City Commission Candidates Participate in Forum

Paducah City Commission candidates participated in a virtual forum Thursday night hosted by the Paducah-McCracken County Chapter of the NAACP, West Kentucky Community and Technical College, and TTTE Media Group.

Eight of the nine candidates for city commission participated in the forum, which was aired on Facebook Live on the Paducah NAACP page and on channel 2. Carol Gault was unable to participate due to illness. Participants were given an opportunity to respond to eight questions which they had been given in advance, covering a wide range of issues.

One question candidates were asked to respond to was whether they supported the building of the proposed recreation and aquatic center in Paducah. All of the candidates indicated that they were not in support of building the center at this time.

Raynaldo Henderson answered first, saying, "I do not disagree with the concept of an aquatic center. I disagree with the timing of the aquatic center. I have some concerns to spend the kind of money that we're talking about spending on an aquatic center when there are infrastructure challenges right here in the city of Paducah."

Other candidates seemed to agree that the timing of the project was a major concern. Lakilia Bedau said that although she fully believes in health and wellness, there are other priorities at this time, such as transportation issues and funds for public service workers.

Current commissioner Sandra Wilson said, "These projects have been talked about in our community for decades now." She said that at times she has supported the building of the center, and felt it would have shown Paducah as a progressive community. However, she said that the commission has currently paused the project and she supported that decision. Wilson continued, "I think our focus now has to be on rebounding and recovering our economy and our local community."

Other candidates were opposed to building the center at all.

Robert Shy stated he was emphatically against the building of the center, saying that the city just needs a regular recreation center. "Before we build a great structure, let's just build something that normal citizens can use," replied Shy.

"Our revenues are too uncertain," said Melinda Winchester. "There's already been a projected deficit for five years to begin with."

John "Buzz" Von Tesmar and Mike Reed echoed Winchester's sentiments. 

"Developing this is not a job description for the mayor or commissioners," said Von Tesmar. "If this was a viable plan, it would be developed by private business, and it would already exist."

"We already have an aquatic center. It's called the Paducah Athletic Club," said Reed. He continued by saying that he favored continuing to use what we have.

Several questions asked candidates how they would address diversity in the community, including what they would do to make all citizens feel welcome and included.

Some of the answers from candidates included re-opening the city commission meetings to public comments, holding meetings in different areas of town, including more diversity on city boards, and developing grants for potential small business owners.

You can see the entire forum below: