Letters to the Editor: Candidates respond to endorsements, voting advice, Roe v. Wade.

Larry Roberts responds to Herald-Leader endorsement

Serving as your County Attorney has been an honor. I have strived to be fair to all defendants and all victims, but always with an eye towards doing what is best for the people of Fayette County. Everyone wants a community that is safe for our families, children and neighbors. Sometimes that means making unpopular decisions. I speak for you. You can count on me to make tough decisions and to hold people accountable. Each year my office handles thousands of criminal charges against adults and juveniles. For every repeat offender, we see dozens of newcomers pass through our dockets who have never been in trouble. My office works hard to be sure everyone gets a fair shake. You may have seen some of my recent ads. I have expressed to you that I love my job and I do. I have worked tirelessly to make Lexington a safe and fair-minded city. I want what’s best for us and I am very proud of my record. We have built one of the best and most innovative County Attorney’s offices in the country and I hope that I have earned your trust to be re-elected. I would appreciate your vote.

Bill Farmer responds to Herald-Leader endorsements

I want the Urban County Council to get back to the basics of good governing. That means listening to citizens and responding to your concerns.

Getting back to basics means addressing real problems that effect real people in a meaningful way. It means focusing on safe roads to drive on, safe streets to walk on, and safe neighborhoods to live in.

Whether it’s listening to customers, as owner of one of Lexington’s oldest family-owned businesses, or listening to citizens as a former member of the Council, success is built on a foundation of open discussion and honest communication. Your voice deserves to be heard and your concerns deserve attention.

My goals as an At-Large Council Representative will be to make roads safer by lowering speed limits; to make streets safer by building and maintaining sidewalks and infrastructure; and to make neighborhoods safer by providing police officers, firefighters and other first responders with the support and tools they need to do their jobs.

Keeping Lexington safe has to be our number one priority. I have a record of support for additional police officers; for high friction surface treatments for safer roads; for improvements to sidewalks, parks and recreation facilities for safer neighborhoods; for pedestrian and bike safety projects; and for programs to address homelessness.

We have a strong, diverse, beautiful community. How we keep it that way depends on community leaders who have the ability to listen and the courage to act.

I ask for your support and your vote.

Thank you.

Linda Gorton

It might be a bit of a stretch to say that I owe my life to Mayor Linda Gorton, but I sure am thankful for her help, compassion and leadership.

After losing my Dad to COVID-19 in the fall of 2020, and my two battles with COVID in 2021 even after being vaccinated, I struggled financially. For over six months I tried to get rent relief. Just as the wolves were at the door and I was being forced to move, I reached out to the Mayor trying to get help. Through John and Maureen in her office, I got the help and direction I needed and didn’t have to move.

I am not a donor, nor do I work for her campaign, but I do sleep a little better at night knowing Mayor Gorton is at the helm and is willing to help. Her wonderful attitude, work ethic and willingness to go the extra mile for her constituents has permeated the mayor’s office and local government. As we cast our ballots May 17, I hope Lexingtonians will reelect Mayor Linda Gorton. She really helped me, for which I am eternally grateful.

Hank Haynes, Lexington

Shannon Brooks

This Election Day offers us an opportunity to make a real difference. No rhetoric or political smoke, this is about a district judge seat, an amazing candidate, and a fresh new approach to rehabilitation. Shannon Brooks has spent her entire legal career as a Fayette County public defender. Her interests have never been anything other than the best interests of her clients.

What attracted me to Shannon is her tendency to rehabilitate young offenders NOT thru incarceration, but transformation via education and new resources. As a professional musician, I first met Shannon Brooks, a number of times actually, as a result of her seemingly endless support for musicians, the arts in general, and the venues which support them. When I first heard Brooks was a candidate for Fayette County District Judge, I jumped on the Bandwagon in support of her. So should YOU!

Bob Bryant, Lexington

Lindsey Burke

My family and I are writing to raise support for our favorite neighbor — future State Representative Lindsey Burke. She is a true example of a perfect neighbor; from borrowing tools to lending an ear to sharing advice to helping our children learn about different plants in the garden. She is filled with such positivity it’s impossible not to be optimistic in her presence. She is exactly what Kentucky needs in order to grow. The least our family can do is share our amazing neighbor with Kentucky! So remember on May 17 to join our family and vote for Lindsey Burke and the future of Kentucky!

Nell Isaacs, Lexington

Chad Aull

Voters in the 79th District have the opportunity to elect Chad Aull, a promising new leader, as their State Representative.

I met Chad eight years ago on the street where I live in the Lansdowne neighborhood to which Chad, his wife, Marissa, and her parents had recently moved. From our hour-long initial conversation has grown what will be a lasting friendship. Over the years I have witnessed Chad’s boundless enthusiasm for his role has husband, father, neighborhood association president, employee, and now candidate. Chad is a genuinely sincere, caring person, which pretty much sums up the reason he has received the support and endorsement of an impressive list of educators, labor unions, health-care practitioners, farmers, and other elected officials. He will be a strong voice for his constituents as well as all citizens of Kentucky. I urge you to join me Tuesday, May 17, and vote for Chad Aull.

Virginia K. Smith, Lexington

Pro-Life, Pro-Gun

Perhaps we should explain the term oxymoron to Republican politicians. They seem confused. Dr. Donald Douglas claims he is “pro-life,” and yet brags about having an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). I always thought doctors took an oath to protect life. The NRA is not in business to protect life so why would he think bragging about an A+ rating would win votes for him. And U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers campaign ad says he is pro-life and pro-gun. Make up your mind, Hal. You cannot be both. You are either pro-life or pro-gun.

There is too much hypocrisy in the Republican party these days.

Catherine Ferguson, Lexington

Medical decision

A GOP state Senator was quoted this week praising the pending Supreme Court decision on abortion by stating the issue would be decided “in the State House where it belongs.” No, Senator, the decision doesn’t belong in any government entity, it belongs in a woman’s doctor’s office.

Howard Stovall, Lexington

Wanted children

What madness are we entering as a country? For almost 50 years, women in the U.S. have been able to make their own decisions about when to become mothers. If too old, too young, or if for other reasons they couldn’t raise a child (or another child), women could, in consultation with a doctor, end an accidental pregnancy. Almost all of us know or are someone who has been in that situation, despite best efforts with birth control. Now, fueled by imaginary scenes of women using repeated late-term abortions as birth control and of non-existent doctors ready to “kill” babies close to term, our country is preparing to deny abortion as a crucial aide in family planning. Do we really want more unwanted babies? Have we forgotten the damage to women’s lives from unwanted pregnancies and forced childbirth? Have we forgotten the desperate women who attempted do-it-yourself abortions and died? We must use common sense. We can distinguish between a group of cells and a fully developed being with limbs and vital functions. Please tell elected officials not to take a step backward, harming women and families, but to work instead to ensure every child is a wanted child.

Sue Churchill, Versailles

Medical Privacy

I had the opportunity to listen to a voter tell me in a very huffy voice that my candidate will NOT get a vote from anyone in her household. (Unfortunately her 20-yr old daughter wasn’t available.) It seems that my candidate had the nerve to stand on her doorstep and tell her that he was pro-choice! Good for him! It takes courage to run as a Democrat in KY, and this is one of those times it takes a particular kind of courage.

Since privacy seems to have now been thrown out of the window, thanks to the Supreme Court’s leaked opinion on Roe v. Wade, I strongly feel that we women should ask “pro-life” men if they have ever had unprotected sex with someone other than their spouses. And don’t let them wiggle out of giving us an answer.

And the follow-up question would be, “And how did that work out? Did you make plans to support any child that might result? Be specific.”

Esther Murphy, Lexington