The Hopkinsville-Christian County League of Women Voters continued their debate forums Wednesday evening with the other half of the candidates running for Hopkinsville City Council, starting with the candidates for Ward 8.
Democrat Twyla Dillard and Republican Robert Terry Meek are facing off on the ballot and they fielded questions concerning job creation, population growth and more. On the subject of non-partisan elections, Meek says in a perfect world you wouldn’t need the designation of Republican or Democrat, but for now it helps people understand the candidates they’re choosing between.
Dillard says both partisan and non-partisan elections have their pros and cons, but she has no problem with how they are now.
Incumbent Democrat Patricia Bell in Ward 9 says she would support an ordinance that clearly defines the duties of tenants and landlords in the city.
Republican challenger Jamie Lienberger also supports a landlord and tenant ordinance, saying those are fairly common in other cities and would help support both parties.
In Ward 11, Republican incumbent Jason Bell squared off against Democrat Jose Quinonez—Bell says homelessness has become a real problem in Hopkinsville, and he would want to gather more information about what obstacles are keeping individuals homeless.
Quinonez says what the city needs is to have temporary housing available that would help people back onto their feet, but to do that they will need to find the funding to support it.
Republican Matthew Handy is facing longtime councilman, Democrat Phillip Brooks, and Handy says he has a vision of Hopkinsville that has fully funded police and fire departments, a reliable transportation system and more.
Brooks says his vision remains as it always has—making a difference by making the hard decisions that benefit Hopkinsville.
The League forums continue Thursday evening as candidates running for Christian Fiscal Court magistrate meet in debate. You can hear the entirety down below.
Ward 8:
https://www.facebook.com/lwvhopkinsville/videos/1315838622524891
Ward 9:
https://www.facebook.com/lwvhopkinsville/videos/1778847762499982
Ward 11:
https://www.facebook.com/lwvhopkinsville/videos/1564235890698424
Ward 12:
https://www.facebook.com/lwvhopkinsville/videos/635963104704507