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.

Question 1:

How would you propose making Lexington Public Transportation more effective and efficient?

As Vice Mayor I was a strong supporter of public transportation. During my time as a Councilmember, I supported the LexTran dedicated funding referendum to go on the ballot for a vote. Continue increasing number of routes to connect neighborhoods with main arteries. Continue using transportation grants to fund electric & natural gas fueled buses. Continue to seek innovative traffic engineering & control solutions.

Question 2:

What is your position on future growth and development issues as they affect Fayette County? What are your ideas about issues related to zoning, sprawl, urban service boundary expansion, historical districts in lower-income neighborhoods, increase in rent, and in-fill development?

As Vice Mayor & Council member, I was a strong proponent of Infill/Redevelopment initiatives, as well as a supporter of Fayette County’s agricultural businesses. It is very expensive for the government to provide infrastructure & services to new development, e.g. roads, sanitary sewers, storm water, fire stations, police facilities, etc, if outside the Urban Service Boundary (USB). I support filling in the vacant acres within the current USB. Fayette County has a long & strong history of planned growth with major input from neighborhoods & citizens. We need to work closely with developers, Housing Authority, neighborhoods & others to determine new initiatives for affordable housing.

Question 3:

What policies would you include to minimize Lexington’s carbon footprint? Do you support clean energy?

I support a variety of energy sources & recognize that we have only one earth & we need to take initiatives to make it as healthy for people as possible.

Question 4:

Where do you stand on city workers’ rights for collective bargaining? What policies do you support to improve their workplace conditions and standard of living?

My record on Council reflects my support for collective bargaining for police, fire & corrections. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) has many safety policies in place to protect workers & provide safe, healthy workplace conditions. I support the efforts to pay LFUCG employees fairly.

Question 5:

In 2015, nearly 800 students in Fayette County Public Schools were homeless. We also have a shortage of housing that is affordable. How do you plan to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in our community?

Affordable housing opportunities are critical to helping solve the homeless problem. City's Div of Planning will be an important part of the process of finding ways to incent development of affordable housing. There are several programs already in place related to homelessness & I will review & support them. Linked to the homeless students is job training & retraining for their parents, allowing them to earn a living which will provide housing for the family.

Question 6:

What ideas do you have to create jobs and reduce unemployment in Lexington? What specifically would you do to promote a living wage, minority hiring and support for minority owned businesses?

Lexington-Fayette County currently has a very low unemployment rate, between 3 & 4%, lower than that of the US & lower than Kentucky. First, we need a Strategic Plan for Economic Development & Employment, crafted through collaborative efforts of economic development stakeholders to create a plan for full employment for now as well as the future. We must collaborate with our universities, businesses, & job training initiatives to be sure we can train & hire people in need of a job, anticipating what our community needs based on our strategic plan. I will continue to support the efforts of Minority Business Expo, training & other initiatives currently assisting minority owned businesses & those who want to start a business. We also must elevate community efforts to train or retrain people getting out of prison in order for them to become gainfully employed.

Question 7:

Do you believe Black Lives Matter? What work do you think we have to do in Lexington to address racial inequities inside and outside the halls of government?

It is the duty of all of government to treat all people with respect & to serve without discrimination. In the 1990’s I was appointed to the Fayette County Public Schools Equity County, where I served for several years. I understand that within government we must encourage & model mutual respect & outside government there must also be non-discrimination.

Question 8:

With the recent outpouring of stories from women of their experiences with sexual assault in the workplace, more organizations are making sexual harassment training mandatory for employment. What policies and procedures do you support to protect government workers in the workplace? What else would you do to expand the rights of women in Lexington?

Require LFUCG employees to complete annual sexual harassment training. Convene community-wide forum to address issues of women.

Question 9:

What specific types of legal protections do you believe transgender people should have, and what would you do to ensure those protections?

As a supporter of Lexington’s Fairness Ordinance in 1999, I have demonstrated a history of treating all people with respect. I would like to learn more about the issues & legal protections by talking with transgender people.

Question 10:

What are your plans to address necessary infrastructure repairs in Lexington (sewers, power lines, street repair)?

Linda Gorton - Annually I put $850,000 in my budget for the Hope Center & I
recommended & LFUCG gave $2M ARPA funds to help build the newest Hope Center transitional housing units. Each year we put 0.33% of previous year revenues into Homelessness services ($1,469,329 current budget). My Mayor’s Homeless Task Force is currently at work to craft new recommendations to address our unhoused population. I have spoken with all KY Legislative leadership requesting state dollars for homeless work in Fayette County. I have funded (almost $3M) & we built a winter warming shelter, have con-
sistently increased financial support for upstream homeless services & will recommend a portion of Opioid Abatement funds where applicable for onsite recovery services in the homeless population.

Question 1:

How would you propose making Lexington Public Transportation more effective and efficient?

As Vice Mayor I was a strong supporter of public transportation. During my time as a Councilmember, I supported the LexTran dedicated funding referendum to go on the ballot for a vote. Continue increasing number of routes to connect neighborhoods with main arteries. Continue using transportation grants to fund electric & natural gas fueled buses. Continue to seek innovative traffic engineering & control solutions.

Question 2:

What is your position on future growth and development issues as they affect Fayette County? What are your ideas about issues related to zoning, sprawl, urban service boundary expansion, historical districts in lower-income neighborhoods, increase in rent, and in-fill development?

As Vice Mayor & Council member, I was a strong proponent of Infill/Redevelopment initiatives, as well as a supporter of Fayette County’s agricultural businesses. It is very expensive for the government to provide infrastructure & services to new development, e.g. roads, sanitary sewers, storm water, fire stations, police facilities, etc, if outside the Urban Service Boundary (USB). I support filling in the vacant acres within the current USB. Fayette County has a long & strong history of planned growth with major input from neighborhoods & citizens. We need to work closely with developers, Housing Authority, neighborhoods & others to determine new initiatives for affordable housing.

Question 3:

What policies would you include to minimize Lexington’s carbon footprint? Do you support clean energy?

I support a variety of energy sources & recognize that we have only one earth & we need to take initiatives to make it as healthy for people as possible.

Question 4:

Where do you stand on city workers’ rights for collective bargaining? What policies do you support to improve their workplace conditions and standard of living?

My record on Council reflects my support for collective bargaining for police, fire & corrections. Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) has many safety policies in place to protect workers & provide safe, healthy workplace conditions. I support the efforts to pay LFUCG employees fairly.

Question 5:

In 2015, nearly 800 students in Fayette County Public Schools were homeless. We also have a shortage of housing that is affordable. How do you plan to address homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in our community?

Affordable housing opportunities are critical to helping solve the homeless problem. City's Div of Planning will be an important part of the process of finding ways to incent development of affordable housing. There are several programs already in place related to homelessness & I will review & support them. Linked to the homeless students is job training & retraining for their parents, allowing them to earn a living which will provide housing for the family.

Question 6:

What ideas do you have to create jobs and reduce unemployment in Lexington? What specifically would you do to promote a living wage, minority hiring and support for minority owned businesses?

Lexington-Fayette County currently has a very low unemployment rate, between 3 & 4%, lower than that of the US & lower than Kentucky. First, we need a Strategic Plan for Economic Development & Employment, crafted through collaborative efforts of economic development stakeholders to create a plan for full employment for now as well as the future. We must collaborate with our universities, businesses, & job training initiatives to be sure we can train & hire people in need of a job, anticipating what our community needs based on our strategic plan. I will continue to support the efforts of Minority Business Expo, training & other initiatives currently assisting minority owned businesses & those who want to start a business. We also must elevate community efforts to train or retrain people getting out of prison in order for them to become gainfully employed.

Question 7:

Do you believe Black Lives Matter? What work do you think we have to do in Lexington to address racial inequities inside and outside the halls of government?

It is the duty of all of government to treat all people with respect & to serve without discrimination. In the 1990’s I was appointed to the Fayette County Public Schools Equity County, where I served for several years. I understand that within government we must encourage & model mutual respect & outside government there must also be non-discrimination.

Question 8:

With the recent outpouring of stories from women of their experiences with sexual assault in the workplace, more organizations are making sexual harassment training mandatory for employment. What policies and procedures do you support to protect government workers in the workplace? What else would you do to expand the rights of women in Lexington?

Require LFUCG employees to complete annual sexual harassment training. Convene community-wide forum to address issues of women.

Question 9:

What specific types of legal protections do you believe transgender people should have, and what would you do to ensure those protections?

As a supporter of Lexington’s Fairness Ordinance in 1999, I have demonstrated a history of treating all people with respect. I would like to learn more about the issues & legal protections by talking with transgender people.

Question 10:

What are your plans to address necessary infrastructure repairs in Lexington (sewers, power lines, street repair)?

As Vice Mayor & Council member in Lexington, I have a documented history of leadership in tackling tough infrastructure repairs. I chaired the Stormwater Oversight Committee, as well as the Stormwater Management Fee Task Force, which resulted in compliance with the EPA Consent Decree funding mechanism to fix sewer problems. This was mandated by the EPA & I led this Task Force toward a solution which gained approval from the Council & was signed into law by Mayor Newberry. I will continue to place a high priority on infrastructure improvements in annual budgets.

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.

Question 1:

Lexington continues to grow, yet many residents feel priced out of housing in their own city. What specific policies would you champion to expand affordable housing while managing growth responsibly—and how would you ensure long-term residents are not displaced?

I voted in 2014 to form the Affordable Housing Fund, and as Mayor, have funded it annually, now at 1% of previous year’s revenues. I initiated and continue to fund grants for low-income homeowners to repair code violations, enabling them to stay in their homes. Last year I brought to the Council a program for developers to use our government’s Industrial Revenue Bonding to incentivize housing developers to include Affordable Housing in mixed use developments.

Question 2:

It seems that there are more unhoused citizens at off-ramps and stoplights asking for money. If elected mayor, how would you address Lexington’s homeless situation?

I appointed the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness, which will make recommendations for solutions this year. The city annually funds the Hope Center, also a winter warming shelter, and allocated $2M to the newest Hope Center transitional housing addition. We continue to fund the Panhandler Van to pick up those on street corners and pay them to work during the day. I have expanded our Community Paramedicine Program, a program where our paramedics, social workers and mental health specialists assist those on the streets and others who need help but not necessarily emergency assistance.

Question 3:

Public safety remains a top concern for many Lexington families. How would you balance traditional policing with community-based violence prevention, mental health response, and restorative strategies to ensure safety and trust across all neighborhoods?

I have been a long-time advocate for strong public safety because I understand that safety is the foundation of all great communities. We want people to feel safe walking down the street or going to see art or playing in a park with their children. For years our police have trained to be community-focused as well as try to assist people. I have hired all the members of our One Lexington team which has a laser focus on decreasing youth violence. In their work they partner with schools, public safety, residents who volunteer, non-profits and others to mentor, walk the neighborhoods, mediate in the schools, and assist those who have experienced violence and much more. My team worked with University of KY & Eastern State Hospital to open the Empath Center, the first mental health emergency room in Kentucky.

Question 4:

Lexington’s economy is strong in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism, yet income disparities persist. What is your plan to ensure economic development benefits working-class families, small businesses, minority owned businesses, and historically underinvested communities?

I have been deeply involved with my economic development team, always looking for opportunities to partner with businesses to help them stay strong. During Covid, we offered grants to small businesses because of the dramatic downturn in the economy. I started two programs in our detention center which are changing peoples’ lives. First is our addiction recovery focus and second is partnering with Jubilee Jobs to help inmates who are finishing their incarceration have classes on how to do a job interview, how to write a resume and many efforts resulting in inmates taking a path straight to a job. I have started city-sponsored expungement clinics in conjunction with job fairs. We have just finished our 7th such clinic, successfully leading people to new jobs.

Question 5:

From traffic congestion to public transit and pedestrian safety, infrastructure affects daily life across Lexington. What investments or reforms would you prioritize to improve mobility and overall quality of life for residents?

My government of 3000+ employees is people-focused every day. I prioritize a variety of ADA sidewalk ramps, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and numerous projects related to quality of life. Examples are upgrades to parks, programming and renovations to our community centers, such as those at Dunbar Center, Douglass Park, Cardinal Run North and Carver Center. We have brought arts and culture to many of our community centers. I initiated our first Mobile Food Market in partnership with Kroger, God’s Pantry and our government. It is extremely successful in areas where people do not have grocery stores. This was a result of discussions about health in my Commission on Racial Justice and Equality.

Question 6:

Voters often say they want greater transparency and responsiveness from city leadership. If elected mayor, how would you ensure your administration remains accessible, accountable, and inclusive in decision-making?

I do this in several ways. Some examples are my regular newsletters to residents across Fayette County, my Faith Leaders’ Listening Sessions, my Town Halls about various topics, my social media informational posts, my numerous meetings with residents, as well as continuing to make meetings available on our live stream and website. In appointing Lexington residents to our boards and commissions, I focus on a diverse group of appointees.

Question 7:

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Lexington right now, and what specific steps would you take to address it?

Lexington is growing, which brings some challenges. In the big picture, our challenge is to continue to attract enough jobs so that our residents can be employed, thereby having the ability to afford housing. Nationwide housing costs have increased dramatically. This extends to having enough Affordable Housing for low-income people. I have regularly funded Affordable Housing, have put into the budget grants for low-income homeowners to fix code violations, funded Solar Lex so residents can participate in receiving grants for roof-top solar, thus lowering their utility costs, and intensively focused building the infrastructure for our Legacy Business Park as well as creating our multi-county Regional Business Park Authority.

Question 8:

How will your administration address youth engagement, recreation, and opportunities for young people in Lexington?

Our young people deserve to grow up in a safe, vibrant community with choices for activities, recreation and a variety of opportunities. I have invested heavily in our parks, making certain they are built with robust input from our young people. We intentionally have many types of programming and activities at the parks as well as our community centers. We also fund our summer youth job program, as well as workforce activities at the middle-school level to educate our middle schoolers as they think about future careers. One Lexington continues to work with youth impacted by violence, not only in the neighborhoods, but also in the schools and in partnership with non-profits, community volunteers and public safety.

Question 9:

What leadership qualities make you the best candidate to serve as mayor of Lexington? And why should residents vote for you?

I love people and have a strong history of bringing people together to accomplish big results! One example was my forward-thinking leadership during Covid, helping our people and businesses manage and stay strong. My experience is second to none–a full career as a Registered Nurse as well as 16 years as a Council Member and two terms as Lexington Mayor, leading our 3000+ employees and our city. There is no substitute for this type of experience, especially as our nation, state and city are experiencing rising costs of housing, utilities, groceries, fuel, as well as other uncertainties. Our residents need a strong, experienced, steady leader like myself, especially now, who has dedicated, people-focused employees.

Question 10:

Why do you want to be Lexington’s next mayor?

I still have work to do to continue to raise the quality of life for all of our people. Given my steady hand and my focus on leading people into the future, I continue to have a passion for my work as Mayor of Lexington.

Get Involved