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Bethany Davis Brown

1. I am a native of Nicholasville, and graduated from East Jessamine High School in 2011. I then went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of the Cumberlands. I currently reside in Nicholasville with my Husband, Tony and two dogs, Lilly and Abby.

2. I believe I’m the best candidate for this office because I have so much heart and love for this community. I am well educated, with a business and finance background, which comes in handy when tough budgeting decisions need to be made. I am a young enthusiastic candidate with an old soul. As much as I love to do new and hip things, I just as easily love sitting in town listening to some bluegrass on a fall Saturday afternoon. I have a vision for what this town can be, and I really think it is possible, especially with the right team.

3. People are wanting more to do in the community, and that’s where two things come into play. The downtown that we have is old and dilapidated, and we need to bring it back to life. But also parks and recreation is in need of some dear attention and revitalization.

4. There are already pieces moving to help these two issues. As far as downtown goes, we have started offering grants for not only business owners but also building owners. This will help get buildings up to code and then allow people to come in and modify their business offerings. With Parks and Rec, we have monies put in place to really give our parks a facelift. People want to be able to get out in their own community and do things. By next year we’ll have a renovated pool, a splash pad, and many new playground additions. All of which I couldn’t be more excited about.

Dexter Knight

1. I am a lifelong resident of Jessamine County. I have served the community working for Jessamine County Schools as a High School Agriculture teacher/FFA Advisor and for the last 17 years as Principal of the Jessamine Career and Technology Center.

2. I am interested in providing a perspective to city government that ensures that we are good stewards of the city resources while pursuing opportunities to improve our basic infrastructure which includes good streets and roads as well as a strong public service/safety program. I would like to work to revitalize downtown and create educational programs and services for our youth while working with local officials to bring high-wage, high-demand jobs to our area.

3. The most pressing issue affecting us currently is the exponential amount of residential growth Jessamine county has experienced and the lack of secondary services to include dining, recreation, and youth-related activities.

4. If elected, I will focus on the community and the people within it, seek insight on improvements to the secondary services, and work with community partners on the implementation of policies that will allow our community to thrive

Pete Sutherland

1. I am the former owner and operator of Sutherland Chevrolet. As a lifelong resident of Nicholasville, I currently serve as the Mayor of Nicholasville.

2. My 45 Years of business experience and the accomplishments of our current elected officers is proof of our abilities. New Police Station, New Fire Station in Brannon, inclusive playground for special needs children, program to purchase a new fire engine every 5 years keeping the fleet up to date, splash pad at Lake Mingo by summer 2023, Nicholasville performance park, and have formed a joint tourism board with the County instead of three separate entities.  Purchased land with the county for a new Industrial park. Brought development back to Brannon Crossing, along with streetlights and blacktop.

3. We are concerned about the lack of growth and new business in our downtown area.  We are also interested in completing a community recreation center. It is also important to attract new businesses to Nicholasville.

4. We have developed an incentive plan to help existing and new downtown businesses offset some of their expenses with match grants. We are hoping to use some of the funds we received from the government from COVID to fund this.

Patty Teater

1. I am a lifelong resident of Jessamine Co.  I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 42 years.  I have 3 children and 6 grandchildren (all boys). I attended Jessamine Co. High School and the University of Kentucky.  I retired from the Jessamine Co. Board of Education last August.

2. Experience and passion.  Although the experience I have gained by serving the past 8 years is invaluable, just as important is the extreme passion I have for the job.  My desire is for Nicholasville to be the best place to live and raise a family. Although not required, I have taken courses to increase my knowledge.  I also believe that accessibility and communication is vital for a public servant.  I have my personal cell phone number printed on my campaign material.  I want the citizens to know that I am always available to address their concerns.

3. The ongoing fight against drugs continue to be a nationwide problem, and Nicholasville is no different. Almost everyone I know has been affected in some way by this issue.  Either by a family member or a friend.  Drugs to not discriminate.

4. We must continue to fund the police.  We are off to a great start in Nicholasville.  By evaluating and adjusting our salary scale, we have been able to recruit and retain great officers.  We must give them every tool available to fight this fight.  The more arrests that we have will make the dealers reconsider doing business in our town. It is not OK for them to rob our homes and businesses.  It has to start with law enforcement. Then the focus can be on getting our loved ones the recovery help that they need.

Johnny Templin

1. I am a 52-year-old child of God with six children and 10 grandchildren. I’ve been married twice and am a widower. I moved to Nicholasville in 2003. I became aware of the calling of God placed on my heart. I’m the founder and executive director of The Jessamine County Homeless Coalition. I’ve done work with the Center for Growth and Hope and the Jessamine Fall Festival.

2. I bring “commUNITY energy’’ in a way that no other candidate comes close to.  Community energy is a set of qualities that all elected officials should strive for and all voters should remember to vote for. Those qualities are visibility, accessibility, responsiveness, and consistent energy. They should have been doing these things publicly before running for office. It’s easy to do good with $27 million a year.

3. First, Our local government never asks for community-wide input in advance. Second, the lack of affordable housing units and the adoption of tenant laws. Third, growing domestic violence and substance/addiction issues. And last, a real community center, including a location for inner city youth.

4. We organize landlords in an effort for new development or set-asides to increase the available inventory of affordable housing. We do this using other communities’ successful efforts as an example. We start the discussion about tenant/landlord protections. Encourage public servants, leaders, and other professionals and organizations to develop programs to directly affect residents like I’m doing at the Center for Growth and Hope Any community center needs to be near the inner city or a defined/funded transportation method…anything less is not a true community center.