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The Lane Report

12 Questions to Ask Before You Vote

Lexington’s registered voters will be electing a mayor, councilmembers and other important local government officials this year. Identifying qualified residents of Fayette County and electing them as your representatives to set policy, spend the taxpayer’s money, and manage governmental operations is an important responsibility of each registered voter.

Lexington’s primary will be conducted on Tuesday, May 16th and the general election will be on Tuesday, November 7th.

As your 12th District Councilmember, I have the frequent opportunity to speak with Lexingtonians. On many occasions, I feel concerned because voters are often not aware of pending community issues that could have an impact on: public safety, taxation rates, the size of local government’s bureaucracy, the equine industry and agribusiness, ownership of public utilities, the cost of city services, economic development, pension fund liabilities, the amount of money saved in the “rainy day” fund, leadership issues, collaboration and communications, road repairs and resurfacing, and long term goals for Lexington.

Because of Lexington’s representative form of government, carefully selecting “citizen legislators” to represent you in managing city government and spending tax dollars is very important. Everyday, the city of Lexington spends over one million dollars.

To provide encouragement, inspiration and a touch of pragmatism for the voters, I have selected quotes from some of the world’s great political thinkers. It is definitely important to use the past to project the future. Hopefully, these quotes will help you get into a political mindset!

Historical Perspectives

“Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall not be disappointed.”
“Remember that credit is money.” – Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

“History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is.” – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

“People that value its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969)

“Victory has a thousand fathers but defeat is an orphan.” – John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

“Every segment of population, and every individual, has a right to expect from his government a fair deal.” - Harry S. Truman (1884-1972)

“Government is not the solution to the problem; Government is the problem.”
“There are so many candidates on the platform there are not enough promises to go around.” –
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)

“One fifth of the people are against everything all the time.” – Robert Kennedy (1925-1968)

“Time waste differs from material waste in that there can be no salvage.” – Henry Ford (1863-1947)

“A mule makes no headway while he’s kicking, neither does a man.” – anonymous

12 Questions

Being aware of the issues and the positions of the candidates for various city government offices is an important responsibility. In order to make an educated electoral decision, each voter needs to gather adequate information about a candidate’s experience and philosophy.

Important issues face Lexington. Here are a few questions that voters and taxpayers should ask candidates for Lexington’s local government –

1. Why and how should local government assist the University of Kentucky in its mission to become a “Top 20” research university?

2. Should local government become smaller by outsourcing non-essential services?

3. How much money should Lexington have in the “rainy day” fund? How much does it now have?

4. Should local government use the power of eminent domain to condemn and takeover utility companies?

5. How well utilized is Commerce Lexington in the city’s effort to promote economic development?

6. Should the mayor and council members be concerned about the $165 million unfunded actuarial accrued liability in Lexington’s Police and Firefighter’s Pension Fund?

7. How well is local government collaborating with business, professional, religious, civic and economic development leaders in setting goals that the community can achieve by working together?

8. Should the mayor enter into letters of intent with 16 nearby counties to recycle their trash, when Lexington’s solid waste department is inefficiently operated and paying an outside consultant over $100,000 to review and restructure its operations? As a Lexington taxpayer, do you want to pay for any of the costs of recycling another county’s trash?

9. In what areas has the Urban County Government excelled during the last calendar year?

10. Do you think local taxes are too low? Would you favor reducing taxes if local government could be operated more efficiently and cost effectively?

11. Are you pleased at how well and often Lexington’s local roads are repaired and resurfaced?

12. Visit city hall. Is local government keeping your real estate property in good repair?

The list is not represented to cover all the issues. Add questions about other issues that are important to you and your family.

Lexington’s residents are the best educated in Kentucky and definitely able to select and elect qualified officials to serve in local government. Do your job –

Ask the questions. Be informed. Elect the best.

Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.


If you would like to contact Ed Lane he can be reached via at EdLane@LFUCG.com ; and by letter at 200 East Main Street, Lexington, KY 40507.

Councilman Ed Lane represents the 12 th District on Lexington Urban County Council. He is the owner of a commercial real estate services firm and publishes a statewide business magazine.

“I want to conservatively spend our tax dollars,
eliminate waste, and bring sound business ideas
to local government.”

To contact Ed Lane's 12th district council offices, e-mail him at edlane@lfucg.com.