Ashland isn’t just a few city blocks located downtown. We are a vibrant city growing as a result of change and big ideas. The idea to rebrand Ashland has helped bring us into the 21st century. The revitalization of our downtown acted as a seed. We now are sowing some of what it has produced. Businesses are popping up left and right. Growth outside the city limits has skyrocketed. With this growth and development, we are a great place for industries to be interested.

Our area is in dire need of industry to help aid in our rebranding. Now that we have the culture, the entertainment, and the growth we have become an ideal location for businesses to open up shop. Big industries aren’t looking for towns with nothing to do. Upper management doesn’t want to live in a town with nothing for entertainment other than kicking a can down the road. Ashland is full of life and would make a great home for any CEO, plant manager, and their workforce.

As a city commissioner, I want to work with businesses and attract them to Ashland. I want Ashland to be open for business and to continue to grow as we have. I believe that Ashland is a vibrant place to live and to run a business!

I would like to work toward attracting industries to our neck of the woods and make Ashland a top destination in Kentucky for recreation, travel, and arts. But also one that has a thriving industrial sector with plenty of jobs for those of us not blessed with musical or artistic talent.

I have worked with the Kentucky Peoples Union, which has knocked on hundreds of doors in Ashland speaking with actual citizens about their concerns. Rent is too high for dilapidated homes, and run-down apartments, and finding decent housing is hard to do unless you know someone.

KPU proposes the City adopt URLTA or the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. What this does is give not only the landlord more cut-and-dry rights, but also the tenants. It is time we take charge and fight back against slum lords taking advantage of renters in our city. URLTA is a step in that direction.

Piece this proposal together with an actual registry of landlords and an active database so we can centralize rentals in Ashland and make it easier for people to find adequate housing. Honestly, it’s a simple solution to a common problem that we already have the structure for in our city. Ashland has an ordinance already requiring landlords to register with the city or face fines. This ordinance isn’t being enforced, at the time of writing, according to the city, there are only two landlords in all of Ashland. Well, according to their database.

As commissioner, I plan to address housing by enacting URLTA and enforcing the landlord database.

Check out URLTA here

*Formally known as homelessness.

Click here for more information about the name change.

We have a growing houseless population that needs some attention. I would like to look into what we can do as a city to open a fully operational shelter that remains open throughout the day, offering resources and services for individuals, one that doesn’t turn folks away.

This idea is big. It’ll take a lot of time, effort, and combining of resources in the City. But it is a solution that can help this growing epidemic within our city limits.

I promise to you, that I will serve the City of Ashland, I will give it my all to continue to see growth. To allow for more community involvement and cooperation. The commission isn’t a group of people high above the rest. The commission is simply we the people of Ashland, I, a citizen, want to represent you and do all that I can to help this great city prosper.

Ways to create openness is to change the times for commission meetings. Noon on a Thursday isn’t convenient for most! These meetings must adapt to and be open to the majority of Ashland residents. Even those that work during the day. Change the times, allow for more community engagement, and let’s work together!