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 Magistrate Russ Guffey in response.

Russ Guffey’s first 100 days in office

“While the new Mayor will officially take office on Jan. 1, I believe there is plenty of knowledge to be gained starting Nov. 4. If elected, the basis for my first 100 days will unofficially begin then.

Phase I of my plan would be to meet with the mayor, city staff, department heads, city attorney, current and newly elected council members, city-affiliated entities (like HES, HWEA, HSWE, etc.), city-affiliated boards (like Stormwater, LDC, Landbank, etc.), and county/regional/state partners (like Fiscal Court, PeADD, KLC, etc.).

Input I’ve received from the public and data drawn from my “Hoptown 2050” initiative will be shared and overlaid with these stakeholder’s feedback and expertise.

Then, starting Jan. 1, Phase II incorporates city personnel and council members on existing and new committees and boards, with specific emphasis on including interested community members and subject-matter-experts. Dialogue will be focused, open, posted, and tracked via the city’s website and social media channels.

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Phase III commences as accurate, actionable, and achievable plans begin being shared with the public. Feedback will be sought from additional “Hoptown 2050” surveys, Town Halls, and my newly-instituted “Ward Walks,” where I and the council representatives talk one-on-one with residents, businesses, and organizations about their wishes and needs.

These firsthand interactions will help tweak any adjustments to the understanding and objectives of our city’s plan moving forward.

Phase IV begins the rollout of the final results and suggestions, and introduces the various ways the city, staff, departments, council, entities, boards, partners – and the public – can move forward. This truly inclusive, community-created plan will transition from a complaint-driven past to solution-oriented future. Key areas will address all the “Live, Work, Visit, Play, and Stay” components.

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Some examples include new housing, blight reduction, and public safety; diversified workforce recruitment, business retainment, and entrepreneurial expansion; new retail, restaurants, and historic preservation; additional recreation amenities, entertainment options, and multi purpose/generation facilities; beautification, environmental programs, and population recruitment and retention; heritage conservation, Ft. Campbell support and engagement, and other initiatives the residents deem vital.

Ultimately, the goal of the first 100 days is to not only confirm where Hopkinsville currently stands but also establish a clear understanding of where the city wants to go and measurable objectives of how and when to accomplish these desires.

As mayor, my hope is to reestablish a trust and relationship between the municipality and households, elected officials and voters, departments and residents, and city services and consumers.”