City Council Ward Four candidates discuss partisan politics, public transport

Hopkinsville City Council Ward Four Republican incumbent, Chuck Crabtree and candidate Faye Hendricks shared their stances on multiple community matters at Monday’s forum hosted by the Hopkinsville League of Women Voters.

Crabtree and Hendricks discussed topics surrounding partisan politics, public transportation and what they would do if the city received a grant of $1 million.

The pair were asked if partisan politics will affect how they conduct themselves if elected to the council. Both Crabtree and Hendricks say partisan politics will not impact their service to the community.

Hendricks shared that she participated in a study that looked at how partisan politics plays a role in local government, and she says the study revealed that partisan politics affect election outcomes more than the governing that occurs. Hendricks says she is running to serve everyone regardless of their political party.

Crabtree says he is conservative Republican which may influence his outlook on societal topics, but on the local level he says party lines do not play a role in how he approaches his job as a council member.

The pair were then asked if they believe current public transportation options will meet the community’s needs as local industries grow. Hendricks says she would like to expand the bussing that transports workers to city industrial parks and would also like to see more neighborhoods be connected by sidewalks.

In regards to bus transportation, Crabtree says the busses ran by the Pennyrile Allied Community Services (PACS) may not always run at convenient times for workers. Crabtree proposed working with PACS and companies at the industrial parks to establish public transit that aligns with worker schedules.

The full Ward Four Republican debate is available on Facebook at League of Women Voters – Hopkinsville, KY. Crabtree and Hendricks will appear on this year’s primary election ballot on May 21.