Lexington Herald Leader Chooses Jim Newberry And Jim Gray To Advance In Mayoral Primary, Gives Kudos To Teresa Isaac. Read More Below.
Newberry, Gray best choices for mayor
No reason to think Isaac would do any better than last time
Lexington voters will find no shortage of experience on a mayoral ballot that features a mayor, vice mayor and former mayor.
The two candidates who receive the most votes in the May 18 primary will advance to the General Election in November.
Based on their records, we recommend Mayor Jim Newberry and Vice Mayor Jim Gray.
In his first term, Newberry has earned a shot at re-election by steering the urban county government through difficult inherited problems, an economic recession and planning for the World Equestrian Games.
He has provided the steady if unspectacular leadership that we expected when we endorsed him four years ago.
But Newberry has also stumbled often and seriously enough to deserve the challenges that Gray is raising to his judgment and leadership.
Newberry exhibited a stubborn sort of passivity toward criminal mismanagement of the airport, a costly Kentucky American Water expansion and an implausible private development plan that gouged a hole in the heart of downtown.
He did publicly denounce extravagant spending by the Kentucky League of Cities — but only after he got wind of a Herald-Leader investigation, even though he had been on the League's executive board for two years.
Gray, as vice mayor, exhibited far better instincts and judgment than Newberry on those matters.
His record suggests that, in contrast to Newberry, he would wrangle with powerful forces, such as the CentrePointe developers and the water company, to protect Lexington's interests and hammer out better deals for the city and its residents.
Gray, whom we endorsed in his losing bid for mayor eight years ago, still offers an appealing blend of innovative ideas and solid management experience gained as an executive in his family's far-flung construction business. Since becoming vice mayor a little over three years ago, he's gained an inside view of how city hall works and what needs fixing. Those insights would aid him as mayor.
Where Gray falls short is in communicating his ideas and aspirations for Lexington. Gray has a capacity to inspire when he connects. Too often he leaves listeners scratching their heads. A candidate seeking to lead a city of almost 300,000 should be able to clearly communicate his vision and efficiently run a meeting.
Former Mayor Teresa Isaac, who is also a former vice mayor, remains a great one-on-one campaigner. She has a penchant for public service and giving voice to those who are too often silenced or ignored.
She still has much to contribute to her hometown. But her talents are not well suited to the mayor's office, as was painfully evident during her four years there.
Granted, she was undermined by some council members who were determined to be disagreeable, just as Newberry benefitted from a council that for a while was afraid to ever strike a disharmonious chord.
Nonetheless, as mayor, Isaac was ineffectual in many ways. She seldom forged the alliances and consensus or provided the follow-through needed to push the city forward. There's no reason to think she'd do any better now.
The fourth candidate, businessman Skip Horine, has experience as a candidate, having run for mayor in 1993. Although he lacks a political base or organization, he has contributed to mayoral debates. Especially worthwhile is his suggestion for improving bus service by replicating rapid transit systems operating in other cities.
His frequent allegations of official misconduct and corruption regarding his mother's death and other matters might merit the attention of investigative agencies but do not qualify him for public office.
Candidates not endorsed for this office may submit a response of no more than 250 words by noon Wednesday.
Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/05/02/1248207/newberry-gray-best-choices-for.html#ixzz0mnn82VdD
No reason to think Isaac would do any better than last time
Lexington voters will find no shortage of experience on a mayoral ballot that features a mayor, vice mayor and former mayor.
The two candidates who receive the most votes in the May 18 primary will advance to the General Election in November.
Based on their records, we recommend Mayor Jim Newberry and Vice Mayor Jim Gray.
In his first term, Newberry has earned a shot at re-election by steering the urban county government through difficult inherited problems, an economic recession and planning for the World Equestrian Games.
He has provided the steady if unspectacular leadership that we expected when we endorsed him four years ago.
But Newberry has also stumbled often and seriously enough to deserve the challenges that Gray is raising to his judgment and leadership.
Newberry exhibited a stubborn sort of passivity toward criminal mismanagement of the airport, a costly Kentucky American Water expansion and an implausible private development plan that gouged a hole in the heart of downtown.
He did publicly denounce extravagant spending by the Kentucky League of Cities — but only after he got wind of a Herald-Leader investigation, even though he had been on the League's executive board for two years.
Gray, as vice mayor, exhibited far better instincts and judgment than Newberry on those matters.
His record suggests that, in contrast to Newberry, he would wrangle with powerful forces, such as the CentrePointe developers and the water company, to protect Lexington's interests and hammer out better deals for the city and its residents.
Gray, whom we endorsed in his losing bid for mayor eight years ago, still offers an appealing blend of innovative ideas and solid management experience gained as an executive in his family's far-flung construction business. Since becoming vice mayor a little over three years ago, he's gained an inside view of how city hall works and what needs fixing. Those insights would aid him as mayor.
Where Gray falls short is in communicating his ideas and aspirations for Lexington. Gray has a capacity to inspire when he connects. Too often he leaves listeners scratching their heads. A candidate seeking to lead a city of almost 300,000 should be able to clearly communicate his vision and efficiently run a meeting.
Former Mayor Teresa Isaac, who is also a former vice mayor, remains a great one-on-one campaigner. She has a penchant for public service and giving voice to those who are too often silenced or ignored.
She still has much to contribute to her hometown. But her talents are not well suited to the mayor's office, as was painfully evident during her four years there.
Granted, she was undermined by some council members who were determined to be disagreeable, just as Newberry benefitted from a council that for a while was afraid to ever strike a disharmonious chord.
Nonetheless, as mayor, Isaac was ineffectual in many ways. She seldom forged the alliances and consensus or provided the follow-through needed to push the city forward. There's no reason to think she'd do any better now.
The fourth candidate, businessman Skip Horine, has experience as a candidate, having run for mayor in 1993. Although he lacks a political base or organization, he has contributed to mayoral debates. Especially worthwhile is his suggestion for improving bus service by replicating rapid transit systems operating in other cities.
His frequent allegations of official misconduct and corruption regarding his mother's death and other matters might merit the attention of investigative agencies but do not qualify him for public office.
Candidates not endorsed for this office may submit a response of no more than 250 words by noon Wednesday.
Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2010/05/02/1248207/newberry-gray-best-choices-for.html#ixzz0mnn82VdD
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