The Rotary Club of Hopkinsville heard from both men who are running to be mayor of Hopkinsville Tuesday,.
Democrat Wendell Lynch is currently serving as mayor after being appointed to the position after former Mayor Carter Hendricks stepped down from that role. Republican J.R. Knight is challenging Lynch in a special mayoral election for the job. COVID-19 and the impacts it’s had on the community was a large part of the discussion, with Knight saying businesses downtown are struggling to stay afloat and there needs to be further investment into that area.
Lynch says he would continue to support existing businesses and push for other incentives to attract people to invest in the downtown area.
On the subject of non-partisan elections in Hopkinsville, Lynch—who vetoed a non-partisan measure that was passed by city council with a 6 to 5 vote in July—says he would like for the community to be able to participate in discussions on that before passing anything.
Knight recommended putting it on the ballot and letting the people vote on if they would be in-favor of non-partisan elections.
Both men agreed that the public library is of vital importance to the citizens of Hopkinsville and Christian County and needs to continue to be funded. Knight says the biggest problem facing Hopkinsville’s growth are competitive cities such as Clarksville having different taxing methods and he would push for the state legislature to make a change. Lynch says the city needs to come up with new ways to attract industry and people to the area while competing with other cities.