Letters to the editor on political races

Pro-Bastin ad concerning

Lexington is fortunate to have a non-partisan merged government. We look at our community through an objective lens free from political parties and outside political action committees that undermine other municipalities.

We own our future and hold the city’s leaders accountable on local issues. Lexington has been a refuge from the worst of big-time politics – until now.

Recently, the National Association of Realtors political action committee, headquartered in Chicago, mailed an advertisement to voters supporting Ronnie Bastin for mayor.

This is a curious move from a special interest whose Lexington affiliate only endorses candidates favoring expansion of the urban services area, even though 70 percent of area residents oppose this growth strategy.

I wonder why this PAC is getting involved in our local mayoral race and for a candidate who says he is opposed to expansion.

This smells wrong. I’m voting for Linda Gorton.

Bastin good Christian

I have attended Immanuel Baptist Church with Ronnie and Sandra Bastin for the past several years. As fellow congregants, we have seen the Bastins raise their family with their Christian values and true spirit of service.

In a time where we cannot seem to trust many elected officials due to their own personal behaviors, we’d be lucky to have a man with Bastin’s honesty and values as our next mayor. His moral code is one from God and he will treat everyone with respect.

Unfortunately, candidates like Bastin are a dying breed. Lexington, let’s not miss our opportunity to elect a very kind, decent and Christian man as our next mayor.

Dupont for Senate

Carolyn Dupont, candidate for the 22nd District state Senate seat, is firm in her support for Kentucky students, teachers, and the future of our Kentucky educational systems. After I dropped out of college to serve in the military, the G.I Bill was there to help me on my return. I came away with two bachelor’s degrees and a doctorate from public institutions, and went from college dropout to college professor. Truly, education pays.

Dupont will fight for education in Kentucky. Higher education has lost one-third of its state funding in the last 10 years and tuition has skyrocketed. Our current senator fails to support legislation strengthening public education. He has voted for charter schools and has consistently voted for public education cuts.

Higher education offers greater economic opportunities to Kentuckians, which in turn benefits everyone. We should be working to make college more affordable in our state, not less so.

Reynolds dedicated

I am pleased to endorse Jennifer Reynolds for Lexington’s 11th District Urban County Council seat. I have known Reynolds for several years through her involvement in the 11th District community. In particular, I have seen her dedication and commitment to the community as outreach director for the Bluegrass Youth Ballet and as a medical translator.

Reynolds has shown she has ability, passion, and leadership skills to bring a diverse community together and to effectively serve the district. I know she will serve on the council with the interests of all district residents at heart. Her tireless work ethic, positivity, enthusiasm and love of the community demonstrate that she is a candidate of service and integrity.

Keep Johnson on court

This letter is in support of Judge Rob Johnson’s candidacy to retain his seat on the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Johnson has been a staple of the Central Kentucky community since the late 1980s.

Before that, he attended Oldham County High School. I attended Oldham County as well, and graduated with Johnson’s sister. It was at Georgetown College that Johnson and I connected again and we both chose to settle in Georgetown and raise our respective families.

Johnson has always been one of the most attentive, intentional and humble men I have known. His diligence to the judgeship and continuous desire to become more knowledgeable are second to no one.

I know his fairness and ability to connect to the case before him are signs of humility and humanity. These are the traits that should occupy the office of judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Keep Gibbs on council

If you live in the 3rd District you’ve most likely already benefited from Jake Gibbs’ tenure as our 3rd District councilman. Whether it’s the speed tables, crosswalks or bike racks, Gibbs has shown that he is devoted to pedestrian and bike safety in and around our downtown. As a devoted urbanist, Gibbs understands that if we wish to maintain the Urban Service Boundary rather than spread into farmland, then we need to do a better job with how we develop the land we have now.

There’s always more to do and I believe Gibbs will serve the 3rd District best to see that it gets done. I will be voting for him Nov. 6.

McGrath has what it takes

Amy McGrath has proven herself. She went into the Marines to help her country. She will prove herself again in Congress. Ignore all of those nasty political ads. Her face is used, but the feelings belong to other people. We don’t need people like that in Congress. Vote for McGrath.

Shafer true leader

I support Sandy Shafer to represent the 11th District on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. She was a great supporter of the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department when I was health commissioner and is a family friend.

Shafer is a strong advocate for responsible redevelopment of Lexington’s Versailles Road corridor, a topic of great concern for residents of our district, as it constitutes one of the major entrances to our city and directly affects our quality of life. She has also been a strong promoter of public use of our parks and green spaces, as a founder of the Kentucky’s Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, a past president of Friends of the Parks, and an active supporter of other non-profit groups with similar goals.

Shafer has broad experience on the council from her 13 years of service (1994-2006) representing the 10th District. I know she will continue her legacy of positive and principled leadership.

Larson is a keeper

Jon Larson should continue to serve as our Fayette County judge-executive.

Larson’s resume is a book, not a piece of paper. He has been a practicing attorney for 45-plus years. He was a captain in the U.S. Army and is a mentor and legal representative for the Veterans Treatment Court. He is also a frequent speaker and participant in numerous veteran activities.

Larson has his bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s in business administration from George Washington University.

He is the former head of the county’s Human Rights Commission and Environmental Commission. He is active in community issues such as prison reform, the Lexington History Museum relocation, voting rights for the homeless and felons, sobriety and fatherhood advocacy and regional transportation planning.

He stays fit by playing basketball and tennis, while walking with his wife, Sari, throughout Lexington.

This story was originally published October 31, 2018 at 7:13 PM.