Why I’m Running

When I chose Lexington as my home more than 35 years ago, I told my somewhat surprised friends and family in New England that this city, and this state, have the makings of an earthly paradise. It sounds a bit extreme, even today, but if anything, my decades in Lexington have made me more optimistic and more hopeful. Lexington has always seemed to me a wonderful place with the power to become one of the world’s great cities.

Imagine what we can do if we fulfill our potential. Imagine a Lexington that grows much of its own food and feeds all our people well. Imagine a Lexington that protects our priceless land, air, and water for those who come after us. Imagine a Lexington with a system of parks whose programs and facilities match in quality the beautiful rural landscape.

Imagine a Lexington that houses our people in decent, affordable, environmentally friendly, attractive homes along well-maintained streets, in suburbs and neighborhoods, and on farms. Imagine a Lexington with a thriving economy based heavily on local entrepreneurship, job development, and sustainable practices.

Now imagine the leadership necessary to make the hard choices that lead to such a future.

I am running for an at-large seat on Urban County Council to provide that leadership. Vision, meaningful public engagement, wise choices, and significant action have been hallmarks of my professional and civic life in this community.

For example, presently I serve our community in these ways:

• Board member, Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association
• Gardener and volunteer coordinator, London Ferrell Community Garden and neighborhood orchard
• Board member, LexTran
• Member of the Urban County Government Local Climate Action Plan Team.

In the past I have worked toward positive policies for Lexington and Fayette County by serving as Vice-Chair of the Urban County Planning Commission and by facilitating successful community engagement and decision-making projects like our schools’ 2020 Vision project and local government’s Rural Land Management Plan.

To win the election, and to serve well, I need your help and support. Kay for Council will again work in ways that encourage and strengthen the best aspects of our community. Please join us as we imagine our city’s greatness and choose the steps that will lead us to achieve it.

Photo Credits: (1) Geoff Maddock; (2) Leslie Guttman; (8) Geoff Maddock. Thank you, Geoff and Leslie!