#LocalElectionsMatter: Ward 3 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?
Brent Wall: My approach to combat the damage that has been caused by the pandemic and to develop recovery efforts would be to get a detailed assessment from city leaders to see what resources are available to assist the community and if any other resources could be acquired to help. Not only would I like to disperse any assistance that we can to alleviate some of the community burdens, I would strongly encourage educating our community and leaders on preventive measures to be put in a place so that if we were to face the same or similar situation, we would be better prepared.
Matt Welborn: Continue to listen to the guidance from the experts and adjust accordingly to what is happening in Lexington. With not being an expert, my feelings are that we should continue to encourage citizens to do what they feel is best for them, and most importantly, the safest for them. It will take time for some citizens to feel more comfortable than others and that is okay. By encouraging our citizens to venture out to support our local businesses that will help our
2. What are your ideas to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Lexington?
Wall: My ideas to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Lexington is simple now I will say we have taken measures in the right direction, but it would have to continue to be intentional by promoting and supporting our local city education system as well as our community, consistent open dialog on all levels, marketing, community outreach, recruitment, and transparency.
Welborn: The most important thing we can do to continue our path toward continuing to promote diversity is to live by the Golden Rule, it is vital to treat others like we as individuals want to be treated. That all starts with kindness. I feel Lexington is on the right path but there is always more work to be done. The City of Lexington employees are a great place to start. This group of people is very diverse and inclusive with people from many different ethnicities, backgrounds and beliefs. They city has recently hired Dr. Patricia Smyre as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. After hearing a brief presentation, it is clear that she has a great vision and is working with members of the local community to create a strategic plan for our future. I think the first recognition of pioneers and influencers with the Black History Banners in the city is a great start with educating our community on the impacts these citizens have had. To become a fully diverse and inclusive community it will take time. The most important thing that we can do as citizens is to be willing to learn and most importantly, be kind.
3. What improvements in infrastructure do you support that would help with the rebuilding of the Depot District and other parts of Lexington?
Wall: First, I would like to say I am very excited about the depot district and its growth. I believe that Lexington could be a model for growing cities with the proper infrastructures and measures. I think that improving infrastructures such as roads, buildings, lighting, signage, etc., and making some of these areas more appealing for the community and visitors would increase and be valuable investment. We want to ensure that the Depot District is a vibrant and thriving location that is inclusive and welcoming to all our citizens and that it is an equitable representation of our entire city. Support for our homeless holds a special place in my heart! Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 25:40, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye had done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.’
Welborn: Sound infrastructure is vital in a small community but also one of the most expensive items. From what I have learned the majority of the infrastructure in the Depot District is in place which is ideal for the continued development of that area. There may be some items that need to be moved but overall the site is ready as far as infrastructure is concerned. Any other expense for additional infrastructure outside the normal will be the responsibility of the developer. The citywide infrastructure as far as roads, underground water mains and sewer lines are aging. The city also has a water plant that is over 100 years old and a water treatment plant that needs to be replaced. These are all big ticket items that take a long-term plan to upgrade. We need to make sure that the repair and replacement plans are feasible and address the most concerning areas first.
4. What is your opinion on the best way to support our homeless population in the wake of increasing poverty due to the pandemic?
Wall: Now, in my opinion, the best way to support the homeless population and to deescalate the increasing poverty level would be to develop collaborative effort with the various community leaders such as city leadership, the faith-based community, business community, and supportive resources. I think the implementation of a community-based task force would be a great place to start to collectively and strategically address these concerns.
Welborn: Crisis Ministry of Davidson County (now Davidson County First Hope Ministries) does a great job with the Homeless Shelter. The local community organizations, citizens and churches also do a terrific job in helping support the Homeless Shelter with meals and overnight stays. One of the biggest things we can do to help the homeless population is to continue to provide them with a nice facility and to have opportunities for job skills training where we can work with businesses to get the homeless citizens a job in the workforce. With the continued economic development in the city there are more jobs on the horizon that will need to be filled. There is currently a plan to for DC First Hope Ministries to build a new shelter and combine the facility with job training and educational opportunities along with the Salvation Army. This will be a tremendous asset to our local homeless citizens and it is important for the city to support this organization and mission.
5. If you could choose one word to describe what you want your impact on Lexington to be, what would it be?
Wall: One word to describe what I want my impact on Lexington to be is “GENUINE.” I want people to know I genuinely love this city, and I genuinely want what is best for the city.
Welborn: Integrity. If I’m able to be elected to City Council I want people to remember that I was honest, had strong moral principles and did things the right way.
