HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – With early voting taking place Oct. 29-31 and Election Day comes up soon after on Nov. 3, Hopkinsville residents will be faced with the decision of choosing a new mayor for the city. The Republican candidate is Russ Guffey, the Democratic candidate is Markeeta Wilkerson and the Independent candidate is Desaepa Vansauwa. 

To help voters with their choice on the ballot, Christian County Now is publishing articles on plans for their first 100 days in office, if elected. Here is the entire submission from Desaepa Vansauwa in response.

Desaepa Vansauwa’s first 100 days

In this plan:

Hopkinsville deserves a city government that listens, leads with integrity and delivers practical progress for the people it serves. Throughout this campaign, I have listened to residents, families, young people, small-business owners, workers, and community leaders. Their concerns have reinforced something I believe deeply: the future of Hopkinsville must be built with its people, not simply planned for them.

Residents have shared concerns about public safety, housing, roads, sidewalks, flooding, youth opportunities, local businesses, downtown revitalization and the responsible management of our community’s resources. They want a city where children can grow up with opportunity, families can find safe and affordable housing, businesses can succeed, and neighborhoods receive the attention they deserve. These concerns are not isolated issues. They are connected to the quality of life and future of our community.

As Mayor of Hopkinsville, my first 100 days will focus on listening, establishing clear priorities, building partnerships and beginning measurable work toward solutions. I understand that meaningful progress takes time, collaboration and responsible planning. My commitment is to make those first 100 days count by establishing a foundation for an administration that is accessible, transparent and accountable to the people.

Making Neighborhood Safety a Priority

I look for opportunities to improve sidewalks, street lighting, traffic signals and pedestrian crossings every day. We must pay particular attention to areas where residents face daily risks walking to school, traveling to work or accessing essential services. Hearing about two students hit leaving school last week should not be just another headline. It should be an immediate collaboration between the city and school system to remedy this road safety hazard.

I will prioritize accountability and transparency in public safety. Residents deserve clear information about how traffic and pedestrian stops are conducted by law enforcement, why they occur, and what their outcomes reveal. I will advocate for consistent reporting and independent review of available data to identify and address unjustified patterns. At the same time, I will work with community partners to strengthen safety resources that support crime prevention, youth development and neighborhood well-being alongside the work of law enforcement.

Safety also means addressing stormwater drainage and flooding issues. We cannot repeat the slow response to the snow and ice storm of January 2026 or the floods of 2024. These are essential public responsibilities, not optional improvements. My administration will work to identify the most urgent needs, establish priorities and pursue practical funding and implementation plans before the next storm.
Investing in Our Youth, Workforce and Local Economy

Hopkinsville’s future depends on the opportunities we create today. Our young people deserve access to mentorship, job training, paid apprenticeships and meaningful pathways into the workforce. During my first 100 days, I will work to bring local employers, schools, nonprofits, workforce-development organizations and community leaders together to identify opportunities that connect young people with real jobs and career skills. I will continue the Mayor’s Youth Council, while looking for opportunities to increase real-world opportunities for more teens across the community.

We must strengthen the organizations already working to protect, mentor and prepare our youth. Supporting these efforts should mean reducing unnecessary barriers, coordinating resources and helping programs reach more residents. I will also pursue partnerships that create workforce opportunities for returning residents, helping connect them with local businesses, transportation and essential services so they have a stronger chance to rebuild their lives and contribute to our community.

Local businesses are equally important to Hopkinsville’s future. Our independently owned businesses, vendors, farms and entrepreneurs deserve opportunities to grow and reach more customers. I will work toward increasing the visibility of local businesses through city-supported events and communication channels.

I also want to explore practical business-development coaching, access to available grants and develop a resource database that helps entrepreneurs identify opportunities. By encouraging local procurement and stronger relationships between farmers, food-service businesses and vendors, we can keep more economic activity connected to Hopkinsville.

Addressing Housing and Strengthening Infrastructure

Housing affordability and availability are major concerns for our community. Addressing the shortage of housing requires cooperation, careful planning and a willingness to examine the barriers that prevent development. My administration will work with relevant city departments, property owners, builders, housing organizations and other partners to review current processes, identify outdated requirements and explore opportunities to encourage affordable and workforce housing.

We must pursue these efforts responsibly, balancing development with neighborhood needs, sound planning and fiscal discipline. I will seek practical approaches that make it easier to move housing projects forward while ensuring that decisions serve the long-term benefit of Hopkinsville residents.

Downtown revitalization must continue by focusing on essentials. Before investing in flashy new projects, we should focus on parking, safe crossings, accessible sidewalks and public spaces that allow residents and businesses to thrive. A stronger downtown should build on what is already working, support established businesses and create conditions where new enterprises grow naturally.

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Making City Government More Transparent and Accountable

Residents deserve to know how public money is spent, how priorities are selected and whether city programs are delivering results. I believe accountability must be built into the way the government operates.

During my first 100 days, I want to establish a clear process for reviewing performance information and reporting progress to the community. Where appropriate, I will advocate for measurable pilot programs and opportunities for residents to provide feedback on results. The public should be able to understand what the city is working on, what challenges remain and what steps will come next.

Responsible budgeting will be central to this effort. Before adding new recurring expenses, my administration will pursue state and federal grants and other appropriate funding opportunities. A grant-first approach does not mean avoiding necessary investments. It means examining resources, making sound financial decisions and ensuring that taxpayers receive the greatest possible value.

I will continue to encourage open public conversations about major decisions affecting our community, including data centers and their potential effects on water, energy, public infrastructure and the environment. Economic development is important, but growth must be considered responsibly. Residents deserve transparency, meaningful opportunities to participate and clear safeguards when significant community resources are at stake.

Building an Inclusive Hopkinsville

A successful city is one where people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities can participate in community life. I will prioritize accessibility in our public spaces, including benches, restrooms, sidewalks, parking and wayfinding. Our downtown and neighborhood destinations should be easier to navigate for seniors, people with disabilities, families and visitors.

I will also work to strengthen relationships with neighborhood organizations, nonprofits, schools, farmers and other community partners. By improving coordination and sharing resources where appropriate, we can reduce duplication, respond more effectively to emergencies, and make better use of the people and organizations already doing valuable work.

Regional cooperation will be important as well. Hopkinsville’s challenges and opportunities do not stop at city limits. Practical partnerships with surrounding cities and counties can help us prepare for severe weather, support economic development and address shared needs more effectively.

Above all, I want residents to have regular opportunities to be heard. Neighborhood listening sessions and community meetings should not be limited to election season. They should be part of an ongoing relationship between city government and the people it serves.

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What the First 100 Days Will Mean

My first 100 days will be guided by three commitments: listen carefully, act responsibly, and report honestly.

My top priority will be listening to residents and working with city departments to understand existing projects, immediate needs, available resources and barriers to progress.

Secondly, I will work to establish practical priorities for the top concerns from residents:

  • Street and sidewalk safety
  • Water drainage
  • Youth and workforce opportunities
  • Small-business support
  • Housing
  • Downtown infrastructure
  • Accessibility
  • Responsible budgeting

It sounds like a lot, but we have staff in departments focused on these very things. Where action can begin promptly, I will pursue it. Where solutions require additional planning, funding or approval, I will work to identify the necessary steps and communicate them clearly.

Third, I will make accountability a continuing responsibility. Residents should receive meaningful updates on what has been started, what progress has been made, what remains unresolved and what the next steps will be.

I will not pretend every problem can be fixed in 100 days, but I will work to ensure that the first 100 days establish direction, responsibility and momentum. I recognize that the mayor cannot solve every challenge alone. Progress requires cooperation with Hopkinsville City Council, city employees, local organizations, businesses, regional partners and residents. My role will be to bring people together, establish clear priorities, encourage responsible action and help ensure that public service remains focused on the public good.

Hopkinsville has tremendous potential. We can build safer neighborhoods, create stronger opportunities for our youth, support local businesses, improve infrastructure and make city government more responsive to the people. Achieving these goals will require patience, collaboration, fiscal responsibility and consistent effort.

I am running for Mayor of Hopkinsville because I believe our community deserves practical leadership that listens and follows through. The first 100 days will be an opportunity to demonstrate that commitment.

Ten priorities. One Hopkinsville. One community working toward a stronger future.