October 27, 2018:  UPDATE

CAST YOUR VOTE IN OUR LAZER POLL ON THE MAIN PAGE!

LAZER Q & A WITH CANDIDATES (JUDGE/EXECUTIVE)

Phil Carter

Q: What do you think is the biggest problem that faces our county at this time and how do you plan to fix it if you are elected?

A: As I have campaigned across Lawrence County, the two concerns I keep hearing again and again are roads and jobs. Our county roads are in terrible shape and we need more jobs. One sure way to not change things is to keep doing what we have been doing.  I decided to run again for County Judge/Executive because I believe very strongly that if we’re going to BE better, we have to DO better.

I know how to build and fix roads and how to do more with less.  We’re going to have to work on ramping up our County Road Department so that we can perform our own work in-house rather than farming it out at a higher cost to taxpayers.  Also, I have spoken with other county judge/executives in the region, and there is a real sentiment to get together and pool our resources by having several counties go in together to have our own blacktop plant so that we can afford to fix our roads the way they ought to be fixed instead of a little patch here and there that doesn’t achieve long term results.  

On the jobs front, I am going to focus in like a laser beam on bringing good paying jobs to Lawrence County.  I have a great relationship with Congressman Hal Rogers and his staff as well as other federal and state elected officials, and I’m not afraid to go to Washington, DC or Frankfort to get done what needs to happen to move Lawrence County forward. I have big plans to expand tourism opportunities at Yatesville Lake, establish a more sustained economic development effort, and to work closely with a variety of people to take our county where it needs to be.

We must have experienced leadership with the ability and passion to make a difference, and that’s what I’m trying to do for this wonderful place we call home. Lawrence County has all the potential in the world if we can just have capable leadership with vision that will work hard to capitalize on the many assets we have in place.

John Osborne

Answer to your question: 

The biggest problem facing our county is the need of jobs.

We are currently working closely with One East Kentucky to recruit companies to our county.  Companies have already expressed interest in the KY Power Industrial Park site, and we expect to have a tenant as soon as the site is move in ready.  We are working with AEP to aid in that process. 

The old carpet mill building has been renovated with funds from a grant we secured a couple years ago.  That building is currently being marketed with the KY Economic Development Dept, as well as with our regional economic development organization.

Last year, we established the Lawrence Co. Teleworks Training Hub with the goal of creating at least 50 jobs in the first year.  We have exceeded that goal, with 69 people being hired since last Sept., resulting in approximately $1.5 million in annual wages. We took advantage of our broadband technology by converting into jobs in the digital economy.

We continue to look for opportunities that will bring jobs to Lawrence County and the surrounding area.

CAST YOUR VOTE IN OUR LAZER POLL ON THE MAIN PAGE!