The Hopkinsville League of Women Voters hosted the first of their primary election debate forums Thursday evening, and the two Republicans running to serve on Hopkinsville City Council in Ward One kicked things off.
Incumbent Natasha Francis will face challenger Vance Smith on the May primary ballot, and they fielded numerous questions regarding issues in Hopkinsville, city initiatives, cleaning up Hopkinsville and much more. When asked what they would designate funding towards—if the city received a $1 million grant—Smith says he’d like to focus on boosting small businesses, which he calls the backbone of any community.
Franics says she would spread the love around, with a focus on infrastructure and housing.
They were both asked about what their vision for Hopkinsville is, and Francis says she thinks Hopkinsville is growing and she wants to keep that going, while working to get more restaurants and retail here.
Smith says he wants to make Hopkinsville known for thriving businesses, good education and safe streets.
The entirety of the debate can be viewed on the League of Women Voters Hopkinsville Facebook page, where you can also find a schedule of upcoming debate forums set for other candidates running for city council on April 8 and April 11.