With a primary election just on the horizon, questions and concerns about Christian County’s District 4 came to light during Monday’s Hopkinsville League of Women Voters forum, as incumbent magistrate Darrell Gustafson and hopeful J.E. Pryor volleyed answers to the public.
Gustafson, in the seat for the past seven years, noted he’s a 33-year county resident who has a “passion as a public servant” — returning to the region long ago following his combat service in Vietnam.
Pryor, a lifelong county resident and third-generation farmer in Herndon, has been the county’s Farm Bureau president the last three years. And he said he wants to be a “new generation” of leaders for Hopkinsville and the area.
Among the most important queries presented, both lobbied for their top two priorities for the county if elected.
Gustafson noted the battle against inflation and the importance of job growth were at the top of his lists. And he doubled down on not raising taxes — one of the key ways in which the fiscal court generates revenue.
Pryor said public safety and the reduction of government spending were key areas he’d target if pushed through the Republican primary.
Recently, Kentucky’s House and Senate pushed through a law giving county governments full purview of their local libraries.
Asked if they would support the additional funding of Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, both Gustafson and Pryor agreed its financing would be pivotal for the citizens of Hopkinsville and its surrounding cities.
If there’s anything that could be changed in the district, Gustafson said he’d like to finish paving the seven miles of gravel still remaining, while assisting the homeless to find a better situation.
Pryor noted he’d immediately want to improve the communications with volunteer fire departments and between other local agencies.
Gustafson and Pryor answered six other questions before giving closing statements.
Full discussion:
