HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The League of Women Voters is hosting forums for the upcoming election for all candidates in Hopkinsville.

Democrat candidate Markeeta Wilkerson and Republican write-in candidate Natasha Francis were both in attendance for the Hopkinsville City Council Ward 1 debate on Oct. 21. Republican candidate Vance Smith was unable to attend.

Markeeta Wilkerson

Markeeta Wilkerson’s opening remarks indicated that her platform would focus on modernized infrastructure, community connections and substantial development.

When asked about potential teen programming in the city, Wilkerson proposed distributing needs assessment surveys in the school systems to see what teens in Hopkinsville are interested in, and then pool resources within nonprofits. She added that improving playgrounds and enhancing the skate park along with refurbishing the roller rink could be beneficial.

Wilkerson later said she would support an increase in the city budget to allow for an appropriate healthcare plan for government workers, and she thinks it is possible to reallocate funds to allow for appropriate coverage for workers. She said she would not support  payroll tax cuts for small businesses saying, “We are trying to bring local businesses in and sustain them, and if we are having cuts in different places, then we are going to have to come up with monies, and that’s not an easy task.”

They were also asked about dealing with the unhoused population in the city, housing needs, and what community groups they participate in along with accomplishments within their ward. Wilkerson spoke about her engagement with outreach with the Fun Zone in Hopkinsville, and although she is new to being zoned to Ward 1, she has already found connections including knocking on doors and having talks.

“If elected, I promise to be dedicated to the power of the people, assist to strategically build up our constituents and to work alongside other dedicated vested stakeholders to move our community forward,” said Wilkerson in her closing statement.

Natasha Francis

Natasha Francis currently holds the Ward 1 seat and became a write-in candidate after Vance Smith won the primary. She opened the forum speaking about her nonprofit work in the city, and the connection and communication she maintains with her ward.

“What the city can do is help contribute funds from time to time as they need it,” said Francis when asked about teen programing in Hopkinsville. She mentioned that Hopkinsville already has great programs for kids and teens at the Hopkinsville Boys and Girls Club, and through programs like Men 2 Be.

Another question from the moderator touched on the city being able to afford the rising host of health insurance for government workers. Francis agreed that supplying insurance is important, but the health insurance company should be the one to solve the funding issue. She later supported the idea of tax cuts to help sustain “mom and pop” shops and give small businesses any cut they can get.

In continued discussions, Francis shared more about her collaboration with neighbors regarding road repairs and storm cleanup in the ward as well as helping facilitate the renaming of Pastor CE Timberlake Way.

Francis ended the forum saying in part, “To be a council person you must have a strong stomach, a clean heart and most of the time you have to think fast on your feet. Most important, you have to have a relationship with your community.”

For more

Full video of the debate, and other debates for the upcoming election can be found on the League of Women Voters Facebook page as they continue leading up to Election Day.

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