GLASGOW, Ky. — Glasgow voters will head to the polls for a City Council primary election as a crowded field of candidates competes for a limited number of seats.

Although the race is nonpartisan, the primary will narrow the field ahead of the general election. Nine seats are up for election, with 23 candidates filing to run.

A primary is triggered when more than twice the number of seats plus one candidate files. In this case, the threshold was 19 candidates, which prompted the election.

For many years, a higher filing threshold was required to trigger a primary when the council included 12 seats. That changed after councilmembers voted within the past six years to reduce the body to nine seats.

After May 19, the top 18 candidates will advance to the November election, where voters will ultimately choose nine to serve two-year terms on the Glasgow City Council.

Barrenside also sent a survey to all candidates asking them to participate, helping readers better understand where they stand on key issues. The interactive survey below allows voters to see which candidates most closely align with their views based on their responses.

Find candidate explanations below on specific issues they felt needed clarification.

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Candidates were allowed to provide clarification to any of their responses.

QUESTION 1 — Budget priorities / city spending allocation

Marna Kirkpatrick

I dont think its fair to pick just one of these answers if we are talking about vision. I ,as a councilmember, feel like we should be attentive to all of these.

Melinda J. Overstreet

All of these areas are important, and ultimately, the city government’s role is to find the best way to balance funding allocations among these areas. Choosing just one on which to focus would be irresponsible.
That said, in trying to select the option that “best” represents my position as requested, I focused on major budget needs of which I’m aware. I want to see already planned parks-and-recreation and infrastructure projects completed, but I believe the next really large capital project the city needs is a new headquarters building for the fire department, so that’s why I chose public safety here.

QUESTION 2 — Economic growth priorities

Chasity Lowery

I believe there should be a balance, while we recruit large industry we must also continue to support and encourage small business and local businesses in our community. All of these are crucial to growth and development.

Marna Kirkpatrick

All growth should be a priority for Glasgow.

Melinda J. Overstreet

All of these things are necessary to grow in an organized, comprehensive way. The key word in the answer I chose is JOB recruitment. While a variety of industries of most types is great to have, a diverse job market with a lot of types of opportunities is even better. Also see my elaboration on Question 3, which is related.

QUESTION 3 — Role of city government in growth

Chasity Lowery

When Industry looks at our community they are looking at more than just the number of employees they look at the overall community: schools, recreation, and retail. These are all things we can shine positive lights on in order to encourage development of jobs.

Marna Kirkpatrick

We should always take an active leadership role in growth.

Melinda J. Overstreet

Truly, any one or any combination of these three responses may the best, depending on the specific situation at hand, and the first two responses are not mutually exclusive.
Referring back to the previous question about kinds of growth, for example, other entities besides city government/the city council, per se, are tasked with focusing on bringing these things about, and the mayor and council may be able to support them in those endeavors in various ways as needed, but business/job recruitment is the one area where it is essential that city leaders take an active role.
Housing growth is the only one of those areas that doesn’t normally really have an organization, per se, working on it to my knowledge, but the city already is involved with increasing that through the Johnson property development. I know some do not agree with how city leaders handled that purchase, and I can understand why they may not; I also understand why the city leaders thought it was an appropriate way to proceed.

QUESTION 4 — Barriers to economic growth

Marna Kirkpatrick

I dont feel like there is a barrier to economic growth here.

Melinda J. Overstreet

Even this is true only in the sense that Glasgow has to compete with larger cities that may be able to offer additional amenities and/or incentives to prospective businesses, but our leaders offer what they can when they can.

QUESTION 5 — Budget cuts / spending priorities

Marna Kirkpatrick

We would need to work as a team to find the best solution.

Melinda J. Overstreet

The key word here is “FIRST,” and I am thinking of nonessential projects that are more along the lines of wants rather than needs in terms of any that would be delayed. In reality, some combination of all of these responses would likely be the best option. Again, it’s about finding the right balance among options versus focusing on only one.

Terry Bunnell

As I think about each of these questions and my responses, I must consider the framework in place of the various laws upon which the City must operate within. The City Council has limitations on the administering of City Ordinances and day to day activities. Therefore, as a City Council member, one has to be aware of what can and cannot be done. For example, when it comes to attracting business/industry, the Council plays a minor role in the opening of a business. The Council's job is to be a promoter, a steward, and a supporter of the City, which in turns creates opportunities for others, i.e., new businesses. Revenue growth for the City is of most importance. Glasgow has to continue to look for ways to increase the General Fund. When revenue is flat, various capital improvements and projects will be delayed. Long term thinking has to go into decisions that impact the City's revenue sources. Because of the various requirements upon compliance, risk, and meeting the various daily operational needs of the City, cutting expenses it is not a viable option to maintaining the City long term.

QUESTION 6 — Debt / bonds

Marna Kirkpatrick

This is a circumstantial question. There would need to be alot more variables known to make an appropriate answer.

Melinda J. Overstreet

I definitely would not want to “aggressively” take on debt, but I also think it’s reasonable to do so for some projects that are not necessarily “essential infrastructure.” My truest answer would be somewhere between the first two, but closer to the latter.

QUESTION 7 — Budget cuts / finance process

Marna Kirkpatrick

If a budget cut was needed I would not be making this decision solely based on my own merit. This would be a conversation to come before the Finance committee.

Melinda J. Overstreet

“START” is the key word here, and, again, the best option would likely be some combination of the above.

QUESTION 8 — Data vs community input

Chasity Lowery

I feel a balance approach here is also crucial. No decision is one or the other. You have to look at both data and finances while seeking community feedback. Our job is to represent the people and make decisions based on the numbers and information we have available.

Marna Kirkpatrick

Data and financial analysis matters in decision-making as well as community input. I dont feel like you should respectively have one without the other.

Melinda J. Overstreet

"Data" can include any and all kinds of information, including community input. As much of the whole picture that is available should be considered. Also, “community input” includes more than the ones who protest the loudest.

QUESTION 9 — Unpopular but beneficial projects

Marna Kirkpatrick

My question would be what would make a beneficial project unpopular?

Melinda J. Overstreet

Yes, IF the evidence that it will be beneficial is substantial enough. Please also see my comments on No. 8.

QUESTION 10 — Transparency

Marna Kirkpatrick

I would be open to suggestions on how to make council meetings more transparent.

Melinda J. Overstreet

Part of a local-government journalist’s job is to hold those governmental entities accountable with regard to the Kentucky’s open meetings and open records laws (KRS 61.800-61.884), and as such a former journalist, were I to become a council member, I would certainly speak up if at any time I thought we were going astray from those requirements.

Glasgow’s council meetings are not only open to the public as required, they are televised and live-streamed and available for viewing later through the Glasgow Electric Plant Board’s local cable access channel and YouTube channel, and based on my experience covering these meetings, I feel fairly confident that the level of meeting transparency is as it should be.

Where I see the opportunity for transparency improvement is with the decision part of the equation. It’s not that I necessarily think information is being withheld with “shady” intentions. I simply think sometimes a little more background or context could and/or should be provided as to administrative or committee processes and decisions, for example, that got whatever the issue is to the point of being put the full council for consideration. That could certainly slow things down, but it could also help the public feel more informed and less concerned about what might have happened up to that point.

QUESTION 11 — Handling controversial decisions

Chasity Lowery

I have always tried to make every decision based on the information I have studied. Saying this I also believe that if mistakes are made or new information comes to light we have to be open to going back and making changes if something we as a council decides has unintended negative results for the community.

Marna Kirkpatrick

I feel all options are somewhat appropriate.

Melinda J. Overstreet

“IF DECISIONS ARE SOUND” is the key part there. That said, new information can become available or things simply may not go as planned for a variety of reasons, and city leaders should always be open to revisiting and adjusting when the circumstances call for them. Also please refer back to my comments on No. 8.

QUESTION 12 — Public trust

Marna Kirkpatrick

Transparency and communication build trust.

Melinda J. Overstreet

“COMMUNICATION” is the word I’m focusing on with my response. I refer you back to my comments on No. 10.

Also, some of this responsibility rests with those who are lacking that trust. Do they attend, or at least watch, any of the council meetings or the committee meetings from which things are often forwarded to the council? Do they read legitimate news reports (from someone who was present or quotes someone who was) about those meetings – and not just the headlines? Or do they rely on what they’ve “heard” or on comments on social media that may or may not be correct?
The schedule for the committee and other government-associated meetings is on the city’s website. Seldom, in all my years covering local-government meetings, have I seen anyone present at meetings who aren’t directly and immediately impacted by items on the agenda.

QUESTION 13 — Immigration enforcement

Marna Kirkpatrick

Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government.

Melinda J. Overstreet

It is not the city government’s role to enforce federal immigration laws. Neither it nor its law enforcement agency should be involved in any manner other than that specifically required by law.

It IS the DUTY of local law enforcement to serve and protect the residents and visitors in this community. If we are being unlawfully harassed and/or attacked by ANYONE, local law enforcement should intervene. No one’s civil rights should be violated in the process of a legitimate enforcement action.

QUESTION 14 — Community change

Marna Kirkpatrick

We should be proactive and welcoming to new people and ideas.

QUESTION 15 — LGBTQ+ fairness ordinance

Emberlyn Miller

They shouldn't ban it, but they are responsible to their own actions.

Cathy Thomas

A person is responsible for their own actions in saying that if you want to be gay or lesbian that is your choice. I have no problem with that. My problem I have is when they flaunt themselves and think because they are gay or lesbian they are entitled to speculation privileges.

James “Happy” Neal

I am saying no right now, but more learn about it my answer could change.

Marna Kirkpatrick

No.

Melinda J. Overstreet

To me, if you believe LGBTQ+ individuals aren’t worthy of being protected from discrimination or that LGBTQ+ individuals aren’t worthy of having the same civil rights as you, you are proof that such protection from discrimination is necessary.

Steven Carroll

The reason I answered #15 the way I did, was to make sure LGBTQ+ have the same protections that people of different races currently have. In no way is it a broader endorsement for the LGBTQ+ community especially Pride festivals, parades and drag shows.

Alexandria Hayes

Regarding Question 15 about an ordinance for the LGBTQ+ community, I believe this issue is best addressed at the state level. Here is my reasoning.

If the City of Glasgow were to pass an ordinance providing protections for the LGBTQ+ community, it would apply only within the city limits. This means that individuals living outside the city, as well as businesses and organizations located in the county, would not be covered. In that case, who is truly being helped?

Additionally, if the city were to enact an ordinance and the state later passed a law that conflicted with it, state law would take precedence over local ordinances. This could undermine or even nullify the city’s efforts.

I believe that citizens who genuinely want to see meaningful and lasting change should focus their efforts on advocating at the state level. Encouraging statewide action would ensure broader, more consistent protections that truly support and protect the community.

As a note, Marna Kirkpatrick did not complete the survey as given. She opted to answer all 15 questions with her own responses.