Letters to editor on mayoral race

Gorton a true leader

I came to Lexington for a challenging job, intending to stay for five years. I stayed because of a dynamic community. Over the last 15 years, Lexington has steadily gotten better.

With the right leadership, Lexington should and could aspire to be a leading university city. It has made great strides but is at a significant crossroads. It must emphasize economic development that helps all but clearly positions itself for the high-tech, digital economy of the future.

It must grow but grow smartly with a focus on preserving its wonderful landscape and not just sprawl. It must emphasize the arts, culture and recreational opportunities that are important to attract highly talented individuals. It must maintain itself as a family-friendly town.

To do this, Lexington will require visionary, steady, seasoned leadership that brings people together. That is why we need Linda Gorton as mayor, in my opinion as a citizen.

Bastin values diversity

I have been involved in the life of this city for over 30 years, yet this is the first time I have publicly endorsed a candidate. The times demand involvement. Ronnie Bastin has been my friend for almost 20 years, not because we always see eye-to-eye, but because we are always willing to work together for the best interest of all of Lexington.

I have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Bastin in some very difficult situations and watched him do not what was popular, but what was right.

Bastin proactively seeks input from a broad and diverse group of people and the results he gets reflect the input he has received. He is a man of great integrity and discipline who is respectful of all people. He understands our diversity in Lexington is a great strength.

I am convinced that Lexington needs Bastin as mayor to courageously lead us into the future.

Reject special interests

Thank you for your recent article spotlighting national special-interest monies given to Lexington mayoral candidate Ronnie Bastin.

The people of Lexington have a right to know that the National Realtors Association Fund in Chicago supports a local candidate. Why? We don’t need a candidate beholden to Realtors and developers, when he says he wants to protect the existing development boundaries of the city.

Linda Gorton will protect the beauty of our city and preserve the farmland that makes Lexington the Horse Capital of the World and a worldwide tourist destination. Gorton isn’t beholden to outside special-interest groups.

Keep city on track

The clear choice in Lexington’s mayoral race is Linda Gorton. Gorton has a proven track record of putting our community’s needs and interests first.

As a business owner and a lifelong Lexingtonian, I have witnessed the incredible momentum our city is experiencing. We need to keep moving forward. Gorton is the leader who will harness what makes Lexington unique to create jobs and ensure we have the educated and skilled workforce to fill those jobs. She will leave no one behind and will represent all our citizens.

No other candidate has the experience and ability to bring people together to tackle tough problems. Lexington needs Gorton.

Bastin leads by example

I have known and worked closely with Ronnie Bastin, candidate for Lexington-Fayette County mayor, for nearly 20 years.

Bastin demonstrated his mastery of leadership during his years as a member of the Lexington-Fayette County Police Department. He worked his way through the ranks during a period of complex challenges that faced his agency and community.

With each challenge, Bastin excelled in bringing out the best in members of the police department. He handled problems head-on in a courageous and honest manner and earned the trust and confidence of his officers and Lexington residents.

Nationally, Bastin was a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police Model Policy Center. This group carves out model policies to guide police officers the world over. In this role, Bastin was considered a leader for a more responsible police service in the United States and beyond.

He is the right person to lead Lexington.