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Updates from the Office of Mayor Jim Gray
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February 2018 Newsletter

Lexington's new Police Chief Lawrence Weathers celebrates with Councilmembers and a record-breaking crowd at City Hall.

Lawrence Weathers named new Lexington Police Chief
Mayor Jim Gray has named Lawrence Weathers Lexington's next Police Chief. Weathers is a former Assistant Chief of the Lexington Police Department. Calling it an important day for public safety, Gray said Weathers is a man with universal respect. Weathers, a 27-year veteran of the department, said he wants to give back by sharing his knowledge and experience.

Mayor Jim Gray reports on the State of the City.

The State of the City
Excerpts from the 2018 State of the City Address

In Lexington, we’ve been getting things done, making progress the right way.

Since my first State of the City Address in 2011, we have moved from deep deficits to financial stability; from an underfunded police-fire pension to a sustainable one; from multi-million dollar employee health care subsidies to responsible plans; and from higher unemployment to one of the lowest jobless rates in the country.

Our police and fire departments are fully staffed and have the best equipment and facilities.

We were recognized in 2016 as the 6th best managed City in the country, and again in 2017 as the 5th best managed city in the country. We’re known as a great place to do business, and as one of the top travel and food destinations in the country!

Creating Good-Paying Jobs
Since 2011 our economy has produced almost 20,000 new jobs with more people employed in Lexington than at any time in our history.

Average pay in Lexington has increased by more than five percent.

Our unemployment rate today is 3.2 percent, which is lower than the nation and lower than the state.

Running Government Efficiently
City Hall makes smart investments with taxpayer dollars to run government efficiently.

We started 2011 with an estimated $20 million deficit. Pension and employee health care expenses had reached unsustainable levels.

Now, we can say that we’ve had surpluses every year since we started. And we’ve done this while fulfilling our commitments to both our hardworking employees and our proud retirees. And without raising taxes. 

Public Safety
Public Safety is always number one in our budget. This year, we made a big increase in our investment in Public Safety with the addition of 30 police officers, and 12 firefighters.

That’s the biggest one-year increase in “boots on the ground” in public safety in our city's history.

Fighting Against Opioids
Our firefighters are often our first line of defense in the opioid battle. The epidemic has put a heavy burden on our emergency medical crews, and this year we added a new emergency medical buggy, fully staffed.

We have engaged many partners to help us save lives, including the faith community.

Building a Great American City
We are expanding and renovating the Convention Center. This is one of the most significant public investments ever made in Lexington.
 
Our Historic Courthouse, will re-open this spring with a new mission and a new and welcoming message to everyone. 

And the City is starting construction of Town Branch Commons, a strip of Bluegrass that will wind through downtown. It will connect our two major trails, giving us 22 miles of uninterrupted trail connecting downtown to our world-famous rural landscape.


Parks & Recreation
We’ve been working on parks projects all over town, investing $16.7 million to improve our greenspace.

We opened a money-saving splash park at Masterson Station last summer, and have plans for three more at Jacobson, Douglass and Castlewood. And we have new playgrounds at Jacobson, Douglass, Woodland and Castlewood parks. All are accessible for children with disabilities.  

A Gigabit City
MetroNet is creating a new world-class fiber optic network in Lexington. It will offer ultrafast internet that will attract high tech businesses, and provide quality competition for telephone and cable TV services. The company will invest $70 million in our city, making Lexington the nation’s largest gigabit city.

The Future is Bright
We’ve been getting things done in Lexington. We’ve proven we know how to overcome challenges and come out ahead. When good people work together, anything is possible.

Read the full text of the State of the City address here.

Mayor Jim Gray joins city and state leaders and citizens for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Freedom March through downtown Lexington.

City Remembers Martin Luther King, Jr.
Citizens from all over Lexington and Central Kentucky gathered on January 15 in downtown Lexington for the annual celebrations that remember the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Songs and prayers filled Heritage Hall for the annual Unity Breakfast before moving outside for the 44th Annual Freedom March. The celebrations continued with the Commemorative Holiday Program that featured Tim Wise, one of the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the country.

Preston Worley speaks after being sworn in as the new 7th District Councilmember.

Preston Worley named 7th District Councilmember
Mayor Jim Gray named Preston Worley as the new 7th District Councilmember, replacing Jennifer Scutchfield, who resigned her seat to take a positon with the Kentucky State Board of Elections. Preston is an attorney.
Thanks to Principal Shaiah Ford, Tiffany Runion, and the teachers and staff at Coventry Oak Elementary. The kindergarten students and I enjoyed reading Jean Marzollo's "Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King" with illustrations by J. Brian Pinkney.
Congratulations to Dr. Marvin Mills, who was awarded the French Legion of Honor, the highest decoration bestowed by France. Dr. Mills was recognized for his service in France during World War II.
Councilmember James Brown, right joins me in congratulating the Douglass Dolphins youth football team members on their 2nd place tournament finish in Atlanta. We are proud of these young men who also contribute to their city by volunteering, picking up trash and helping in their neighborhood.
The annual Holiday Bazaar and Open House at the Lexington Senior Center brings together many great Lexington artisans. It has become a fun and wonderful holiday tradition.
While many of us gathered at Camp Nelson National Cemetery to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans, thousands more gathered at National Cemeteries around the country as part of Wreaths Across America.
World famous banjo player Bela Fleck spent the early days of his career right here in Lexington. We were proud to proclaim "Bela Fleck Day" during a recent performance at Lexington's Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour.
Leon Buford-Kelly and the young men of the Kappa League at Leestown Middle School are making a difference in our community. They are dedicated, involved and actively participating by giving and investing in others.
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