Apr 5

Apr 5 #LocalElectionsMatter: Ward 1 City Council Candidates

Sidney Briggs, our first intern at Davidson Local, approached us a couple of months ago with an idea. As a soon to be high school graduate who will be voting for the first time this fall, being an informed voter is of utmost importance to Sidney. She also believes her fellow citizens should have access to information that will assist them in the voting booth.

For over a month, Sidney has been calling candidates running for Lexington City Council, Mayor of Lexington, Lexington City Schools Board of Education and Davidson County Commissioners to collect their email addresses. She has begun the process of submitting questions to them in an effort to share their platform.

This week, we will publish answers from the council and mayoral candidates. Answers are verbatim.

We appreciate Sidney’s commitment to her fellow residents.

-Kassaundra Shanette

1. What are your plans to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and recover from the damage it has already caused?

Esther Adams-Neely: In order to combat the Covid19 pandemic we all must make adjustment to the new norm. We all must understand and comply with the CDC and Health administration guideline, recommendations and accept the fact that Covid-19 is not visible with the naked eye. Understand that Covid-19 does not discriminate against ethnicity, sex, age or religion. Knowledge is power in combating Covid-19. When we know better we do better.
Rev. Dr. Keith Curry: Continue to follow the guidelines of state agencies. Masks are optional, but I would continue the practice of social distancing. Recovery is ongoing with a focus on educational awareness to the public on the benefits of vaccinations. The aim is to minimize the deadliness of variants.
Vivian Royal: My idea would be to continue and support that safety reminders are placed in all City offices and public locations. Reminding people to wash their hands, keep proper distance, and cover when coughing/sneezing. Continue to reduce the spread.

2. What are your ideas to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Lexington?

Adams-Neely: In order to promote Diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Lexington we must first recognize that we all are different in our own unique way and looks. We all have a body, mind, spirit and a Heart. Until man have a change of mind and heart and know that it’s okay to be different. Different but equal and come together as one then and only then will diversity , inclusion and belonging flourish in Lexington.
Curry: Incorporate the commitment to diversity and inclusion in the Vision Statement. The leadership should work to make the vision a reality, so the unity within our city government is strong. Hiring should be an intentional process, so opportunities for growth and upward movement are possible. This ensures our workforce represents the diversity that defines us. Celebrate people and different cultures, so everyone feels valued. I view “belonging” as sharing your thoughts without fear. Honest communication can solve problems and reduce frustration.
Royal: Ideas will be to work with the City of Lexington DEI Officer to bring more awareness to citizens in the Lexington area. My idea will also be to make sure new businesses and existing merchants are helping to promote DEI in their business.

3. What improvements in infrastructure do you support that would help with the rebuilding of the Depot District and other parts of Lexington?

Adams-Neely: Infrastructure meaning the underlying foundation or basic framework. Improvements are very much needed in the Depot District and Lexington as a whole. Rundown buildings and houses need to be brought up to a standard code or torn down.
Vacant lots would be less of an eye sore than rundown unsafe and unhealthy buildings and houses.
Curry: Work with the NCDOT Rail Division to establish a rail hub in the Depot District. A regional train stop creates economic growth opportunities. A Recreation Center is needed because it keeps children in a safe environment. The center can serve as a refuge for at-risk youth. Develop an area improvement plan for blighted neighborhoods. This includes a streetscape/beautification plan. I know the city government must have a balanced budget, so grants could be a funding source.
Royal: The infrastructure of the Depot area is continuing to work in phases and much attention is being given to the project. I would like to also work on projects throughout Lexington to keep Lexington clean. My focus will be the city's ordinance on litter, and the basis on enforcing violation of the ordinance and adding more litter programs by working in partnerships with other groups in the city.

4. What is your opinion on the best way to support our homeless population in the wake of increasing poverty due to the pandemic?

Adams-Neely: It’s my opinion the homeless population and poverty has been in need of restructure long before the pandemic. Homeless living should not be a way of life. Encourage, teach and educate homeless how to become independent living individuals and families. Introduce ways of survival and stability in the community with affordable and decent housing.
Curry: I think we need systems of data collection that can be shared between service providers. This information can lead to the development of some prevention plans. Job training along with housing options through partnerships is an important first step.
Royal: My ideas on supporting the homeless population in the wake of increasing poverty which increased more due to the pandemic. I would like to speak with our local faith based community leaders about a "White flag" program. In larger cities I have heard of their white flag programs, which is a collaboration of different faith based organizations opening up their fellowship halls, sanctuary for emergency safe places for the homeless population. Such as when the pandemic hit the white flag could have been sites where the homeless could have gone for covid-19 attention, for mask, sanitizer, testing, vaccinations. Also the white flag programs can serve as a safe place for the homeless population to stay overnight when temperatures dip below freezing. I think we can pull together in the City and take care of one another.

5. If you could choose one word to describe what you want your impact on Lexington to be, what would it be?