The community heard from six candidates seeking seats in three of Trigg County’s magisterial districts at an Oct. 25 policy forum at The Way Christian Youth Center.
The next general election is scheduled for Tuesday, with early voting starting on Thursday.
Magistrate candidates speaking at the recent forum included John Oliver and incumbent Mike Wright, campaigning for the District 1 seat in the Trigg County Tax Court; William Linton and incumbent Cameron Sumner, seeking District 3 headquarters; and Patrick Bush and Jan Culwell, seeking to fill the vacant District 6 tax court seat.
They discussed a variety of issues, touching on everything from public safety, recreation and taxes to roads, internet services and jobs.
Sumner said well-paying jobs are a need, not just for his district, but for the county as a whole. “I think there are a lot of people who would graduate here from Trigg County, stay here in Trigg County (and) put down roots if they had good paying jobs here in Trigg County,” said noted Sumner.
He said the community is moving forward, with plans to dedicate a specific building that “hopefully with this building we can market it and sell it to a good industry partner and get more jobs here in Trigg County” , Sumner said.
The candidate also noted that a really easy investment in the community would be to install electric vehicle chargers in downtown Cadiz. People will be driving electric vehicles and will need to charge them, he observed, pointing out that while charging their vehicles in Cadiz, people can browse antique shops and eat at local restaurants.
Sumner noted that officials need to push for policies that will provide more “liveability” in the county and ease of residential development so people can live in the community.
Sumner’s opponent in County District 3 said he wants to help everyone he can help.
A Navy veteran, Linton said he was concerned about road improvements in his district and looked forward to working with the people of the district.
Oliver, a longtime Trigg County resident and local businessman, expressed concern about taxes in the county and thinks the way homes are valued relative to others is unfair. He added that there must also be transparency in tax expenditures, with the public being informed of where taxpayers’ money is going.
Oliver said he would like tax court meetings to be broadcast online and possibly on the radio, which he says should be easy to do.
Wright, who served as a magistrate for 12 years, says he was instrumental in making things happen during his tenure on the court.
He helped increase the number of sheriff’s deputies, supported the kitchen at Trigg County Senior Center and helped “save Trigg County Hospital,” Wright said.
He also pointed to recreational improvements like the new disc golf course and efforts to promote the industry by joining the Southwest Kentucky Economic Development Council.
Wright said public safety, road maintenance and public health are important local issues.
In District 6, where Magistrate Larry Lawrence is finishing his final term, candidate Patrick Bush said he wants to make improvements to district roads and focus on internet needs.
“I’m running for magistrate in District 6 because I want to be an advocate and a voice for our district,” said Bush, who noted his dream has always been to serve others.
Her opponent, Jan Culwell, noted that being the District 6 magistrate is the best way for her to serve the people of Trigg County.
She listed various concerns shared with her by residents, including roads, traffic, litter and mowing.
Culwell likes the proposal to place electric vehicle chargers in the county, and she would like to see youth jobs, housing, maternity care and child care.
She said she would like nothing better than to serve the county for the next four years and wants to help move the county forward.
A warrant, she said, is enough to get the ball rolling.
“I’m not a politician,” Culwell said. “I am a civil servant.”