“I think through every decision I make to benefit the city of Lancaster. I make decisions to benefit the city of Lancaster, not to benefit myself,” he said. “The decision last December was not well accepted by many but it was at an economic time when we could not afford the additional police officers or the additional personnel.”
Powers said if elected mayor she will bring a “different respect” for the city’s employees and fight for more money, better benefits and improved working conditions for them.
Powers, who has worked in community education for the past 20 years, said one of her main goals if elected would be to build an indoor recreational building — a bowling alley, roller rink or movie theater, for example — so that Garrard County children have a place to go for entertainment without leaving the county.
The recreational building could become a reality if someone is willing to donate the land and the city secures the appropriate grant money, she said.
“I dream big when I dream,” she said.
Powers said Lancaster and Garrard County have been “held back” for many years, and she hopes as mayor she can help the area grow and flourish.
“I love Lancaster, and I love the people of Lancaster, and I want to try to help Garrard County blossom, because we are in the middle of the Bluegrass state, and I do not know why Garrard County cannot blossom,” she said.
Wants to use Frankfort friendships
Powers said by utilizing her many friendships with officials in Frankfort, she hopes to bring new industries and restaurants to Garrard and Lancaster. New businesses could bring additional tax revenue to Lancaster without increasing taxation on residents, she said.
Rinthen touted infrastructure improvements to the water system as one of the city’s biggest accomplishments under his watch. The first two phases of the water system upgrades were completed within their budgets and the third phase is now beginning, he said.
When the third phase is completed, about 95 percent of the city’s water lines will have been replaced, and all customers will have new electronic meters, Rinthen said at a recent city council meeting. Other improvements from the projects have done away with dead-end lines and reduced water loss due to leaks.
Rinthen said if re-elected he wants to finish up the third phase and continue to work toward a new water treatment plant, which will be a necessity by 2014 or 2015. He would also work on annexing areas around the city that could not be annexed previously because the city’s infrastructure couldn’t handle it, he said.
Planning for Lancaster bypass
Rinthen said the city also needs to start preparing its infrastructure for construction of the new Lancaster bypass that’s eventually coming down the line as the widening and straightening of U.S. 27 continues.
Both candidates touted dedication to their position if elected.
“I’m dedicated to this job,” Rinthen said. “It’s a job that I took, and I’ve given 100 percent of my time when it’s needed.”
Powers said if elected she will do everything legally possible to help residents whenever problems arise.
“I know I can do this job as well as anyone else,” she said.
Other Garrard County races
County court clerk: Republican incumbent Stacy May is facing a write-in challenge from Elizabeth Lane, a former court clerk employee.
Magistrate, second district: Incumbent Republican Doan Adkinson is facing Democratic challenger Mike Carter.
Adkinson, who is wrapping up her first term as a magistrate, is a lifelong resident of Garrard County who retired from AT&T after 30 years in 1995.
