As we move along in our series on the recent League of Women Voters forums, we focus on the race between two candidates running as independents for Hopkinsville City Council in Ward 4.
Incumbent Paul Henson had to drop out due to health concerns, leaving Brad Garabrandt and Chuck Crabtree in the race.
Both candidates support non-partisan elections in the city. Crabtree says he is glad city residents were given more time to give input and to learn about the issue and Garabrandt believes the change would encourage voters to choose the best candidate instead of deciding based on party alone.
It’s unlikely the pandemic will be completely over by the time the new Ward 4 councilman takes his seat in January, but Crabtree says he would not support any mandate requiring mask-wearing to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Garabrandt believes the science shows facial coverings work and he believes wearing a mask can protect those most vulnerable to the virus.
Neither candidate would support petitioning the General Assembly for authority to institute a restaurant tax to create new revenue. Garabrandt cited addressing housing concerns as a priority and Crabtree wants to look into dealing with persistent storm water runoff issues in some neighborhoods in his ward.
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