October 8, 2024 12:58pm

2024 Metro Council Candidate Survey Results

Policy Distilled

Greater Louisville Inc. is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse or support candidates running for office at any level. However, with many important local races coming up, we compiled a short survey to help educate our members on where each candidate stands on business-related priorities. Although a number of races were decided during May’s primary election, all candidates running for Metro Council this year (even numbered districts) were given the opportunity to respond to these questions. The answers to each question are published verbatim as received from the candidate. Answers are organized numerically by district. Find your district here.

DISTRICT 2:

Barbara Shanklin is running unopposed in the general election.

Question 1: Public Safety – Public safety is a very important issue for the business community. How will you work with LMPD to improve officer retention and attraction while also increasing accountability and trust with the communities they serve?

Barbara Shanklin: I intend to continue to vote to fully fund LMPD—assuming Chief Humphrey’s continued moves toward accountability in his Department. I often hear calls from constituents desiring more police and police involvement in proactively protecting our community’s homes and businesses and I echo this support—I meet at least every month with LMPD, and the community is invited to join us every time, in an attempt to facilitate communication and increase a sense of community that hopefully inspires our officers to stay in this area and encourage others to join.

Question 2: Business Regulations – A predictable and flexible regulatory environment allows businesses to grow and thrive. How will you consider proposed legislation to ensure that the impact on the business community is not overly burdensome and comes with clear and accessible guidelines?

Barbara Shanklin: I will interface with both public and private experts in the field, as well as our JCAO, before considering any piece of regulatory legislation. I support common-sense regulation that protects both our private citizens, as well as the business that they patronize, and I will continue with this stance moving forward.

Question 3: Economic Development – What changes will you support to ensure that our region’s economic development efforts are well-positioned for our city to grow and compete with peer cities?

Barbara Shanklin: I support economic development that makes sense within the scope of the neighborhood, taking into account its effect on said community and surrounding neighborhoods. Building with a strategic plan in mind is integral to Louisville being able to compete with peer cities.

Question 4: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Investment and inclusive growth in historically marginalized communities are critical for progress and the long-term success of Louisville. What policies and investments will you support to improve equity in our community?

Barbara Shanklin: I support Metro reaching out to Black/minority owned businesses in an effort to grant them access to being Metro contractors. One big problem my office faces is being able to have fully funded projects completed in a reasonable amount of time. I believe that allowing for more contractors to work with the City, that we could tackle some of this timeline issue when it comes to projects—and we will also be able to do business with oft-underrepresented local businesses. A win-win in my book!

Question 5: Downtown Revitalization – The recovery and continued growth in Downtown Louisville is essential for the success of the entire city and the economic impacts of downtown affect every District. What innovations should the city and business community utilize to bring in a new era of urban core revitalization?

Barbara Shanklin: The city should look into attracting modern businesses to occupy and operate out of some of the existing structures in our downtown area—retrofitting these buildings is expensive, but leaving existing buildings to rot is not the answer either—I will support the city encouraging businesses that intend to try and utilize existing infrastructure.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Barbara Shanklin: I support, and will continue to support, the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless. I recently had Director Harris in my committee, and support her commitment to helping our city’s unhoused population, especially during extreme and adverse weather conditions.

Question 7: Infrastructure Investment – Louisville Metro continues to see an increased need for spending on local infrastructure, including local roads, technology, and public transportation. How will you prioritize spending that ensures that Louisville’s roads and technology infrastructure can be maintained, and that public transportation can be made more efficient and accessible?

Barbara Shanklin: I totally support investment in our city’s infrastructure, and in fact, I spend a sizable amount of my office’s discretionary funding every year on Public Works infrastructure projects in my District. The problem, as I mentioned before, often comes at the point of actually “doing” the work, which happens through contractors with the city. I support the city partnering with more contractors (especially minority-owned businesses!) in an effort to speed up infrastructure projects around the city.

Question 8: Land Development & Housing – Louisville’s development community has expressed the need for greater flexibility and incentives to improve the quality of life, revitalize and spur investment in underdeveloped areas, and meet the city’s demand for increased housing stock. What changes in the Land Development Code will you support to provide more flexibility for development that will drive economic growth and employment?

Barbara Shanklin: I will continue to support common-sense legislation regarding development in our communities. I am pro-development, as long as the development makes sense for the community that it’s in.

Question 9: Workforce Development – Having a thriving workforce is critical to attracting and retaining new businesses and companies to our region. What policies will you support to address labor shortages and remove workforce barriers, such as access to child care and training opportunities, in the short-term and long-term?

Barbara Shanklin: I support access to childcare and training opportunities, and will continue to support legislation on this local level that supports both of these essential facets to attracting a high-talent workforce.

Question 10: Talent Attraction – The workforce shortage continues to be a prevailing issue in Louisville and peer cities across the nation. What tactics and policies do you think are necessary for Louisville to recruit and retain top talent within our community?

Barbara Shanklin: Louisville needs to be a city of economic opportunity, accountability, and stability in order to attract top talent in our workforce. I will continue to support legislation that I feel promotes these essential ideas.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Barbara Shanklin: I will continue to support legislation that reflects my values and utilize my discretionary funding to support projects that benefit my communities, both today and well into the future.

DISTRICT 4

Ken Herndon is running unopposed in the general election.

Ken Herndon: Public Safety in Louisville is on everyone’s mind and the Department of Justice Report on LMPD is painful to read. Having worked hand-in-hand with local law enforcement for 25 years in my role at the Louisville Downtown Partnership, I know, in detail, the job, its demands and how to improve on-the-ground relationships with the public.  Being the only candidate in the race who has personally overseen an on-street security staff, I have a special perspective that will guide me in the pursuit of public policy to bring about meaningful, productive change.

Ken Herndon: I have heard from local businesses, and many outside our community, that Louisville has a reputation for a frustrating bureaucracy.  Some outside of Louisville have decided not to do business here because of it.  Despite dozens of productive personal relationships with Metro employees, as a leader in three different neighborhood organizations and in my role Downtown, I have personally seen the inconsistencies in rules and their application that lead to that frustration.  I will work to correct that legislatively with my Council colleagues and in practice with those at various Metro agencies with which I have long worked.

Ken Herndon: We can compete more effectively if we are bolder.  We have a history of risk aversion that has not served us well.  Too often, we begin with Plan B, compromise to Plan C then wonder why Plan A cities eat our lunch.  Portland, Oregon installed their first light rail line in the mid-seventies while in a terrible recession.  They were bold when they were hurting not after it became safe to do so.  We should do the same.  I don’t want to be Portland or Nashville or Charlotte. I want us to be the best, boldest Louisville we can be.

Ken Herndon: The 4th District is the most demographically and economically diverse in the city.  I want to help make it a laboratory for creative, inclusive growth which can only happen by engaging the residents from the beginning, not after the fact, as so often happens. Infill affordable housing, reclamation of brownfields on existing infrastructure and improved transportation routes rather than unbridled sprawl will solidify our core and provide the basis for a healthier community for all.

Ken Herndon: Our Class A buildings must not be allowed to fail. If so, they will become cance cells that will metastasize and infect downward to Class Bs, small businesses and outward to adjacent neighborhoods. We should challenge our major corporate and institutional partners to put their names on buildings Downtown by moving corporate staff, divisions and school headquarters to the CBD as a sign of public commitment to the most important economic square mile in the State.  And, if necessary, we must not be afraid to thoughtfully commit targeted public funds to change the trajectory of recent trends.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Ken Herndon: In my 25 years of working with multiple social service agencies, it is clear that the talent and skills to address these needs are present but the funding is not.  In addition to local government, major corporate partners must also be part of the solution as their business success depends upon a healthy environment for all.  Such a fund was recently proposed to corporate leaders.  I would challenge them to begin by adding up what they spend annually on suites at football and basketball games and make that amount a minimum annual commitment to this effort.

Ken Herndon: The increase in need is exacerbated by continuing to build new while the old is allowed to deteriorate.  The infrastructure at the center of the city, the 4th District, should be properly cared for before new infrastructure is built.  The center of the city is used by all and it should be cared for appropriately.  This will require, with roads in particular, a healthy partnership with the State as many roads are State-owned.  I will work with the Mayor and our State Legislative Delegation to acquire the necessary funds and attention needed to address these issues.

Ken Herndon: The recent discussion of mid-level housing is a good start.  I am not opposed to the use of public funds (grants, loans, forgivable loans, TIFs, etc) to incentivize development but they need to check several boxes: 1) is it in a location or part of town that needs the assistance, 2) will the assisted project have clear overflow economic effects, 3) publicly-funded assistance should not undermine already struggling properties such as CBD Class A buildings and 4) in the case of housing, there should be a minimum of 10% workforce housing in all projects in all parts of Metro Louisville.

Ken Herndon: We should encourage large local employers to model education assistance programs after those at UPS to help build a more educated workforce while providing well-paying jobs.  From other perspectives, we must encourage all of our education institutions, both public and private (including JCPS), trade schools and unions to create programs or further develop degrees that are specific to the needs of employers already here so that we help them grow while seeking new companies to move here.

Ken Herndon: Young professionals prefer urban experiences.  The 4th District is such a place and its health and development should be a priority – even for those of my colleagues who represent outlying Districts.  Many of their constituents already make up a considerable percentage of the 100,000 people who work or do business in our communities’ core.  And, the taxes generated by an ever healthier center city will benefit all of Metro Louisville.  I will tap my 25 years of experience and knowledge of what the center city needs and apply it in collaboration with my Council colleagues and the Mayor.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Ken Herndon: I will begin with a foundation of commitment and service.  If elected, I will make what is a part-time job my full-time commitment. The 4th District, unique among the 26, needs it and deserves it.  In order to create and continue an ongoing partnership with my constituents, my office will respond to all emails and phone inquiries within two business days – even if I don’t have the answer.  And, as I stated earlier, I will pledge to encourage my fellow elected officials, neighbors and partners to always be bolder.  That’s how we will win.

DISTRICT 6

No response was received from JP Lyninger. He is running unopposed in the general election.

DISTRICT 8

Ben Reno-Weber is running unopposed in the general election.

Question 1: Public Safety – Public safety is a very important issue for the business community. How will you work with LMPD to improve officer retention and attraction while also increasing accountability and trust with the communities they serve?

Ben Reno-Weber: The first thing we need to do to improve officer retention and attraction is to stop having police officers acting as social workers. In my first year, I worked closely with the Mayor’s office to expand the 911 deflection program and expand our crisis response resources as a city. Secondly we need equitable pay relative to suburban forces. Third, we should fully implement the transparency recommendations in the consent decree. Fourth, I will use the office to support police in non-traditional ways – like the fitbit program, providing snacks when they have special details, and being personally present with them.

Question 2: Business Regulations – A predictable and flexible regulatory environment allows businesses to grow and thrive. How will you consider proposed legislation to ensure that the impact on the business community is not overly burdensome and comes with clear and accessible guidelines?

Ben Reno-Weber: We need to revisit the overall purpose of some of our regulations and then connect with the citizens and business owners to understand what is relevant and what can be streamlined with technology. A good example is our land development code and zoning process. In the last year, I’ve been working closely with developers, community members, and Metro to create a faster, smoother, and more inclusive process for both zoning changes and construction permitting that creates broader input earlier when changes can be made, brings together all the stakeholders to create a clear timeline and process, and reduces unnecessary delays.

Ben Reno-Weber: We have a good set of strategies and many good programs to support economic development. We have strong clusters that have the potential to continue to grow. We need to continue to invest in human capital through talent attraction, education, and removing barriers to work. We also need to be supporting a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem and a strong downtown. We need to make it easy for anyone in our community to start and scale a businesses, through regulatory simplification and automation because the best growth is local growth.

Question 4: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Investment and inclusive growth in historically marginalized communities are critical for progress and the long-term success of Louisville. What policies and investments will you support to improve equity in our community?

Ben Reno-Weber: Investment and inclusive growth in historically marginalized communities are critical for progress and the long-term success of Louisville. What policies and investments will you support to improve equity in our community? From a business perspective, you are always looking for undervalued and underappreciated assets that can lead to disproportionate return on investment. Our historically marginalized communities and neighborhoods are that kind of asset, and we need to treat them as such.

Question 5: Downtown Revitalization – The recovery and continued growth in Downtown Louisville is essential for the success of the entire city and the economic impacts of downtown affect every District. What innovations should the city and business community utilize to bring in a new era of urban core revitalization?

Ben Reno-Weber: The recovery and continued growth in Downtown Louisville is essential for the success of the entire city and the economic impacts of downtown affect every District. What innovations should the city and business community utilize to bring in a new era of urban core revitalization? There is so much we can do to make downtown a safe and welcoming place to live, work and play. We should be focused on starting with housing that meets the needs of our educational and medical infrastructure downtown, like JCTC, the UofL Health Sciences campus, and LouMed.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the causes of homelessness in our community?

Ben Reno-Weber: We need to address the multifaceted issues of homelessness and housing as the complex and interconnected issue that it is. For those facing temporary crisis, we need to invest in programs to keep them from being evicted for a short-term issue. For those working, but on the bubble of poverty, we need supportive programs that support them in removing the barriers to jobs that enable them to afford stable housing. For those struggling with mental health or substance use issues, we need supportive services and low-barrier supportive housing. Overall we need more housing and a public health approach to homelessness.

Ben Reno-Weber: Our infrastructure spending should focus on two priorities: removing the barriers to workforce participation, like transit, and making this city an amazing place to live work and play, by maximizing our public spaces. Everything else will flow from that.

Ben Reno-Weber: In the last year, I’ve been working closely with developers, community members, and Metro to create a faster, smoother, and more inclusive process for both zoning changes and construction permitting that creates broader input earlier when changes can be made, brings together all the stakeholders to create a clear timeline and process, and reduces unnecessary delays.

Question 9: Workforce Development – _Having a thriving workforce is critical to attracting and retaining new businesses and companies to our region. What policies will you support to address labor shortages and remove workforce barriers, such as access to child care and training opportunities, in the short-term and long-term?

Ben Reno-Weber: Louisville should be the epi-center of innovation around the “essential worker.” We need to have a systematic approach to barriers to work that stacks solutions, rather than trying to massive and unrealistic “moon-shots.” We need to connect the places that people work to places they can afford to live with those jobs, then create career pathways that allow them to easily upskill. We need a welcoming infrastructure for immigrants connecting them immediately to the roles employers struggle to hire. We need to build a system of stackable credentials in our most pressing skill gaps, and invest in a childcare infrastructure.

Question 10: Talent Attraction: The workforce shortage continues to be a prevailing issue in Louisville and peer cities across the nation. What tactics and policies do you think are necessary for Louisville to recruit and retain top talent within our community?

Ben Reno-Weber: Give Christine all the money. Let her attract talent.

Question 11: Top Priorities: Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities.

Ben Reno-Weber: In my first year, I: Successfully pushed for a major investment in expanding front-line services by building a Medicaid billing infrastructure – efforts that we the lead-off to the Mayor’s most recent budget address, Successfully recrafted our short-term rental ordinance to protect owner property rights and tourism while keeping predatory investors from artificially increasing housing prices and turning our neighborhoods into hotel districts, Pushed for innovative solutions to improve government services, leveraging technology.

DISTRICT 10

No response was received from Josie Raymond. She is running unopposed in the general election.

DISTRICT 12

Incumbent Rick Blackwell is facing Jonathan Joseph in the general election.

Rick Blackwell: Public safety is a critical responsibility for Metro Government because everything else depends on it to succeed. As Budget Chair, I supported LMPD requests aimed at better attraction and retention including the new Wellness Center, innovative recruitment approaches, and more lucrative contracts. I have sponsored legislation to clarify concerns such as the Pedestrian Safety Ordinance and the changes to our local ABC laws. I support holding officers accountable for their actions and celebrating those who do the right thing. The DOJ consent decree will hold us all accountable for ensuring our police department is an ever-improving force.
Jonathan Joseph: One of the greatest resources (and individuals) we have within our community is our police force. Their job becomes more attractive and I believe retention will take a positive trajectory when our force knows that they are backed by metro council and leadership – when LMPD knows that they are supported by their community and government. We also need to ensure that officers have resources and opportunities to outreach with citizens (whether it be at events such as local festivals, sporting events, etc.) where the average citizen has the ability to interact with local officers and vice versa in non-emergency situations.

Rick Blackwell: I have been a pro-business councilperson since my initial campaign. When preparing new legislation, it extremely important to hear all voices who may be influenced by the change. I recently proposed and passed an ordinance to change the powers of our local ABC to respond more efficiently to emergencies in Louisville. The goal was safety but many in the business community were concerned about vagueness of some parts. We met a few times and were able to agree on changes to some of the language- win/win. I support reviewing our processes to make them clearer and the results more equitable.
Jonathan Joseph: When I see “regulation”, I think about the often-unnecessary weight that is added on to a business and individual. While there are regulations that are in place for the good of the community, there are many that are nothing more than bureaucracy/government overreach. The role and job of government is to help the people that we work for or to get out of their way. We as a metro council must genuinely listen to our business owners and other stakeholders to ensure regulations that are being placed are beneficial, needed, and necessary and not overbearing, pointless, or burdensome.

Rick Blackwell: I believe a healthy and vibrant Louisville must continue to attract new and successful businesses throughout all of the metro. I have supported TIFs and other incentives to encourage major investments. I support rewarding businesses who make taking care of their employees with good compensation packages. I also support public-private partnerships such as the Colonial Gardens investment in South Louisville. We must continue to work on creating a more safe and secure Louisville with great amenities to attract investment.
Jonathan Joseph: While we are elected to represent our own districts, we are also a body that must look out for the good of Louisville as a whole. This means investing in areas and developments that will benefit our city as a whole and ensure that we are competing with alike cities. Within the twelfth district, this may look like investing in places such as Dixie Highway where thousands upon tens of thousands of vehicles travel each day. I am pro-growth and desire for our community members to have options where they can keep their dollars within the district.

Rick Blackwell: One of the key takeaways from visiting peer cities on GLIDE trips is the importance of being intentional in investing in all areas of town. We need to acknowledge that the market does not operate in the same manner in all parts of town, and we need to continue to invest and reward investment in West and Southwest/South Louisville. Public private partnerships, tax incentives, and targeted investments in infrastructure all contribute to making areas more appealing to investors and are policies that I support.
Jonathan Joseph: There are communities inside and outside the twelfth district that need the attention – both physical and financial – of our metro council. As a public-school teacher, I see each day the importance of ensuring that we are giving our youth opportunities to chase their unique dreams. An area that I desire to place resources in when discussing equity is the youth. This may look like investing in areas such as community centers – for district twelve, that could look like revitalizing resources like the Sylvania Community Center. Investing in equitable opportunities for our youth has the chance to make generational impacts.

Rick Blackwell:While I strongly support investment in Southwest/South Louisville I do not support parochialism that refuses to see the importance of a strong downtown. It is critical to have a thriving Downtown Louisville. Metro Government and the business community need to work collaboratively to revitalize downtown. Part of the solution is to capitalize on our strengths such as the partnership that created and is working to implement the LOUMED district. We also need more housing of all types downtown and I support public-private partnerships that work to repurpose buildings that are empty or near empty because of the changing business landscape.
Jonathan Joseph: When visitors from out of state/county come to Louisville, they often spend much of their time and resources in the downtown area. Funding areas such as creating new restaurants, adding on to Fourth Street Live, investing in areas on the outskirts of the downtown area such as Nulu only makes sense. When traveling, individuals are always looking for unique experiences whether it be shopping at small businesses, boutiques, etc. to entertainment to new restaurants they very well not have at their home. I want a downtown that visitors will flock to and residents of our city are proud of.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Rick Blackwell: Obviously, there are no easy answers for addressing the complexity of homelessness. I believe in, and I have supported, increased funding for affordable housing. But housing alone does not solve the issue. We need to offer wrap around services to address the root causes of homelessness or we will continue to see the numbers rise. I supported the pilot program and the continued funding for Goodwill’s Another Way program based on offering homeless individuals jobs and connecting them to services they may need.
Jonathan Joseph: Homelessness is certainly an issue that is growing within our district, but also the entire city. This is not a subject that we can ignore and hope it fixes itself. We have to look for sound solutions for those within this community. I am grateful for organizations like Exodus Family Ministries and numerous churches and their ministries in the Southend who assist the homeless communities and are intentional about investing resources and their missions into helping the homeless community. As councilman, I would desire to walk alongside programs, organizations, churches, etc. that are being intentional with our homeless community.

Rick Blackwell: There will never be enough government money to meet every want in the community but I believe we must invest in maintaining our infrastructure. I have supported increases in spending for paving and sidewalk repair. I supported investments in Wi-Fi-access including our parks and had one of the first free Wi-Fi parks at Riverview Park. I spearheaded the Dixie Improvement Project which utilized the latest technology to synchronize traffic lights and the first Bus Rapid Transit line in Louisville.
Jonathan Joseph: We must invest in our roads, infrastructure, technology, and public transportation around the city to ensure that we are keeping up to the standard that our citizens expect and deserve. That may look like investing more in roads within the twelfth district that have been ignored for a long period of time, placing speed humps on straight roads in neighborhoods with young children that individuals are notorious for speeding on, and paving and blacktop projects that households have shared with me that were started by companies only to never come back and finish the job.

Rick Blackwell: Metro Council currently has an ad-hoc committee addressing community needs and proposals for making it easier to create different types of housing throughout the community. I support having housing options at different levels in all council districts. I support changing the code to allow for more middle housing options which can provide more housing stock and more appropriate transition into single family neighborhoods. I believe it is a mistake to completely abandon rehabbing or creating modest priced single family homes so I support incentives for those investments as well.
Jonathan Joseph: I am a pro-growth individual and candidate. Over the last several years, we have seen numerous multi-level (mostly three stories) apartments being built within the twelfth district. I am interested in developments that are a balance (such as patio homes/one level housing communities) to what has already been built within our community. Lastly, it is common sense to me that we should have zoning meetings during evenings in communities that are being impacted without the need for a long and tedious signed petition rather than having zoning meetings during the middle of the day and downtown.

Rick Blackwell: As a member of the last Bingham Fellows class I was exposed to the need to remove barriers for participation in the workforce. I support investment in training especially in high need areas such as LMPD officers, CDL drivers and all of our trades. We have tremendous apprenticeship programs in Louisville and we need to promote and support them. I support policies and investments in accessible, affordable and high-quality child care for every Louisvillian. I also support universal day care as an investment in our most valuable resource, our children.
Jonathan Joseph: The workforce has not been the same since the beginnings of the pandemic. Whether it be within our schools, transportation, restaurants – we have shortages within the workforce everywhere we turn. I have an open mind when it comes to fixing this issue as if there was an easy fix, it would have been done on a local, state, and national scale by now. I am interested in hearing from my community why some employees feel disengaged with their employer and how we can improve the work-life balance for our constituents.

Rick Blackwell: There are many aspects of talent attraction including having a safe, fun, and vibrant downtown. We need to continue investing in our parks and I supported increased spending in our last budget for the Parks for All deferred maintenance vision. We also need to continue to invest in and collaborate with promoters for great sporting events, concerts, and the arts. We need to be heavily invested in recruiting the very best talent to Louisville and in promoting Louisville as a great place to live and work.
Jonathan Joseph: What will help our city the most when it comes to attracting talent within the twelfth district is to bring businesses that are currently not within our area and investing in businesses both large and small that will excite people to come to our area and that excites our current residents. We have businesses around the city that have not given our area of town a chance and a community that would get behind them. I desire to be the seat at the table to show business leaders just what they have been missing in the Southend.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Rick Blackwell: I will continue to work with our law enforcement agencies to make Louisville a safer community and invest in their work throughout metro and in District 12. I will continue to work with the Mayor and my Southwest colleagues on the Council to ensure we have investment in our end of town that meets the needs of our residents. I will continue to work to improve our quality-of-life amenities such as our parks, playgrounds, sport venues and infrastructure.
Jonathan Joseph: Knocking door to door has allowed me to see the diversity of opinions throughout our community. I am committed in the first years to investing in our streets and neighborhoods. I desire to be a councilman who goes out to the concerns our community members have and getting a firsthand perspective. I desire to prioritize Dixie Highway and advocate for restaurants/business opportunities that are not an option and that our citizens drive to other parts of Louisville for. Another priority is the closed community center in Sylvania. Revitalizing this building is just another example of what our district deserves.

DISTRICT 14

Incumbent Cindi Fowler is facing Crystal Bast in the general election.

Cindi Fowler: Public Safety is the most important issue facing our city and I will continue to work with LMPD and the Administration to make sure our officers have a living wage and benefits needed to sustain them and their families. I always support our police force and will continue to find ways to boost morale such as funding the 3rd Division workout gym in the basement of the Government Center. This facility provides much needed on-site opportunities to relieve stress before and after their shifts. This type of investment helps to retain good officers.
Crystal Blast: Without public safety, businesses cannot thrive in this community. Through the yearly budget, I will seek to fully fund Louisville Metro Police and our first responders so they can effectively serve residents of Louisville. Currently, we are 250 to 300 police officers short in Louisville. I support competitive compensation to attract and retain police officers, fire fighters, and EMS workers. I will support funding to provide for technology, career development, support programs, and community partnerships. By focusing on transparency, community engagement, and education, we can create a safer environment.

Cindi Fowler: I believe many policies guidelines within Metro are left up to staff to interpret and have become an obstacle to good relationships with our businesses. I am not sure legislative action is necessary if we can make sure human interpretation of policy is fairly administered. I am certainly willing to help with any legislation that would help to create a more flexible environment for our businesses.
Crystal Blast: If elected to Metro Council, I will regularly engage with business leaders, industry experts, and community representatives to gather input on proposed legislation to understand its potential impacts. Part of the job is to assist business owners and individuals in navigating Metro agencies. I will provide resources and support such as hosting workshops, and providing online tools, to help businesses understand and navigate new regulations. It is important to me to simplify regulatory processes to reduce administrative burdens and make compliance easier and less time-consuming.

Cindi Fowler: I would hope that sensible changes to our land development code and planning and design services would be allowed to move forward to help put less burden on development companies to do business in Jefferson County. The red tape people experience when trying to do just about anything is unnecessary and seems to put an undue burden on developers and property owners alike. I would support a streamlined process with less regulations and time-consuming regulations.
Crystal Blast: While it is important to attract talent, it is crucial that local talent meets business needs. I will Invest in education and workforce training programs tailored to high-demand industries. If elected, I will support infrastructure upgrades for transportation, broadband, and utilities to facilitate business operations and improve quality of life. Further, I will invest in cultural amenities, affordable housing, and green spaces to make the region attractive to top talent, local talent, and businesses alike.

Cindi Fowler: We have far too long not invited all parties to the table so we can listen and learn and then react accordingly to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion. We must always look through that lens to see what we may not have seen before and enthusiastically work to bring about the change that has far too long been overlooked.
Crystal Blast: I will seek to foster partnerships between the public sector, private businesses, and non-profits to drive inclusive economic development and create sustainable community programs. I will conduct regular equity audits of public services and policies to ensure that all community members receive fair treatment and access to resources. If elected, I will invest in schools and job training programs in historically marginalized neighborhoods to prepare residents for high-paying jobs in growing industries.

Cindi Fowler: I think the enhanced presence of officers in our urban core is essential to give the community confidence knowing they are safe when visiting downtown. This is unfortunately what was lost during COVID and the unrest. The loss of some of our large downtown businesses is a real hit to our downtown economy. The realization that working from home is cheaper and easier has changed downtown in ways I am not sure we completely understand yet. We must find ways to attract innovative businesses and transform more buildings into living spaces for workers who want to experience the urban lifestyle.
Crystal Blast: I feel revitalizing Downtown Louisville can spark a ripple effect of prosperity across the entire city. Expanding parks, rooftop gardens, and green corridors to enhance the urban environment and provide relaxation spots are important to me. I will encourage temporary retail spaces and farmers markets to create dynamic, ever-changing experiences. By promoting public art installations, festivals, and cultural events, it will attract visitors and foster community pride. I would like for us to invest in downtown Louisville, and breathe new life into it to see that it is a thriving, attractive hub for residents and visitors.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Cindi Fowler: We need to find ways to address mental illness and addiction within the homeless population. Services for mental health are essential to combatting homelessness. I have championed the VOA Van that provides essential documents to individuals so they can apply for services. IDs, birth certificates and social security documents are a must for anyone to receive needed services. It has been very successful in my end of town, and I will fight for continued funding in this year’s budget.
Crystal Blast: Addressing homelessness will require a collaborative approach such as prioritizing providing permanent housing to homeless individuals without preconditions. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services provide accessible mental health and substance abuse treatment to address underlying issues contributing to homelessness. I will seek to create pathways to employment through job training, resume building, and job placement services. I am encouraged by initiatives such as the Community Care Campus and will collaborate with private businesses, non-profits organizations to fund and support homelessness initiatives.

Cindi Fowler:There will never be enough government money to meet every want in the community but I believe we must invest in maintaining our infrastructure. I have supported increases in spending for paving and sidewalk repair. I supported investments in Wi-Fi-access including our parks and had one of the first free Wi-Fi parks at Riverview Park. I spearheaded the Dixie Improvement Project which utilized the latest technology to synchronize traffic lights and the first Bus Rapid Transit line in Louisville.
Crystal Blast: The Metro Council has pushed to increase funding for paving from what was $5 million at one point to $30 million. If elected, I will push for increased infrastructure funding and prioritize areas for spending such as road maintenance. My focus will be on repairing and maintaining existing roadways, while also upgrading them to handle increased traffic and improve safety. I will invest in smart traffic management systems, like adaptive traffic signals and sensors, to reduce congestion and enhance road safety.

Cindi Fowler: We need a streamlined version of what our LDC allows at present. It is much too convoluted and burdensome to be effective. Too much time and effort are expended when trying to do anything within Metro. Many companies just will not do business here because of the antiquated and over-the-top regulations. We need a complete overhaul in so many ways. The need for new direction in planning and design is long overdue and I have expressed my concern to the mayor many times. I believe we are seeing some changes but so much more is needed.
Crystal Blast: If elected, I will closely follow proposed changes to the Land Development Code. Realizing that we need more housing stock, I believe there must be a balance to protect existing neighborhoods while increasing housing units. I am listening to the middle housing debate and will review what the Planning Commission comes up with in that regard.

Cindi Fowler: We should expand programming for our middle and high school students encouraging trade careers that will get them in the job market sooner and hopefully keep them here. But we must help them with tuition assistance programs and expand as needed, possibly offering incentives to stay in Louisville. Childcare is a real issue in the workforce, creating obstacles for parents and companies alike. Many companies help with childcare, and they reap the benefits. I would like to see more companies working toward providing affordable opportunities for childcare. Possibly through a tax incentive from the state or federal government.
Crystal Blast: Short term solutions such as Launching fast-track training programs focused on high-demand skills, in collaboration with local businesses and educational institutions. Offer incentives for part-time and flexible work arrangements to attract a broader range of employees, including those balancing family responsibilities. Long term we could look at creating clear career pathways with ongoing education and training opportunities, ensuring workers can progress and adapt to industry changes. Encourage businesses to offer flexible work hours, remote work options, and on-site child care to support working parents.

No response was received from Cindi Fowler.
Crystal Blast: Tackling the workforce shortage requires a multifaceted approach. I can look to ensure salaries and benefits are attractive compared to peer cities. Invest in cultural amenities, parks, and recreational facilities to make the city more livable and enjoyable. Foster a diverse and inclusive work environment that values different perspectives and backgrounds. Establish networking events and mentorship programs to integrate new talent.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Cindi Fowler: I will continue to work with CM Blackwell on the Veterans Housing project providing much needed services for our veterans suffering from PTSD and other issues that are obstacles to their wellbeing. I am also working on the Watson Lane Elementary Reimagined project providing affordable senior housing in each classroom and using the existing gymnasium and cafeteria as a Metro community center and a daycare for the neighboring families. I am very excited to see this project come to fruition!
Crystal Blast: One of my top priorities will be to increase funding and hiring of police officers to restore the more than 300 vacant positions in LMPD. Bring more officers back to District 14 to improve response times, reduce speeding and support safer neighborhoods. Oppose efforts to release criminals with violent or drug related offenses. Support proven programs to reduce crime and violence and Oppose all efforts to defund the police. Prioritize highlighting and growing local businesses. Working with neighborhoods to start neighborhood watches, meet and greets, clean up, and beautification from within.

DISTRICT 16

Incumbent Scott Reed is facing Matthew Golden in the general election.

Scott Reed: Public Safety is the number one responsibility for local government. The previous administration gutted LMPD to the tune of 300 plus officers lost due to early retirement or leaving because of lack of support and inadequate pay/benefits. I support paying our women/men in blue wages/benefits commensurate with suburban and peer cities, while empowering them to do their jobs and enforce the laws. I support the Civilian Review Board, comprised of local citizens and I have pushed for construction of a new training facility for police. It is imperative, though, that we get our numbers back to 2016 levels.
Matthew Golden: Metro Council is responsible for budgeting the Police Department and approving all collective bargaining agreements. I do believe that is essential that we pay our officers well, but I also believe that our city should continue to fund the accountability and improvement bureaus to manage not only oversight, but education, officer support and community engagement. Those things work. I also believe that we cannot complain about crime and adopt a laissez faire attitude to criminal prosecution. We must begin to demand accountability out of our citizens and our police department.

Scott Reed: As a small businessman who has helped create hundreds of jobs (V.G. Reed & Sons, HubZone Certified, Diversity Print/Fulfillment Company, located at 1002 S. 12th St), I understand the burdens of time consuming regulations. Our Codes/Inspections Office must be more lean and nimble. It takes far too long for inspections, creating needless time waiting for approvals and money burdens for business owners and employers. I will carefully consider any legislation that streamlines processes.
Matthew Golden: Before I pass a single ordinance, I intend to ask the various stakeholders how regulations impact them, their businesses and the community at large. I also think it is incumbent upon Metro Council to do a thorough review of the ordinances presently in place to make sure that the laws we have meet an intended purpose. That is actually a requirement under law.

Scott Reed: Louisville has one of the highest occupational tax rates in the nation. This dissuades businesses from wanting to re-locate to the city. I strongly encourage the state to consider a reduction or elimination of the occupational tax in a tax neutral manner, similar to Tennessee. Nashville is a model for economic development.
Matthew Golden: I believe that our City’s economic development office may be understaffed and some of the impediments to locating here and investing in our community make little sense to me. If we are going to attract and retain economic development, we need to make sure that we act more as an ambassador, and less as a gatekeeper.

Scott Reed: Louisville is comprised of 26 Metro districts. While I support and encourage development in the urban core and marginalized communities, it is critical to support development in the areas where population is growing as well. We have successfully created plans for addressing road paving, sidewalk repair and park upkeep. We need to continue this with other aspects of local government services.
Matthew Golden: Business ownership–small scale–is the single most important driver of economic growth for marginalized communities. The person who owns a business, who employs folks around them, and who cares for the community in which their business is located, has the greatest impact on wealth development for their future generations. As a city, we need to foster small business ownership and development if we want to truly address inequality.

Scott Reed: More housing in now vacant office buildings would be one priority. Bringing more affordable housing options downtown will help to bring younger people to town, it will help revitalize downtown and it will help improve safety by making our streets more populated at night. I would also like to see more done to give people a better and safer feeling when downtown. Our downtown will grow when people feel safe.
Matthew Golden: This is an area that I would like to study. I have spent almost my entire career downtown. I have watched boom and bust, but what I have noticed most is that when downtown is thriving, it is because the business community wants to be there. From in-person Courts, to in-per health care, to in-person financial districts, when there is a desire, people will show up. If we want to revitalize downtown, it will be because business leaders make in-person work a priority. I would also like to see free or low cost permit parking for downtown employees.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Scott Reed: I was on the workforce committee that recently allocated $33 Million for affordable housing and wrap around services for those 30 percent AMI and below. I have also been part of the planning and zoning committee (Vice-Chair) where we are looking at ways to improve accessibility for people to both buy and rent a home. I am a strong supporter of the Clean Collaborative as well as the Goodwill Campus established to offer a variety of services for those trying to move out of poverty.
Matthew Golden: Homelessness is a public health issue. I think it is time to treat it as such. The root causes of chronic homelessness start with lack of access to healthcare and addiction recovery. As the city helps to fund both, we should make sure that our investment is impactful. I also believe it is important to bring our non-profits into the fold as we work together and plan for these expenditures. That relationship should be less adversarial.

Scott Reed: I have strongly supported and voted for increased funding for roads/sidewalks since becoming a member of the Metro Council. Funding has increased from less than $3 Million to nearly $30 Million annually. Our roads have improved, but there is still much to be done. Moreover, I support a complete analysis as to the efficacy of TARC, which has bled money for many years due to abysmal leadership and lack of board accountability.
Matthew Golden: I believe that public transportation is economic development at its most basic form. It allows people to get to employment and schools in a subsidized fashion. I believe that is essential we maintain public transportation–especially in light of transportation breakdowns in our public schools. I also believe that we need to address our funding structures for public transportation and road improvements as the funding is not keeping up with the demand.

Scott Reed: I am on the Ad Hoc Land Development Committee that is studying potential changes to the code. Our work has just started. I support changes that will reduce the time for development, while maintaining and improving the public’s ability to comment. I support changes that encourage home ownership and the opportunity to establish generational wealth.
Matthew Golden: I do not believe that the review and appeals process for Planning and Zoning and Land Development approval meet efficiency and transparency standards. If a developer is interested in developing land, there should be a quicker process for review. Obviously, that changes when public funds are provided for a project and I do believe that if public funds are invested in a project, the city should have a say in the affordability quotient.

Scott Reed: We need our community to have more housing options, especially downtown. We need to utilize empty and underperforming office complexes downtown with housing that will attract younger professionals and those people who work downtown. I believe in building up our medical center, investing in our schools and challenging the status quo that has left us with problems that affect nearly every household (with and without students).
Matthew Golden: I support the desire to have universal access to Pre-K. I also support efforts to identify needed professions–nurses, CDL licensed drivers, and City employees–and then spend workforce dollars to address critical needs. However, I also believe it is incumbent upon us to work with employers to help on retaining the employees that they have.

Scott Reed: We need Louisville to be welcoming especially to younger workers. We need more downtown housing at all income levels and we need people to feel safe. I would support policies that help to achieve these goals.
Matthew Golden: I am going to be a contrarian. I believe that we already have amazing talent here in the City. We need to do a better job recognizing it and using those folks as ambassadors to attract similar talent. We should be promoting affinity groups throughout our professions to attract peer talent for us.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Scott Reed: My top priorities are supporting Public Safety especially our police through better pay, better training and enhanced use of technology in fighting crime. I want to see an even greater investment in infrastructure: paving, sewers, internet as well as improvements needed to support the growth already underway in more suburban districts like District 16. I want Metro to move away from the fighting over parochial issues and instead focus on making our entire city a better place so that our kids will see it as a place to stay, rather than as a stepping stone to somewhere better.
Matthew Golden: The most important task I can take on in my first year is to understand the City’s very complicated budget. We are in a time where our increasing needs are coming up against our limited revenue and resources. Almost every one of the problems addressed above requires an expenditure of funds from the our government.

DISTRICT 18

Incumbent Marilyn Parker is facing Mera Katheryn Corlett in the general election.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: I’ll champion implementing the Trauma Resilient Communities model to support officer mental health and reduce turnover, leveraging successful models from other sectors. Real-world programming, not just classroom training, will emphasize de-escalation and cultural awareness, fostering transformative interactions between officers and communities. Data-driven policing strategies will target crime effectively while ensuring fairness and accountability, bolstering public safety and community trust. I’d also love to work with GLI on using LiveinLou toward attracting new officers.
Marilyn Parker: Public Safety is my top priority. I have promoted and funded shotspotter technology, two recent pay increases to help align police salaries with other neighboring communities, supported funding for the LMPD wellness center where officers can work out, decompress and receive counseling to help them alleviate stress and mitigate job induced PTSD. I also funded new flock cameras and a workout facility in the 8th division that serves my District.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: I will prioritize input from businesses on how government regulations slow their processes to speed up the growth of business in Louisville.
Marilyn Parker: As a small business owner, I would love to see our regulatory burden reduced. I will not support any new regulations. We have enough already and we can’t enforce the ones we already have. My focus has and will continue to be to look at ways to make Metro an asset towards business growth rather than an impediment.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: I’m interested in promoting growth-focused business tax policies that increase Kentucky’s competitiveness on the national stage. Louisville is well-positioned to become a hub for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare with the right tools at our disposal.
Marilyn Parker: No new tax increases. I will not support any new levies or increases. Our businesses are burdened enough. Secondly, work towards a safer Louisville so that our reputation improves and businesses will want to locate here. Thirdly continue to beatify our city with trash, graffiti removal, and well-manicured public properties, as first impression are vital. Fourthly-continue to apply measures to reduce panhandling and the homeless population. Lastly, apply pressure to JCPS to allow children to attend their local schools, which would fix a myriad of problems that businesses and residents from out of town have never had to deal with.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: To tackle historical inequities, I’ll prioritize redline reversal policies, combat housing discrimination, and support families navigating probate to safeguard homeownership. Targeted community investment programs will spur economic growth and high homeownership rates correlate with reduced crime. Support for CDFIs such as LHOME and LISC creates improved access to capital in our historically underinvested communities and will lead to long-term economic growth.
Marilyn Parker: We can do more to make it easier for all people to participate in local government. We need to improve our recruitment of bidders for contracts, find new ways to get applicants for boards and commissions and stop government from create new obstacles that scare first time business owners away from investing in our community.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: I am a proponent of working with my Metro Council colleagues to promote the development of new tax incentives to spur the type of sustainable growth that Louisville and the downtown core need.
Marilyn Parker: It’s unfortunate that we are having this problem again after millions were invested decades ago at 4th street live etc., but once again public safety comes into play with downtown revitalization. We need to keep working on police recruitment, and get the numbers of our shootings and thefts down we also need judges who will hold criminals accountable. Getting a grocery downtown is important and finding an organization that will locate there is vital. Finally, we need to redevelop the empty office buildings and spaces into housing that meets the needs of a wide variety of people.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Mera Katheryn Corlett: Having a husband who owns a business in downtown Louisville has given me unique insights into the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, including issues related to homelessness. My experience at Seven Counties Services further reinforced my dedication to addressing these issues. I will invest in comprehensive mental health services, affordable housing initiatives, and partnerships with community organizations tackling homelessness in a multifaceted way.
Marilyn Parker: The proliferation of drugs and mental illness are the root causes of homelessness. So once again, retention and recruitment of law enforcement to catch drug dealers and gang members will be very helpful. Connecting people to programs that assist with drug addiction and mental illnesses are crucial as well. I have pushed for increased funding for nonprofits such as the Healing Place and VOA to assist rehab efforts.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: My one transportation infrastructure goal will be that kids can get to and from school safely, at a reasonable hour.
Marilyn Parker: In recent years I have supported efforts to increase road funding from $3M in the mayors budget to $30 M, and used my discretionary spending on paving roads, and refurbishing the parks in my district as well as sidewalk connectivity. Public transportation with TARC has presented some management problem. Routes that were actually well used were cancelled and routes that were hardly ever used are still in progress.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: Most crucially, it’s important to understand that Louisville Metro Government is a combined metro-county government, and I would like to see policies applied equally across the county. Improvements like adaptive re-use, expanded opportunities for accessory dwelling units, and expansion of the homestead tax exemption are positive changes that can provide immediate impacts to our community.
Marilyn Parker: There is a task force this year reviewing our land development code that will be making changes. I am hopeful this group will focus on solving both the housing issues as well as our desire to boost downtown through pro9posals that look at our urban core differently than open farmlands or more rural ones. We need our zoning process to understand that a cookie cutter approach might not serve all areas equally or well for that matter.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: As a young mother directly affected by my son’s childcare center closing, I intimately understand the urgency in addressing childcare challenges for a full workforce return. In the short term, I’ll advocate for emergency childcare subsidies and partnerships with local businesses. Long-term, I’ll push for expanded childcare infrastructure, including affordable options and training programs for childcare workers.
Marilyn Parker: One of our community’s biggest needs in the next decade will be related to the medical field. We need to support training for Doctors as well as Nurses, RNPs and a variety of different positions that will serve our aging population. We also need to add pressure to see JCPS better serve our students. Finally we need to continue investment in workforce development as well as seeking ways to keep our best and brightest from moving to other communities because they have greater opportunities elsewhere.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: I will strengthen programs like LiveinLou that are championing the city externally. I will also prioritize promoting the city’s cultural and recreational offerings. Lastly, highlighting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives ensures all residents can contribute to and thrive in our vibrant community.
Marilyn Parker: To recruit and retain talent attraction several things need to exist. Competitive pay relative to cost of living. Affordable and availability of quality housing, a tax structure competitive with our peer cities, and quality of life amenities, such as nightlife, restaurants, bars, and music festivals. A cap on payroll taxes per individual salary by local, state and federal government would be helpful.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Mera Katheryn Corlett: In the first year I will prioritize better understanding how to support local businesses in my district and the constraints they face.
Marilyn Parker: My top priorities are first public safety, continuing to support our officers through competitive pay, state of the art technology such as flock cameras to assist with car thefts, state of the art safety equipment, advanced training and finding a location for a new training facility. My second priority is funding adequately our deferred maintenance needs with repair of our roads, sidewalks and parks. My other top priority is to make Metro an aide towards growth and prosperity instead of an obstacle to persons wanting to invest in our city.

DISTRICT 20

Incumbent Stuart Benson is facing Marita Willis in the general election.

Stuart Benson: I will continue to support efforts to make the wages, benefits, and training available to our officers the best in the region. As a member of the Metro Council, I have fought against efforts to reduce our investment in safety, and I have sought the construction of a new training facility as well as the use of technology to help solve crimes and deter future violent acts.
Marita Willis: I, too, believe that public safety is an important issue in our community. It is not my area of expertise, but because I have relationships across the city I can be a connector and facilitator to improve community relations. Right now, over 40% of LMPD officers come from outside of Louisville. We have to change this in order to improve community relations and grow the force. I’m committed to that.

Stuart Benson: I have a clear record of questioning and opposing many of the legislative ideas that have been proposed by my council colleagues. I understand the burdens government can create in everything from running a restaurant, childcare facility to start a new business. In addition to working on fighting bad legislation, I have made significant efforts to empower people through consistent and informative communications with the people and businesses I serve.
Marita Willis: I would consider business regulation like any other issue. I would be open to hearing from business leaders and other stakeholders to ensure Louisville has a friendly environment for the right kinds of businesses we need to operate in our city. I have a career in banking and community development that has helped me understand the challenging financing industry that makes it difficult for start-ups and small businesses to obtain funding. I hope to add my voice to that issue.

Stuart Benson: We need to focus more on regional planning and investing in long-overdue infrastructure improvements to support the type of growth that is needed. I would like to see changes in our ROAD funding formula as well as other state-based formulas that have not adapted to changes in the delivery of services by local government.
Marita Willis: Louisville has a blossoming small business and start-up ecosystem that has shown some ability to be much more collaborative than other cities. However, our small business and start-up ecosystem has not seen the same level of investment like other cities. As a Metro Council member, I will be a champion for this and would work with my colleagues to find innovative ways to fund new and small businesses – that are the foundation for any strong local economy.

Stuart Benson: I support having a purchasing department that is streamlined to encourage more people to participate in Metro projects. I have supported programs to offer incentives in the past, and I believe that having more people involved in bids will help reduce our costs and improve the quality of the product we receive.
Marita Willis: We need to better understand the baseline of the inequalities. How much does our local government spend with diverse business owners? How much do our major employers and most successful businesses spend with diverse business owners? What do employment numbers look like? Before we can make changes, we need to better understand where the opportunities are to grow. I would work with my colleagues, the mayor and his team and GLI and other business leaders to better understand where we are so that we can make changes.

Stuart Benson: We need to help improve public safety and show a real focus on supporting efforts to make downtown a place for everyone. Downtown leaders need to understand that safety is not just about numbers but also about feelings and experiences and we need to stop talking to our residents in a way that doesn’t adequately address the emotion as well as the concerns (right or wrong) that many have about coming downtown.
Marita Willis: We need a huge amount of housing and retail businesses downtown. I would be a champion for making sure we make the right investments so that housing and small business development growth happens in our downtown area. We need downtown to be active and busy 24 hours of day and I’m sure we can get it done.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

Stuart Benson: We have invested hundreds of millions in addressing homelessness over the past decade. We are about to open the community care campus and have seen successes from Metro’s recently created Clean Collaborative. I want to see Metro invest more in home ownership and support for those just under the threshold to help people escape poverty and begin a multi-generational journey towards self-sufficiency.
Marita Willis: Our city needs a diversity of housing everywhere and especially smaller apartment complexes – under 20 units. We need housing developments that offer supportive services to residents with needs that will enable them to be stabilized and remain independent.

Stuart Benson: No one on the Metro Council has spoken more about the need for investing in infrastructure. I have sought long term road planning as well as the funding of repair of our paving, bridges, and sidewalks my entire time on the Metro Council. I have used the vast majority of District 20 funds for construction or planning for roads that will lead to economic growth and I have spent the past decade working to bring high speed internet access to the people and businesses in more rural Jefferson County.
Marita Willis: Louisville desperately needs a public transit system that works. We have been expecting TARC to service the entire region and that has outstretched its capacity. We need a huge investment to update the fleet to make it more green as well as being innovative about how TARC serves the community. I would advocate for LMG to utilize its bonding capability to invest in TARC and to explore expansion of TARC through rail.

Stuart Benson: My focus will be on making sure that Metro plans appropriately for growth and that any developments are supported through infrastructure improvements such as right-hand turn lanes, sidewalks, and other needed items. I understand the need for continued growth in the area but want to be sure that we support these changes beyond simply passing them on through the planning process.
Marita Willis: We can expand housing options by changing the abundance of single-family housing zoning. We can change the LDC to streamline the process to build “middle housing” – smaller multi-family. In older, denser areas of the city, there is a diversity of housing options that include smaller multi-family options. Too often large multi-family developments face opposition and developers are opting to build those because it takes the same effort to build these as does smaller ones. We could limit opposition by making it easier to redevelop land in the denser neighborhoods by including middle housing in the LDC by right.

Stuart Benson: I have worked for more than a decade to bring high speed internet to thousands of people and businesses in the more rural areas of Metro. People became much more aware of this need following the start of COVID and the lack of connectivity can kill the value of a home and hurt the ability of people to work or learn from home.
Marita Willis: First, we need to market the employer state tax break that incentives employers to help employees with child care. Next, we need many more early childhood options so parents can afford to work. I support existing efforts to expand early childhood and would encourage JCPS and JCTC to create career pathways for young people to open early childhood education centers. Lastly, we need to utilize federal workforce funds to grow our building industry to support the increase in housing development.

Stuart Benson: Metro has been slow when hiring people, I support the hiring of a firm to review our hiring processes and hope that this will help to fill needed spots. We need government to focus on the basics such as safety, roads, and infrastructure first and helps people to understand that they live in a safe and thriving community. We also need government to be seen as an advocate for business and not a place where we look to increase or collect more taxes every other year.
Marita Willis: We often hear about labor shortages from the perspective of employers. However, we rarely hear from workers. I would like us to start engaging workers and workforce training front line workers to learn more about the challenges workers have and what ways will increase employer-worker relations. Our world is in the midst of an economic transition and we have to encourage employers to consider how to work better with employees – offering different benefits, incentives and work schedules.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Stuart Benson: Infrastructure (Paving, Internet, Sewers, etc.) Safety – Hiring more Officers, offering better training and supporting better pay) Making government a supporter of economic growth through fewer efforts to create new rules and stopping the nickel and dime taxations that seem to be proposed almost every other year.
Marita Willis: In addition to what I share in the answer to Question #1, as a Metro Council member, I would champion better relationships amongst council districts and between Metro Council and our state legislators. Right now, Louisville is under attack from bad legislation coming from Frankfort authored by legislators from Louisville. I don’t necessarily think our legislators are bad people; I just believe our elected officials are acting upon our differences versus finding ways to find commonalities throughout Louisville that would enable them to champion our shared values.

DISTRICT 22

Kevin Bratcher and Dr. Rasean Crawley are competing in the general election.

Kevin Bratcher: I have worked in the legislature for several years on public safety issues and I believe we need to do more in both the preventative and punishment areas.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I would foster collaboration between the business community, law enforcement, and residents. This could involve creating community oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in policing practices. Additionally, investing in comprehensive training programs for officers, including de-escalation techniques and cultural competency, would be essential. Promoting community policing initiatives and prioritizing mental health support for officers can also contribute to building trust and improving retention. Ultimately, I would seek to address systematic issues within law enforcement agencies to create safer and more inclusive communities for all stakeholders. I would work with current LMPD leadership to address the above.

Kevin Bratcher: Business regulations that hinder business operations and functions need to be eliminated immediately. I believe governments role is to ensure a fair system, but not a punitive system of business.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I would first ensure that we balance the needs of businesses with the interests of workers, consumers, and the broader community. This involves actively engaging with stakeholders, including business leaders, workers’ representatives, and advocacy groups, to gather input and ensure that proposed legislation reflects diverse perspectives. Additionally, I would advocate for measures such as regular reviews of existing regulations to identify areas for improvement and streamline processes. The goal is to foster a regulatory environment that promotes innovation, protects workers’ rights, and supports sustainable economic growth for all.

No response was received from Kevin Bratcher.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I am committed to advancing policies that prioritize inclusive economic development to ensure the prosperity of all residents in our region. This includes supporting investments in infrastructure, education, and workforce development to attract businesses and create high-quality jobs. Additionally, I will advocate for equitable access to resources and opportunities for historically marginalized communities to foster a more diverse and resilient economy. Collaborating with local stakeholders, including businesses, community organizations, and government agencies, will be essential to develop comprehensive strategies that position our city as a leader in innovation and sustainability.

No response was received from Kevin Bratcher.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I will support policies that prioritize investment in historically marginalized communities, including targeted funding for affordable housing, small business development, and quality education. Additionally, I will advocate for initiatives that address systemic barriers to employment and economic opportunity, such as job training programs and equitable access to transportation. Furthermore, I will work to ensure that city resources are allocated equitably across all neighborhoods, fostering a more just and prosperous community for all residents.

Kevin Bratcher: I think revitalization is very important for not only all of Louisville, but all of Kentucky. Louisville is the economic engine of Kentucky and it is important for all citizens to be interested in a vibrant downtown.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: To usher in a new era of urban core revitalization, I will support innovative strategies that prioritize sustainability, mixed-use development, and equitable access to amenities. This includes incentivizing the repurposing of vacant properties for affordable housing and community spaces, fostering a vibrant arts and culture scene, and enhancing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Collaborating closely with the business community, residents, and local stakeholders, we can leverage public-private partnerships to spur investment and create a downtown that is welcoming, inclusive, and reflective of our diverse community’s needs and aspirations.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the cause of homelessness in our community?

No response was received from Kevin Bratcher.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I am deeply committed to addressing the root causes of homelessness in our community. I will prioritize investments in evidence-based programs that provide housing-first solutions, wraparound services, and mental health support for individuals experiencing homelessness. Additionally, I will work to strengthen partnerships between local government, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders to coordinate resources and maximize impact. This includes expanding affordable housing options, advocating for increased funding for homelessness prevention programs, and supporting initiatives that address systemic issues such as poverty, addiction, and lack of access to healthcare. Criminalizing the homeless population is not how government should address the crisis.

No response was received from Kevin Bratcher.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: My priorities will include allocating funding for essential road maintenance projects to ensure the safety and efficiency of our transportation network. Additionally, I will advocate for investments in modernizing technology infrastructure to improve access to essential services and promote digital equity across all neighborhoods. Furthermore, I will support initiatives to enhance public transportation options, such as expanding routes, improving accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and investing in sustainable transit solutions to reduce congestion and emissions. Louisville can use a light rail system to assist with infrastructure.

Kevin Bratcher: I believe land development and zoning issues should be a top priority for Louisville. And I think homeownership should be the number one priority of all involved.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I will support updates to the Land Development Code that provide greater flexibility while maintaining a focus on sustainability, equity, and community engagement. This may include streamlining permitting processes, incentivizing mixed-use development in underdeveloped areas, and promoting affordable housing options through density bonuses and inclusionary zoning policies. Additionally, I will advocate for provisions that prioritize green infrastructure, public spaces, and transportation connectivity to create vibrant, livable neighborhoods for all residents. This would be a team effort between the residents, all districts, and government officials.

No response was received from Kevin Bratcher.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: To address labor shortages and remove workforce barriers, I will support policies that prioritize access to affordable and high-quality childcare options, including subsidies for low-income families and investments in childcare infrastructure. Additionally, I will advocate for increased funding for workforce training and education programs, particularly in emerging industries and underserved communities, to equip workers with the skills they need to succeed in the modern economy. Furthermore, I will work to strengthen partnerships between businesses, educational institutions, and workforce development agencies to create pathways to employment and career advancement.

Kevin Bratcher: Workforce attraction is important and to attract the best in the brightest we must have a vibrant downtown and plenty of tourist attractions and good parks.
Dr. Rasean Crawley: I will support policies that prioritize investments in education and workforce development, including partnerships with local schools, universities, and vocational training programs. Additionally, I will advocate for initiatives that enhance the quality of life in Louisville by observing what peer cities have accomplished and learning from their opportunities.

Question 11: Top Priorities – Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order.

Kevin Bratcher: My top priorities as a metro councilman will be to make Fern Creek and the city of Louisville a great place to live, work and raise a family. 
Dr. Rasean Crawley: Throughout my first year in office, I will remain dedicated to transparency, accountability, and community engagement, ensuring that my actions align with the needs and priorities of the people I serve.

DISTRICT 24

Tyra Thomas-Walker and Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge are competing in the general election.

Question 1: Public Safety – Public safety is a very important issue for the business community. How will you work with LMPD to improve officer retention and attraction while also increasing accountability and trust with the communities they serve?

Tyra Thomas-Walker: To improve officer retention and attraction while increasing accounting and trust with the communities will be to build an effective and efficient Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) can be approached in several strategies. We need to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package along with a clear path for career advancement. Develop programs where officers engage more with the community members through regular non-enforcement interactions to establish relationships and foster mutual understanding. Hold regular community forums and town halls to keep residents informed and involved in policing practices to foster transparency and communication. As well as other strategies.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: One of the main responsibilities of our government is safety. In the last 4 years+, LMPD has seen a high number of officers retiring or leaving due to government and citizen support. Pay has been increased to be competitive but the benefits from insurance to retirement benefits have diminished over the last few years making retention hard. The competition with other smaller/suburban departments and cities locally have continued to be a challenge either during recruitment and even through training via lateral transfers.

Question 2: Business Regulations – A predictable and flexible regulatory environment allows businesses to grow and thrive. How will you consider proposed legislation to ensure that the impact on the business community is not overly burdensome and comes with clear and accessible guidelines?

Tyra Thomas-Walker: When considering proposed legislation, it’s crucial to balance the need for effective policy with the impact on the business community. Here’s how to approach it to ensure that the legislation is not overly burdensome and provides clear, accessible guidelines. We need to involve representatives from the business community early in the legislative process. Conduct surveys, focus groups, and public hearings to gather feedback and understand the concerns. Continue the dialogue to maintain open channels of communication throughout the process to address any emerging issues and refine the proposal accordingly. Monitor and review the impact and provide regular updates
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: Government can create a barrier to businesses, and this should be reduced. We need to eliminate any regulations the keep businesses from doing their job, from growing and from supporting the community. By having forums, meeting with businesses in the community to address concerns, discuss legislative process and to be able to bring back to the Metro Council ideas/proposals is imperative.

Tyra Thomas-Walker: To ensure that our region’s economic development efforts are well-positioned for growth and competitiveness with peer cities, several strategic changes and initiatives can be supported, such as: investing in infrastructure by upgrading transportation and implementing smart technologies to improve efficiency and quality of life. Focus on quality of life by enhancing urban amenities such as parks and recreational facilities and ensuring that housing remains price efficient and accessible to support a diverse workforce. Focus on sustainable development like green initiatives and resilience planning.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: Investment on infrastructure improvements to support the growth happening, and that will continue to happen in the city, should be a major goal of Metro Council in the coming years. Growth is happening and is inevitable. We need to work to improve the name of Louisville, meaning the reputation of the City to live, work and visit, brining economy in. As a Metro Council, we need to have forums and direct discussions with businesses, citizens and people of the community to review impacts of ordinances being proposed that have to do with not only the economic development but cities growth.

Question 4: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Investment and inclusive growth in historically marginalized communities are critical for progress and the long-term success of Louisville. What policies and investments will you support to improve equity in our community?

Tyra Thomas-Walker: To improve equity in our community, I will support a range of policies and investments that address systemic disparities and promote fairness across various sectors. I will support increased funding for public education and continue to be an advocate to ensure schools, particularly those in the underserved areas, have the resources they need to provide high quality education as well as support to retain quality teachers. I will support a down payment assistance to help first time home buyers while advocating for affordable housing. I will support policies that increase access to affordable healthcare, including mental health services, and transparency.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: Having a partnership, discussions and inclusions from those effected by decisions made at Metro Council is important. I will have public forums, open discussions and be available to ensure that there is a collaboration between businesses, citizens, non-profits and public/private sectors to manifest inclusion in all decisions. We need to continue to invest in trades, programs, and education to ensure residents of Louisville are prepared for their future.

Tyra Thomas-Walker: The innovations the city and business community should utilize to bring in a new era of urban core revitalization are investing in smart infrastructure like street lighting, encouraging the construction and retrofitting of buildings using green building standards and materials to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Invest in modern, efficient public transportation systems, including electric buses. Ensure widespread access to high-speed internet to support remote work, digital businesses, and connectivity for all residents. Use digital platforms to involve residents in urban planning processes, gathering input and feedback to ensure developments meet community needs.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: Continuing to invest in our city, the safety of our city by having officers present, able to do their job is essential to bring safety and confidence into those living, working and visiting Downtown. Confidence in the safety, the beauty and economy in downtown was lost in 2020 from COVID to the unrest. There are businesses coming back to Downtown, and we need to find a way to attract those businesses, retain the ones there and attract people to visit Downtown again.

Question 6: Homelessness – What programs and partnerships will you invest in and support to prevent and address the causes of homelessness in our community?

Tyra Thomas-Walker: To effectively address the causes of homelessness in our community, I will invest and support programs that will address the mental health issues, addiction issues, affordable housing, and housing stabilization services. I will invest and support programs that offer integrated case management to connect individuals with the necessary resources including job training. Invest in programs focused on preventing youth homelessness, including support for at-risk youth, foster care transitions, and family counseling. I will support policies that address systemic issues contributing to homelessness, such as increasing the minimum wage, improving access to affordable healthcare, and enhancing tenant protections.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: Homelessness effects most of Louisville. Addressing the number of those effected and how it effects the city, will take more than only those Metro Council people at the table. Collaboration with mental heal services, substance/mental abuse, housing, meals and more are needed to not only get those effected back on their feet but bring them into the community to thrive. I will partner, listen to and work alongside businesses, non-profits and specialists to support the current, and new, initiatives.

Tyra Thomas-Walker: I will focus spending on road maintenance and upgrades and implement a data-driven approach to identify and address the most critical infrastructure needs first. I will support investing in public transportation by expanding routes and services that cover underserved areas and better meet the needs of the residents and making sure that it is available to individuals with disabilities. I will explore public-private partnerships to leverage additional resources for infrastructure projects. I will support long-term planning and investment to develop and maintain comprehensive capital improvement plans that prioritize long-term infrastructure needs and allocate resources effectively.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: If you have met me on a door-step or have listened to one of my interviews, you will know that one of my goals is to continue to invest and maintain our infrastructure. With the growth discussed earlier in the economic development, it is important that we continue to maintain paving, sidewalk repairs, review traffic flows from new builds and the effects on our roads. If elected I will continue to push to increase our infrastructure funding, focusing on maintaining and repairing roadways and upgrades to handle any new traffic patterns.

No response was received from Tyra Thomas-Walker.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: Working with the planning commission, understanding the need to protect existing neighborhoods and having housing options available. The Metro Council did put together an Ad Hoc Land Develpment Committee that is looking at potential changes to code. I support the opportunities for home ownership and growth of our community.

Tyra Thomas-Walker: I will support a range of policies focused on improving access to child care, enhancing training opportunities, and addressing other critical workforce issues, such as increasing funding for child care subsidies to help working families afford quality child care and alleviate the financial burden on parents, and support temporary or emergency child care programs. I will invest in short-term, high-impact training programs that quickly equip workers with the skills needed for in-demand jobs. Support initiatives that encourage continuous education and lifelong learning, including subsidized or free access to online courses and certifications.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge I support the Thrive by 5 program that gives a universal access to Pre-K across Louisville. The city has had a workforce development program in place for years, my mom used to work there, and it is important that we continue to leverage the work they have done, and are doing to grow our professionals from nurses/medical license professionals, City employees, trade workers, and others addressing the needs of the City.

Tyra Thomas-Walker: I will support a range of policies focused on improving access to child care, enhancing training opportunities, and addressing other critical workforce issues. I will create and support incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs to foster entrepreneurship and attract tech talent. Ensure widespread access to high-speed internet to support remote work and attract tech-savvy professionals. Invest in smart city technologies that enhance urban living and connectivity, making Louisville a more appealing place for tech professionals. Encourage the growth of minority-owned businesses and provide resources for diverse entrepreneurs.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: I think this is a multi-level approach from attracting those to the City of Louisville, providing affordable housing, and provide training opportunities with the Workforce Development Program.

Question 11: Top Priorities: Describe what actions you will take during your first year in office to address your top priorities.

Tyra Thomas-Walker: The first year in office I will create policies that will create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous District 24 and Louisville, KY, by enhancing public safety, improving healthcare to assist with mental health and addiction. I will foster economic opportunities and work on initiatives that will stimulate economic growth and create sustainable job opportunities and help build a thriving economy in District 24 and for the city of Louisville, KY.
Ginny Mulvey-Woolridge: My top priority is first, public safety. Supporting our officers, firefighters, EMS and other city employees, as I have done for over 30 years as a spouse and sister of public servants. This includes the attraction of those workers, retaining them, investing in technology, equipment and well-being. By prioritizing public safety, we then can ensure Louisville is attracting people to live, work and grow families. Secondly, my focus is on infrastructure from our road, sidewalks, traffic patterns and keeping those up do date with the cities growth.

DISTRICT 26

No response was received from Brett Ackerson. He is running unopposed in the general election.

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2024 Metro Council Candidate Survey Results

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