Republican City Council Ward One candidates discuss local issues at forum

Republicans Vance Smith and Chance Andrew Tatum are going head-to-head for Hopkinsville City Council’s Ward One seat, and the pair recently debated over local matters at a forum hosted by the Hopkinsville league of Women Voters.

Smith is approaching the end of his first council member term and is seeking reelection, but in the primary election, he is being challenged by Tatum. The pair shared their stances on topics such as the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, nonpartisan elections and issues impacting the city.

The act ensures landlords comply with building codes and abide by tenant rights. Tatum has worked as a handyman and says a lot of the residential blight he comes across is a result of landlord neglect, so he would like the city to implement an act requiring landlords to take better care of their properties.

In response to residential blight, Smith did not say whether he would like to implement an act, but shared that he helped start the Hoptown Ward One Beautification Group, which works to address issues between tenants and landlords concerning poorly maintained properties. Moving forward, he says the group can work with the City’s Code Enforcement Department to better address dilapidated properties.

Tatum believes Hopkinsville is facing a homelessness issue, and says some people who receive mental health and addiction treatment have nowhere to go afterward and end up homeless. He says the lack of post-treatment services and support programs fuels the cycle of homelessness.

A majority of city councils across Kentucky are nonpartisan, making Hopkinsville an outlier. Smith says he supports moving to nonpartisan elections because it will invite people to learn more about the candidates rather than relying on political party loyalties.

The primary election is on May 19, and the winner of the Republican race will face Democratic Candidate Sharon Manning in the general election.