by supporting growth and innovation in our existing industries, while providing the infrastructure necessary to create and attract new businesses and jobs. Success in the 21st Century economy requires reliable high-speed Internet access and the ability to innovate. Government agencies should work together to create efficient, transparent processes that provide proper oversight, but remove outdated regulations and unnecessary obstacles to business creation and development.

3. Harnessing our unique brand. What sets Lexington apart from other cities is our unique environment. Our beautiful Bluegrass landscape gives us a competitive edge in an increasingly mobile workforce. Lexington has something truly special that cannot be replicated--an increasingly vibrant city nestled in the most spectacular landscape. The balance between our city, rural and natural areas is the key to our economic development. To realize our potential to become an exciting and innovative 21st Century economy, we must harness and strengthen our unique Bluegrass brand to create the quality of life that professionals desire. Our unique brand also offers the potential for Lexington to be a major travel and tourism destination and grow jobs in that increasingly popular industry. From our global agricultural industries to our quality of life and tourism, our landscape must be a central piece of our economic development strategy.

4. Ensuring efficiency and accountability. It is the Mayor’s duty to ensure the transparent, efficient, effective and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I will hold every organization accountable for its use of taxpayer dollars. I will increase transparency so it is easier for citizens to understand how and where their tax dollars are being spent.

HOW WE BUILD A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY THAT LEAVES NO ONE BEHIND

Key Pillars:

1. People driven focus to build a 21st Century economy to make Lexington the leader in growing jobs of the future and strategically align resources to effectively develop our workforce (regardless of age, class or status) to match it.

2. Incentivize, embrace and encourage innovation to strengthen and diversify our economy to make Lexington more adaptable and forward thinking.

3. Leverage the vibrancy of Lexington and its incredibly attractive landscape to enhance our quality of life and maximize the economic potential of our unique brand.

4. Ensure that efficiency and accountability are at the center of all publicly driven economic efforts.

Lexington’s unprecedented recent growth has created record low unemployment levels and our government has provided a financial catalyst to attract many outstanding companies. We are moving in the right direction, but much remains to be done. To build on this momentum, now is the time for Lexington to take bold steps to create a 21st Century economy that prioritizes creating opportunities for all our citizens, leveraging our core industries and harnessing the power of our unique brand. To achieve this, we don’t need new government programs, we need smart government action.

As your mayor, I will create a smart economic development strategy based on the following principles:

1. Putting people first. Lexington’s historic low unemployment rate shows that we have been able to educate, attract and retain a top-notch workforce. To compete in the 21st Century economy, we must continue to grow the knowledge-based jobs of the future. We are on the right track, but we must do better to ensure that no one is left behind.

To create opportunities for all our citizens, we must better align the skills and education of our workforce with the needs of employers. We must create strategic collaborations between city hall, our regional and state partners, educational institutions, workforce and community agencies, economic development entities, and employers to better leverage resources and information and to effectively deliver training and education.

We must create a comprehensive strategy to address our labor gaps, retraining, and reentry programs to assist those who are struggling in the workforce. We must ensure equitable access to training and education to build an inclusive economy and help remove physical and socioeconomic barriers to entering the job market.

We must also address the significant impact the opioid and illicit drug crisis has on every aspect of our community, including how it impacts our workforce and business. I have a plan to tackle this critical issue head-on and bring real solutions to our community.

Whether preparing a student to enter the workforce for the first time, or retraining a worker who is underemployed, retired or been laid off, we must work together to develop creative solutions so that all our citizens are equipped with the skills and education they need to land and keep good jobs.

2. Embracing innovation. Lexington is uniquely positioned to participate in the new economy, creating an environment for the high-value, knowledge-based jobs of the 21st Century. To harness this great potential, we must build on our core and emerging industries, including health care and health sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, software development, advanced manufacturing and information technology. We must create an environment that leverages our strengths by supporting growth and innovation in our existing industries, while providing the infrastructure necessary to create and attract new businesses and jobs. Success in the 21st Century economy requires reliable high-speed Internet access and the ability to innovate. Government agencies should work together to create efficient, transparent processes that provide proper oversight, but remove outdated regulations and unnecessary obstacles to business creation and development.

3. Harnessing our unique brand. What sets Lexington apart from other cities is our unique environment. Our beautiful Bluegrass landscape gives us a competitive edge in an increasingly mobile workforce. Lexington has something truly special that cannot be replicated--an increasingly vibrant city nestled in the most spectacular landscape. The balance between our city, rural and natural areas is the key to our economic development. To realize our potential to become an exciting and innovative 21st Century economy, we must harness and strengthen our unique Bluegrass brand to create the quality of life that professionals desire. Our unique brand also offers the potential for Lexington to be a major travel and tourism destination and grow jobs in that increasingly popular industry. From our global agricultural industries to our quality of life and tourism, our landscape must be a central piece of our economic development strategy.

4. Ensuring efficiency and accountability. It is the Mayor’s duty to ensure the transparent, efficient, effective and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I will hold every organization accountable for its use of taxpayer dollars. I will increase transparency so it is easier for citizens to understand how and where their tax dollars are being spent.

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