People want to know how the Hopkinsville City Council candidates will use their money, whether it is increasing taxes, spending on capital projects or cutting the budget, and they got the chance to get answers Monday and Tuesday night during the annual League of Women Voters forums. One of the liveliest debates so far this political season was the Ward 5 debate between incumbent Charlie Henderson and challenger Jason McCraw. The two talked many topics, but for McCraw the lack of forethought the council has is just too much.
Meanwhile, Henderson stands by his voting record, which includes not supporting the municipal building project, but he adds it is hard to balance all the wants people come to the council with when money is involved.
Ward 7 candidates Buddy Oglesby and William Joe Everett have similar views on some issues, but when it comes to the budget they could not be more different. Oglesby says he does not support new taxes and would in fact make a few budget cuts.
But Everett says there is nothing in history that shows cutting government in an economic downturn will help anything.
The three Ward 1 candidates agree that economic development and recruitment are important parts of the city council's job and that it is an area that could use some improving, but they differ on how to go about it. Wendell Green says focusing on businesses like TeleTech, Amazon and UPS will help stabilize the local economy.
While Carolsue Daigre says it is about focusing on the people and ideas already in town.
But Thomas Grant says landing the "big fish" is what Hopkinsville needs.
While Ward 6 Councilwoman Ann Cherry was unable to attend, her challenger Roger Richey was on hand and says he wants to work on economic development and grow the city.
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