HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – All present members of the Hopkinsville City Council were present during the Dec. 17 meeting as Mayor J.R. Knight recognized those who will not be returning as newly elected councilmembers take their seats next month.
Councilmembers Natasha Francis, Bruce Smiley, Doug Wilcox, Steve Keel, Robert Meek, Jamie L. Lienberger, and Matthew Handy will be leaving office following this fall’s election results. Mayor Knight awarded each of them with a plaque to signify their time on the city council. “I’d like to say thank you to my council, we’ve had a very interesting two years together,” said Knight. “I appreciate your help, your guidance in how we move the city forward.”
As the meeting wrapped up, a few of the parting members shared words of thanks to fellow councilmembers, the mayor, and the city. “You all have gifted me with a huge amount of knowledge,” said Meek to the council. “Thank you for all the contributions you’ve made to my life.”
Keel went on to thank city employees for their hard work in the community in helping solve issues around the city saying, “As someone who’s sat in this seat for four years, I just want to say thank you to that group because they’ve kind of made this old boy look better than he really is.”
“We all are here for the betterment of the city and for the citizens, so to each and every one of you and your staff, thank you very much.” added Lienberger.
Handy had a message to the new, incoming councilmembers that will be sworn in at the end of December, “Put people before party, policy before politics, and I think you all will do well.”
DOWNLOAD THE APP: Sign up for our free Christian County Now app