The League of Women Voters held debate forums recently, and the two challengers facing off in Ward 2 for Hopkinsville City Council squared off.
Incumbent Democrat Kimberly McCarley is challenged by independent Ron Hicks, and one of the topics of discussion was community safety. Specifically, the question concerned two new parks on Durrett Avenue and East Second Street that were called unsafe during the form. Hicks, who has served on the Hopkinsville Police Department for many years as a volunteer chaplain, questioned what made them unsafe. He believes in encouraging stronger relationships between the police department and the community would help people feel safer out in the community.
McCarley also spoke of her support of the police department, saying that everyone needs to come together and discuss the best method of making the community safer as whole.
Concerning the homeless population in the city, McCarley says safety needs to be addressed soon for every party involved, and make sure everyone has a place to live and be healthy. She says agencies already exist that can help, and citizens are able to donate to those causes.
Hicks says many of the homeless are struggling with mental illness or drug addiction, and need help getting their life back on track—not just having a place to put them out of sight—and he wants to bring multiple agencies to come together and figure out a solution.
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