City Council candidates for Ward 10 discuss small businesses, issues for residents during forum

Ward 10 City Council Republican candidate Mike Velez, and Democratic candidate Andre Gold attended the forum and debate on Oct. 24.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The League of Women Voters is hosting forums for the upcoming election for all candidates in Hopkinsville. Ward 10 City Council Republican candidate Mike Velez, and Democratic candidate Andre Gold attended the forum and debate on Oct. 24.

Andre Gold

Gold opened up the debate by saying, “I am choosing to run because any time I’ve visited anywhere else, they always knew a place called Hoptown. It put a lot of pride in me about what this city has not only done here, but how this city is represented in other places.”

During the forum, Gold was clear that if he was on the city council, he would not favor a payroll tax cuts for small businesses. When asked about the issue of vacant lots in the city, he said this is an ongoing issue in Hopkinsville, and he believes it needs immediate and ongoing attention.

The moderator asked the candidates what the biggest concern in their ward was, and Gold said that the condition of the sidewalks in the neighborhoods are a major safety concern for citizens, along with debris left from construction companies.

“If we are going to increase business and people coming into our city, they have to feel comfortable,” said Gold when asked about the city planning in relation to traffic issues that come with developing more commerce. He later noted that if people in the community want more, they have to give more in regard to taxes to fund infrastructure.

“We need to bring our constituents, our future constituents, we need to bring them in and let them see as well as know what’s going on in the city,” said Gold in his closing statement, mentioning that the growing homeless problem in Hopkinsville needs to be addressed by the city.

Mike Velez

“I love this city, and like all of you I want to see it grow, thrive, and be a place where everyone feels proud to live. That requires strong leadership, clear vision, commitment to solving the challenges we face,” said Velez during his opening statement. “I’m ready to advocate for practical common-sense solutions that benefit us all.”

Valez shared about his 43 years of experience in law enforcement, and that he continues to volunteer with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office while being President of the Fraternal Order of Police in Hopkinsville. He said that his experience has taught him the importance of having a positive relationship with HPD. “People are beautiful, people are fantastic. Everyone can have a bad day, everyone here is a moment away from a bad day, it could happen to anyone.”

Later in the forum, Valez said he would support a payroll tax cut for small businesses in the city, adding that the city needs good people and good businesses. He also said the city needs to continue to grow and thrive, adding that he does not want to see Hopkinsville become Clarksville, but thinks they need to plan for more commerce. He also believes if more jobs were available here, people would not have to look for work in other cities.

“Tonight, we’ve heard a few ideas about how to move our city forward, but at the end of the day what matters most is how we as a community come together to create real lasting change,” said Velez at the end of the forum. In his closing statement, he added that the best solutions come from listening to each other and believes he can be a voice for residents.