Letters on Tuesday primary, unendorsed candidates respond

Stinnett for mayor

From its urban core to its horse farms, Lexington is arguably the most diverse city in all of Kentucky. That’s why in an age of political partisanship, Lexington needs to maintain nonpartisan leadership.

Mayor Jim Gray has done a good job in representing all of Lexington. In the eight years he has been in office, there has been one council member in particular who stands out in finding middle ground on difficult issues such as pensions, budget deficits and conflicting cultural heritage.

He has been critical in managing relationships between citizens and police, and between Fayette County Public Schools and the citizens of our city. These are just a few of the reasons why I am supporting Kevin Stinnett for mayor of Lexington.

Lexington is built on small businesses like mine, and Stinnett’s small-business experience helps him understand the challenges we face on a daily basis.

Gorton for changing times

For balanced and responsive leadership on the toughest issues, Linda Gorton has no equal. We look to her to protect our homes, our beloved streets and our neighborhoods at a time when land is scarce. We trust Gorton’s skill, her caring and her keen intelligence to find solutions, to build unity in our differences and to strike new paths to success.

Lexington/Fayette County stands at a crossroads on so many issues. Only Gorton, as a nurse and former vice mayor, has the depth of experience to navigate these shifting waters. To develop good jobs and housing at moderate rates for all ages, without betraying our farmland and natural environment. To fight steep increases in drug dependency and violent crime, while keeping the promise of equity and compassion in public health.

We need Gorton as mayor now, for our conflicts, challenges and opportunities have never been greater.

Clarke caring, effective

I encourage Fayette County voters to cast a ballot for Harry Clarke for Urban County Council member at-large. I have known Clarke for more than 30 years, and know him to be a man of honesty, integrity and concern for fellow citizens.

In his earlier term as a council member for the district in which we then lived, I found him to be responsive to concerns and effective in accomplishing goals. I worked with Clarke during his career at the University of Kentucky and witnessed his tireless efforts in support of the young people in his charge. I saw his selflessness and willingness to take on thankless tasks when he coached both of my sons in Little League baseball.

Council seats are nonpartisan. I daresay that few if any of us are capable of being completely nonpartisan; however, Clarke approaches that ideal more closely than anyone I have ever known.

Mers face of future

Josh Mers is the new leader we need in the General Assembly. His track record of leadership with Lexington Fairness, the Human Rights Commission and within the Democratic Party prove that he would be the best new candidate to replace the current member in House District 88. Let’s move forward with new leaders who will guide us in the future.

Thomas should apologize

Reggie Thomas’ assertion during last month’s 6th District debate that Lt. Col. Amy McGrath is a kind of “carpetbagger” was an undignified and gratuitous insult.

McGrath grew up in Kentucky, went to school in Kentucky, left to go to college and to serve her country freely and loyally. Now she has returned to continue to be an active and dedicated citizen. Calling her a carpetbagger is by extension an unacceptable insult to every veteran who has ever left Kentucky to serve our country and then returned home. He owes a public apology to her and to all of those veterans.

Experienced businessman in District 11

Growing up the son of a single mom who was a public school teacher, my first job was delivering this very newspaper, and mowing yards in the neighborhood to help our family make ends meet.

We started a real-estate business doing much of the work ourselves. From a single rental property in 1991, over the years we built and remodeled hundreds of affordable houses, townhouses and apartments. I have dealt with multiple city departments, giving me experience in addressing the issues Lexington and the 11th District are facing.

I have completed projects totaling nearly $100 million over the years, all managed to successful completion, and was able to weather the market collapse of 2008 when many other builders didn’t.

One opponent served 13 years on the council, during which crime rose 110 percent; voted against a fairness ordinance and has offered no proof her views have changed; failed to address stormwater runoff and residential flooding throughout her district, causing the Environmental Protection Agency to sue the city in 2006, costing us millions.

Lexington can’t afford more of this experience.

I have been endorsed by Kentucky Fairness in this race because I don’t believe in second-class human beings. I believe crime needs to be addressed immediately and have offered detailed ways of addressing the issue at Davidisbetter.com.

Traditional Kentucky values in House 88

My story is a local Lexington story of a woman who has the privilege to run for House District 88 in the greatest country in the world.

I’m running for office to offer a fresh perspective of a wife, a mother of a boy and a girl and two rescue dogs. After graduating from the University of Kentucky undergrad and law school, I opened my own firm 15 years ago and actively represent clients in family court, real estate and business law.

Our campaign is based on a Family First Platform with a focus on open and honest government. To move forward as a state, we must improve our approach to job creation and affordable health care. We must demand transparency and embrace term limits for legislators. Democrats ran the House in Kentucky for 95 years and became intoxicated with power.

Today our state is financially adrift and we must steer it back on a course of fiscal responsibility. These problems were not created by Republicans but must be solved by both parties for all Kentuckians to move forward in a healthy economy for all our citizens.

I’m a passionate advocate for single mothers, consumers, families of all types. I root for underdogs and everyday heroes, including teachers, first responders and especially veterans.

I support traditional Kentucky values — pro-God, pro-life and pro-guns — and would be honored to earn your vote on May 22.

This story was originally published May 16, 2018 at 7:44 PM with the headline "Letters on Tuesday primary, unendorsed candidates respond."