HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Concerned citizens spoke their minds at the Hopkinsville Community Budget Forum on March 10. The goal of the meeting was to hear public input about the allocation of funding by the city ahead of budget planning for the new fiscal year.

Several people were present to share their concerns and ideas directly to the mayor. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here,” said Mayor J.R. Knight at the top of the meeting. “It shows me you care. It shows me you’re wanting to know what’s going on in your city. … This is not just my budget as mayor, this is the city’s budget.”

With one resident asking the city to invest in cleaning up neighborhoods, another insisting they pour more money into the library, and the Pennyroyal Arts Council urging the city to continue investing in their programs, there was a wide range of topics discussed.

Restoring Carnegie Library

Gwenda Motley spoke as a representative of the bell hooks Legacy Group, which was formed after the death of the beloved poet and author to share her life of legacy. As the sister of hooks, Motley proposed restoring the Carnegie Library in downtown Hopkinsville as the bell hooks Legacy Center. She shared her vision of the space as becoming a place for visitors to view hooks’ work, artifact collection, writings, and awards. It could also function as a meeting space for writing workshops, poetry readings, and an educational symposium for youth and adults.

“This is Hopkinsville’s chance to say thank you and to honor it’s citizen Gloria Jean Watkins (bell hooks),” said Motley. She has the goal of opening the space by Sept. 25, 2027, right on what would have been her sisters 75th birthday. They are soliciting financial support from the city to supply start-up money and will help hire a financial consultant to assist the foundation in raising additional funds and applying for grants.

Francine Gilmore with the Christian County Literacy Council also spoke in favor of the project, reminding the mayor that the poet spent a significant amount of her time growing up honing her skills at the Carnegie Library. Her worldwide impact was also brought up, implying that a dedicated separate space will attract people from all over and bring further interest in downtown.

Riverwalk and museum

Judge John Atkins also addressed the mayor about safety on the riverwalk in downtown Hopkinsville. He shared that downed trees and deteriorating conditions make it dangerous to walk on. Although he is aware the project will be expensive, he believes it is worth restoring.

“I know it fell into disuse ones the rail trial was completed, but it still has value I think,” Atkins said. His point of view was reflected by another present citizen, who has noticed the same issues.

With the focus remaining on downtown, people shared concerns about the city’s timeline and continued efforts to reopen the fire truck museum and fix the top of the Oddfellows building. Knight assured them that issues with insurance companies have stalled the projects, but it is in the works.

There were continued comments about financially supporting the growing mission of the Pennyroyal Museum, and the dedicated staff there, however possible. Kiley Killebrew, the museum board chair, insisted that the museum is worth further investing in.

“As local government representatives it’s your responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated wisely,” she said. “We must also not forget that those dollars we choose to spend on those quality-of-life initiatives are what give communities their spirit, and their sense of place and belonging.”

With councilmembers present during the meeting, recommendations for the allocation of funds will be passed along to the Future Funding Committee before the next fiscal year budget is set.

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