Hopkinsville City Council Ward One incumbent Darvin Adams and challenger Natasha Frances participated in a League of Women Voters forum this week to discuss major issues in their neighborhood.
Adams, a Democrat, said there is no magic wand or special potion that will eliminate the devastating negativity associated with crime in their neighborhoods. He added they have to come together to commit to fixing the issues that cause higher crime rates throughout the city.
Adams said three main issues for the city include small business development, public education, and affordable housing.
Frances, a Republican, has lived in the city for over 40 years and said she loves helping her community. She shared she has experience in business and industrial work, as well as being a mother and grandmother. Frances added she would like to make infrastructure improvements if she was elected to the ward seat.
When asked about nonpartisan elections for the city council seats, Adams said he was strongly against it when the conversation started as he believed it would’ve divided the city even further. He added he is willing to talk about it with other council members, if they want unity and believe it could help the city.
Frances said she would need more information on it before she made a final decision.
Both also support a restaurant tax, if state law changed that would allow them to levy it. Under current state law, cities like Hopkinsville, Louisville, and Lexington can not have a restaurant tax, which helps with tourism and other things. Currently, Cadiz, Oak Grove, and Madisonville have levied an additional tax.
