Candidates running for Hopkinsville City Council debated during last week’s Christian County Republican Party and Young Republican forums and this morning we feature candidates in Wards 7 and 9.
Republicans Ardell Owens and Jamie Lienberger are facing off in a primary for the right to face longtime incumbent Ward 9 Councilmember Patricia Bell in November.
On the topic of sufficiently funding public safety, Lienberger says city council needs to get its budget priorities in order and suggests attempting to sell the Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center.
Owens believes Hopkinsville police are on the right path and cites recent success with its flock cameras as evidence.
Owens says the city needs to find ways to attract people to the city to create a workforce for more high-paying jobs and Lienberger says the city needs more things for families to do to get them to live here and says the area could be more military-friendly.
In Ward 7, Mark Graham and Doug Wilcox are both striving to receive the GOP nomination for that seat. Graham says he would look to further enhance the relationship the city has with Fort Campbell, to try and draw more military families here.
Wilcox says his time serving in the Air Force gives him an insight into what military families are looking for, and he would work to generate more entertainment opportunities and economic development.
Whoever wins that race will go on to face Democrat challenger William Coleman in the November General election.
Watch all of the City Council debates by clicking here.