Christian County Fiscal Court seats are up for grabs this election season, and two newcomers seeking the District Seven seat shared their stances on county needs at Thursday’s Hopkinsville League of Women Voters’ forum.
Current District Seven Magistrate Russ Guffey did not file for reelection because he is running to be the next mayor of Hopkinsville. At the forum, Republican newcomers John Heltsley and Todd Morris discussed the county needs and how they would approach them if elected.
The pair was asked if they would support the construction of an EMS station in north Christian County and how they would fund the project. Morris and Heltsley both support the establishment of the EMS station to reduce response times and suggested pursuing federal grants for the project.
Morris says Community Development Block Grants, which are available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, could be used to support the station’s construction. He also says growing the county’s population could pave the way for more federal funding to support similar projects.
Heltsley supports an EMS station project in the northern part of the county, but says they should also see if there are similar needs in other rural areas around the county. He would also seek federal grant funding so that the price tag does not completely fall on local tax payers.
If elected, Morris says he would like to improve the garbage services for those in the district who live beyond Hopkinsville city limits. He says he has talked with residents in District Seven who claim that the current trash collection service is unreliable.
Heltsley says he would like to improve the fiscal court’s website to make it more accessible and informative, as well as increase workforce education and provide more support to local farmers.
The full debate is available on Facebook at League of Women Voters – Hopkinsville, KY. The primary election is on May 19.