Re-elect Akers to District 2 council seat

Lexington Second District Council member Shevawn Akers has earned a third term.

Akers, who is opposed in this election by political newcomer Sasha Love Higgins, has advocated effectively for her district and grown considerably in her role during almost four years on the council.

District 2 encompasses a diverse area that runs from the western end of downtown to Spurr Road and Interstate 75/64. It includes some of Lexington’s oldest neighborhoods along the Georgetown Street corridor, the long-established Meadowthorpe, and some of the newest out Leestown Road as well as the mixed-use Distillery District along Manchester Street.

Akers has been a constant presence in the district, regularly attending neighborhood association meetings and other public events. She has advocated effectively for upgrades to existing parks, extension of the trails that have enhanced the quality of life and development of several neighborhoods, and is the leading advocate on the council for public arts projects, most notably the installation that lights up the new Oliver Lewis Way bridge.

She has been a progressive voice on the council, endorsing increasing the minimum wage, creation of a needle exchange, and consistently supporting the essential efforts to upgrade our sewer and storm water infrastructure. Although she has served only four years, Akers is now among the more senior members of the council, making her experience a valuable asset.

Higgins, a veteran of the hospitality business who is now general manager of the Hampton Inn in Beaumont, impressed the editorial board with her competence, intelligence, energy and interest in helping the low-income develop job skills.

However, she relied more on general assertions of her desire to help Lexington and the district than any concrete proposals about the role the Urban County Government can or should play to accomplish those goals.

We hope that Higgins will remain involved and find other venues for contributing to the community.

However, Akers is the stronger candidate who is well representing the Second District.

This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 6:27 PM with the headline "Re-elect Akers to District 2 council seat."