4 candidates want key Lexington council seat. Where they stand on police, more issues
The four candidates vying for a key downtown Lexington council district seat agree more needs to be done to increase police accountability but differ on how it should be done.
Jessica Mohler, the communications and marketing director for the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning, said she supports police accountability but “organizational reform must occur to dismantle the systemic racism that currently permeates.”
Christine Stanley, a lawyer, said she supports making changes to the Lexington Police department’s collective bargaining agreement to prohibit officers from removing past disciplinary actions from their personnel files. Currently, most disciplinary actions are removed from officers’ files after two years.
Hannah LeGris, a career counselor at the University of Kentucky, said she supports more police accountability and transparency. The city also needs to take a broad-based approach to crime that includes policies to address homelessness, addiction and mental health.
Charles D. Smith, a retired workforce employment specialist and former city employee, said the city needs to scrutinize the data it has on police and citizen interactions. Smith said more transparency in police disciplinary records will go a long way to restoring trust and rooting out police officers who may need retraining. Smith said he would also support eliminating no-knock warrants.
All four pledge to do more to address long-standing racial injustices and inequalities in Lexington. Prompted by the recent police-involved killings of Breonna Taylor in Louisville and George Floyd in Minneapolis, protesters have marched through Lexington streets for more than a week, demanding more scrutiny of police discipline and complaints among other steps.
The four candidates also share something else in common — they are all political newcomers who have never run for office before.
The top two vote-getters on June 23 will move on to the general election.
The 3rd District includes much of downtown, the University of Kentucky and the surrounding downtown neighborhoods. Much of Lexington’s redevelopment — and the resulting fights — are in the 3rd District.
The 3rd Council District is one of two open council district seats this year. Council district members make $33,627 a year. The race is nonpartisan. The winners serve two-year terms.
Late Councilman Jake Gibbs, who served three terms, announced last fall that he would step down at the end of this year. Gibbs died unexpectedly of natural causes in early March. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton appointed Mark Swanson, a longtime friend of Gibbs and a UK professor, to fill Gibbs unexpired term. Swanson is not running for the seat.
The Lexington Herald-Leader asked the candidates about key issues facing Lexington, including a proposal that would allow accessory dwelling units, tiny houses or smaller attached units, in neighborhoods, and why they are the best candidate for the job.
Do you support allowing accessory dwelling units in residential neighborhoods? Why or Why not?
LeGris: ADUs can support the needs of our growing population and provide options for seniors and those who wish to age in place. They may provide a viable opportunity if implemented with a focus on maintaining public health and neighborhood standards. As a city, we must enforce housing rules and owner-occupancy requirements more consistently.
Mohler: Owner-occupied ADUs are different from ADUs used solely for long-term rentals. Aging seniors make up the most significant growth in our housing needs. ADUs could be part of a solution to provide affordable housing for our seniors to age with dignity. ADUs also fit into the Comprehensive Plan’s commitment to increase density.
Smith: I would not support blanket approval of ADUs. For most of the 3rd District, the consequences of ADUs could be harmful. I will advocate for building up and not out. Many 3rd District neighborhoods experience problems because of increased urban density: lack of parking, rundown properties, and too much housing churn.
Stanley: Not at this time. The current ADU proposal does not sufficiently guarantee housing for our most vulnerable populations. While I agree ADUs could, in the future, be an option for our aging and disabled population to remain independent in their home, I want to ensure we have the capacity to inspect and enforce violations first.
What is the most pressing issue in the 3rd District and what would you do to address it?
LeGris: We will have to work hard to overcome the economic crisis and budgetary shortfall. My top priority will be assisting with the survival and recovery of local businesses. Any federal relief funds we receive should be directed accordingly. It is also imperative to continue working with the legislative delegation so that the city can diversify its revenue options.
Mohler: Growth. As our city grows, so does economic disparities. From affordable housing and spatial inequality to the economic and racial segregation of our neighborhoods and schools. I will work to create vibrant, amenity-rich communities where people can thrive, regardless of income or zip code. Growth is only sustainable when it is smart and equitable.
Smith: The main issue for the 3rd District and all of Lexington is that our revenue sources need to transition to a more stable source that is not as dependent on a growing economy. For Lexington to reach its true potential, it has to find money to fund programs that can make it a great city.
Stanley: Preserving the integrity and character of our urban neighborhoods while protecting cyclists and pedestrians. We need to support the Complete Streets concept, prioritizing a pedestrian-first design that also accommodates the needs of bicycle, transit and other vehicles. I would implement housing incentives that strengthen the opportunities for higher-density and housing affordability outside of established neighborhoods.
Why are you the best candidate for the 3rd District?
LeGris: As a counselor, writer, and educator I know the value of common sense, creativity, and collaboration. Throughout my career I have worked and served alongside many different leaders in our community learning how to empower others and get things done. As your Council Member, I will focus on safety, economic opportunity, and inclusion for all community members.
Mohler: A longtime resident of the 3rd District and mother of two with 20 years experience working in Lexington as a writer, social justice advocate, and for the past 11 years, as a director at the Carnegie Center, my compassionate leadership, will focus on: smart and equitable growth, homelessness and housing, greener neighborhoods and a unified Lexington.
Stanley: I’ll be ready on day one. I have spent the last five and a half years serving on two city commissions developing relationships with local leaders and learning the governing process. I am uniquely poised to continue the work of building an inclusive city where everyone can not only live but thrive.
Smith: I have lived in the 3rd District for most of the last 45 years. I earned a bachelor’s degree from UK. I worked for the LFUCG’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program. Before retiring, I worked for the state’s Workforce Development Cabinet. My experience gives me a unique perspective to move the 3rd District forward.
This story was originally published June 14, 2020 at 10:37 AM.
