We Did It!

We did it!

When you elected me to the City Council in 2005, we had the following goals together:

  1. See the full funding and “unstoppable” construction of the Clays Mill Rd project
  2. Substantial increase to road construction and resurfacing in all Lexington but especially 9th Dist
  3. Improvements to ALL 9th District Parks and greater funding for all City Parks (New Money?)
  4. Support Public Safety.  Specifically the men and women of Fire, Police and Corrections
  5. Increase the physical health of citizens in the District and the City
  6. Work to support any changes that benefit downtown Lexington

Today, we have completed all of those goals and more!

1.  First phase (from Twain Ridge to New Circle) construction fully funded.  Nearly $7 million of new construction money. Broke ground after 30+ yrs in Feb 2011. Shortened the construction length from 3 yrs to 2 yrs.

2.  I authored the motions that have led to $18 million of new local money for paving of Lexington roads.  Worked with Frankfort to bring an additional $30 million of State and Federal money to Lexington for road construction and resurfacing.

3.  Moved $2.5+ million into 9th District Parks alone (the majority of which is outside of LFUCG General Fund dollars) and activated 100+ acres of new park land!

Speaking of parks:  $2 million into Shillito Park (activated 60+ new recreational acres)

  • 2.25 mile Healthway Trail
  • Miracle league Baseball Field
  • New baseball fields and scoreboards for Cal Ripken League
  • Field Improvements and new scoreboard for Babe Ruth League
  • Resurfaced Tennis Complex
  • Lacrosse League space
  • New soccer/ lacrosse field development
  • Improvements to Disc Golf course

Wellington Park (activated 38 new acres)

  • 1.5 mile Healthway Trail
  • 8 acre dog park
  • City/ regions’ 1st Sensory Garden
  • Native Grass plantings
  • Rain Gardens

Old Higbee Mill Park (activated 8 new acres of park land)

  • .5 mile Healthway trail

Southpoint Park (activated 8 new acres of park land)

  • .5 mile Healthway Trail

Stonewall Park

  • New Healthway Trail

Waverly Park

  • New Playground Equipment

Citywide Parks

  • Voted to activate 10+ acres of new Park land with the Hisle Property
  • Voted to create the Parks Parity Plan (bring all city park playgrounds into parity with equipment and access)

Co-Creator of The Legacy Trail

  • Raised $15+ million (Public and Private) to build 9 mile trail from downtown to the Horse Park
  • This project just won “The Best Trail in KY”
  • Effectively creating a 9 mile “linear” park for the city

4.  Continually voted to support all Public Safety through salaries, and equipment.

5.  Oversaw and championed the transformation of Lexington’s Activity Culture through:

  •  Legacy Trail
  • 2S (Second Sunday)
  • Downtown Streetscape
  • Downtown Master Plan

6.  Support and development for programs/activities benefiting our downtown including:

  • Legacy Trail tying downtown to Horse Park
  • 2S
  • Downtown Master Plan
  • WEG Downtown Activities
  • Main Street/ S. Lime road construction

It has been a privilege to represent you in City Council, and today I announce I will not be seeking a 5th term.

When I joined the LFUCG City Council in 2005 I had a goals list and as I have been reviewing that list it became apparent that everything I had placed on that list had been met or exceeded.  There were some lofty goals and some practical goals and each had been met.  I have tirelessly championed the issues of my district first followed by issues facing the city as a whole, such as greater funding for infrastructure like road paving and construction, new money for park improvements, more opportunities for physical activity for people of all abilities, and strong support for public safety so citizens and neighborhoods are as safe as possible.

Those issues are the same ones I championed citywide with projects like the Legacy Trail, improving the downtown streetscape, 2nd Sunday and increased funding for public safety, roads and parks.

In working on those issues I have had the unique opportunity to build relationships statewide and nationally to position Lexington as a catalyst and leader in many areas.  It has been through this statewide and national work that I began to see how I might better serve my city in the future.

As we approach the most difficult budget in Lexington’s history I have been continually struck by just how many of our challenges are not created by the city but rather are downstream issues forced upon us by Frankfort and Washington, DC, including unaddressed pension issues, the lack of local options for revenue generation and unfunded mandates.

Over my almost 8 years of serving on the City Council, Lexington has begun to make a serious transition from being a follower to seeking opportunities to be a true leader for Kentucky and the nation.

With all that we have accomplished as a council and with the nation’s spotlight on Lexington in the areas of health and wellness as it relates to obesity and inactivity, especially in our children, it is time for me to apply the same energy and focus I have had on our city and use that passion to champion the challenges we have in the Commonwealth and nation.

I will continue to represent you through the end of December and my office is always open to you.  Again, thank you.  It has been an honor to serve the 9th District and the City of Lexington.  I look forward to the great events and accomplishments still ahead of us together.