Bluegrass Politics Debate: Mayoral candidates jaw about water
Vice Mayor Jim Gray, left, and Mayor Jim Newberry
UPDATED WITH REBUTTALS
Welcome to the Bluegrass Politics Debate. Each Wednesday and Thursday through the end of September, the candidates for mayor of Lexington — Mayor Jim Newberry and Vice Mayor Jim Gray — will debate a topic chosen by the Lexington Herald-Leader.
The candidates ask and answer the questions. Questions are limited to 35 words. Answers, which will be posted online by 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, are limited to 75 words. Rebuttals, which will be posted online by 6 p.m. on Thursdays, are limited to 35 words.
The entire debate will appear in the Sunday City|Region section of the Herald-Leader, as space allows.
Week 1 topic: Lexington’s water supply
Gray’s question for Newberry: Instead of taking-up for taxpayers and evaluating alternatives to the $160 million water project, you said no. You’ve taken $18,000 in campaign cash from those with ties to Kentucky American Water. Shouldn’t we be skeptical?
Newberry’s answer: I’m skeptical of Gray. Gray says Lexington had no water supply problem! Remember the droughts? I opposed spending $15,000 for a superficial review of Kentucky-American and Louisville plans. Council members agreed, voting it down. The PSC spent tens of thousands, extensively studied the plans and found Kentucky-American most cost effective. As for campaign contributions, I question the $18,000 figure, but it represents only about 1 percent of my total support.
Gray’s rebuttal: This plant was unnecessary and unneeded. It could’ve been remedied with a new, more reliable source. Newberry’s plan relies on the Kentucky River only. He blocked analysis and we’ve been hoodwinked into higher water rates.
Newberry’s question for Gray: Previously you acknowledged Lexington’s water supply shortage. Now during campaign season you claim there is no shortage. Why do you suddenly waffle irresponsibly ignoring decades of research proving Lexington’s job growth depends on water supply?
Gray’s answer: In 2006 we needed a thoughtful analysis of our water supply and our options, but you blocked it. Now all our water comes from one source, is that responsible or safe? You’ve taken at least $18,000 from people with ties to the water company for your election. You get campaign cash, KAW gets to increase water rates and profits. Pay to play. Not the way my administration will be run.”
Newberry’s rebuttal: Get your facts straight Gray, the proposed review was in 2008 not 2006. When the new plant opens Lexington will have two sources of water not one. Answer the question rather than raising false claims.
Filed Under: Elections • Jim Gray • Jim Newberry • Lexington Government • Mayor's race
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
i remember long before 2006, there was an urgent need for lexington to find an adequate water supply. i disagreed with condemning kentucky american, but i did think it was important for someone more local than germany to own our water. newberry says the psc deemed kentucky american the most cost effective solution, that’s good enough for me. and once again, jim gray opts to study the problem, then criticize those that actually make the tough choices. voting for mayor in nov isn’t going to be tough.
Isn’t it amazing how politicians almost never return tainted campaign donations? In this case, $18,000 Newberry received from people with ties to KAWC… Do the right thing mayor, return the money!
As we all know, talk is cheap, but questionable campaign donations speak volumes! I’m confident that the voters in Lexington will be happy to throw a little water on this sort of appalling activity come election day!
I am a write-in candidate for Mayor of Lexington. KAWC has done a good job providing clean water at a fair price. Even with the proposed rate increase, our water bill will be one of the lowest bills we pay each month. However, I believe there could come a day when clean water will be like gold. For that reason, I am in favor of owning our water company. We should do it now before it is to late. And one more thing; I should be part of this debate and any other regarding the Mayors race. I received 24% of the vote when I ran for U.S. Congress in 2000; don’t keep the voters from hearing my views. Thanks. Will
Instead of asking questions about a no-brainer water supply shortage, how about asking questions as to how the LFUCG will address the antiquated and deteriorated infrastructure that has been neglegted for over fifty years without raising taxes? All Jim Newberry has accomplished is higher taxes. When Isaac was voted out she left a surplus. Jim Newberry can not balance a budget.
Then ill you should have realized when the filing deadline was and got on the ballot that in of itself would be reason for me to not write you in
Mr Gray, Was enough of our tax money not spent by the PSC that we needed to waste more in a redundant set of studies? The Ohio River is a more reliable source but it is hardly new. Should we, the Fayette County water customers pay two utility companies for water when one would do? One that we should own, but that ship sailed already.
Finally, can we get to a point that you, Mr Gray, tell us what you will do instead of how you won’t do it like someone else has? Can you give us details such as new initiatives and policies along with how they will be paid for and implemented?
Nothing like 3 more months of the dueling idiots!!! Couldn’t they come up with any better question than this to debate?
Ah, politicians. There’s nothing like them. Neither one provided an actual answer to a question. I’m sorry for you Lexington if this is all you have to look forward to.
To S. Smith. Teresa Isac was a do nothing mayor. She balance the budget simply because she did nothing. No improvements, no changes, nothing. When we had the ice storm while she was in office the did nothing. All she did was to call KU and tell them they had to do something to get some help in here instead of taking the initiative to get something done. The day she was voted out was the best day Lexington has seen in a long time. And Jim Gray is nothing but another wealthy business man who thinks running a city government is like running a business. WRONG JIM!!!
1) I would like to have the questions that are asked actually answered. We get enough beating around the bush from national politicians.
2) Please address their ideas regarding Basic Services such as police, firefighters, sewer, infrastructure. NO MORE ARTS and THEATRES until we have basic services, not police and fire services cut!
Don’t tell me we have to hear these two idiots bicker from now until Nov. You’ll really make us look stupid when your (newberry) wasteful World Equestrian Games visitors get here.
Wow, Jim Grey versus Jim Newberry. Talk about a contest between Tweedledee and Tweedledum. I’m so glad I moved outside of Lexington three years ago. I swear, these sham LexFUC Government elections, with their official non-partisan status that is ridiculous and unnecessary given that partisan politics manages to creep through the back door anyways, are a total joke.
At least Louisville had the good sense to have partisan elections giving the voters a choice, albeit not the ones in their long term best interest, but at least they have usually had better choices in their elections. Lexington almost always gets a choice between the two most “popular” douchebags leftover from the May runoff popularity contest.
Jim Noodleberry has not done anything for Lexington, he is too scared too. Cover-ups are stupid and the good ol boy system went out a long time ago. I think Noodleberry will go down as the worst mayor in the history of the city. And by the way, Both jims need to ask your staff to stop writting comments for you on these sites we see thru it and it just, really looks bad.
You mean if you even voted in the first place.
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