Some Fayette candidates have refused to do League of Women Voters public forums | Opinion

Candidate forums

The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan political organization with a 103-year old tradition of encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens at all levels of government. For many years the LWV of Lexington has hosted non-partisan forums that enable voters to question candidates and hear their views before casting their ballots. In the past, we held candidate forums at the Lexington Public Library, but in recent years the forums have been conducted virtually, which has been popular with voters.

Our current nonpartisan policy prevents us from holding a forum with only one candidate. Here is how candidates running for election on November 7 have responded to our forum invitation:

Special Election, 93rd District:

Adrielle Camuel - Willing to participate

Kyle Whalen - Declined to participate

School Board, District 1

Marilyn Clark - Willing to participate

Janet Greene - No response after multiple outreach attempts

Fayette County Clerk:

Susan Lamb - Willing to participate

Dawne Perkins - No response after multiple attempts

We firmly believe that the success of our democracy relies on an informed electorate. Therefore, we urge candidates running for office in future elections to participate in our community forums for the benefit of voters. We also encourage voters to use our website – Vote411 (www.vote411.org) - to access general voting information and to learn about candidates.

LWV of Lexington is pleased to support the gubernatorial debate between Andy Beshear and Daniel Cameron. This debate will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24. The debate will broadcast on WKYT, and stream on WKYT.com. We are gathering questions for the candidates and encourage voters to submit their questions by Oct. 20 via our website, lwvlex.org.

Our collective participation and engagement–as well as that of our candidates–is vital to sustain democracy. We look forward to a robust and thoughtful discussion on Oct. 24– and in the future.

The Board of the League of Women Voters of Lexington

Mourner’s Kaddish

If Rabbi Shlomo Litvin’s Herald-Leader piece recently was to achieve nothing more than to deny the existence of Palestine and to brand as antisemitic those who would acknowledge Palestine and Palestinians, then he succeeded. The world’s people can grieve Israelis and Palestinians by reciting “The Mourner’s Kaddish:

Magnified and sanctified is the great name of God throughout the world, which was created according to Divine will. May the rule of peace be established speedily in our time, unto us and unto the entire household of Israel. And let us say: Amen.

May God’s great name be praised throughout all eternity. Glorified and celebrated, lauded and praised, acclaimed and honored, extolled and exalted ever be the name of thy Holy One, far beyond all song and psalm, beyond all hymns of glory which mortals can offer. And let us say: Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, with life’s goodness for us and for all thy people Israel. And let us say: Amen.

May the One who brings peace to the universe bring peace to us and to all the people Israel. And let us say: Amen.

My challenge to Rabbi Litvin: Please describe Palestine on Oct. 6, 2023.

Todd Kelly, Lexington

Politically dumb

As Hamas slaughters hundreds and repeats its historic call for Israel’s obliteration, we cast an eye towards an open border Joe Biden has ignored since he took office. It will come back to haunt us. Trump Haters cannot deny we were safer when he was president. No mumbling, no stumbling, no indecision. Terrorists and Communist madmen are now emboldened.

But many 20-something beer swigging Joes dropping F-bombs at University of Kentucky football games, young people hypnotized by TikTok and RuPaul, and those now blowing their savings on sports betting apps really don’t care: we have become a politically dumbed down society and it shows. The Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights seem to have become just phrases and words. It’s scary. I pray this nation wakes up to what is going on. And others should start to pray also - not to climate change false prophets or social justice merchants … just to God.

John Mackey, Lexington

Careful voting

Former President Donald Trump - the con artist, liar, cult leader and alleged criminal running for president again - should have been executed for Treason after Jan. 6. These types have the potential to destroy democracy and convert the USA to a third world country with a dictator, where the people have no human rights. Kind of like China or North Korea.

Be careful how you vote, especially here in Kentucky this year.

Robert Ray Lillie, Georgetown

Council seating

With all the problems facing us here in U.S. and around the world, recently I woke up to read about the “problem” with the City Council seating arrangement. Whatever was happening elsewhere, I could always count on the Council to be non-partisan and sensible. I almost can’t believe that this is even true. What an embarrassment!

Simone Salomon, Lexington

Band direction

It’s time to make a change at Kroger Field. I don’t mean UK’s passing game (although that would be nice). No, I mean it’s time for the University of Kentucky’s Wildcat Marching Band to face the other sideline for their halftime performance.

Currently, the band performs facing sections 25, 26, and 27. These sections are a ghost town at halftime, as most of these ticketholders retreat presumably to the exclusive enclosed loge known as the Paddock for what I can only assume are primo food and drink. The result is the appearance of the band playing to an empty stadium, a pitiful sight. Folks on the opposite side of the field can barely hear the music. Let the band face the other way, where there are plenty of fans in their seats who would love to cheer them on and hear them play.

Clare Healy, Bellevue

Compiled by Liz Carey