George Brown is running for an at large seat on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. Brown, by his own statement, is running as an African-American. I’d be more impressed with Mr. Brown if he was running on his record as an effective member of the Council.
From the Herald Leader:
“George Brown, who represents the 1st District, considered a run for mayor, but plans to seek an at-large seat instead. The at-large race will be a litmus test to gauge his support and to see whether an African-American can win a countywide seat, said Brown, who has aspirations of being mayor one day.
"It's about what I can win as an African-American," Brown said. Before the city and county governments merged, Harry Sykes won a citywide race in 1963 to become the first African-American elected to the city commission.”
Now I don’t care what color Mr. Brown is, or where his parents came from, or what church he goes to on Sunday. I do care about his record on the council and his ability to represent all the citizens of Fayette County.
Highlights from his time representing the 1st District:
Smoking Ban
From the United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter:
“Several council members on the committee said that overall, they support the smoke-free law.
But Councilman George Brown, one of three council members who voted against the smoking ban in July 2003, said he remains opposed to the ordinance.
"The ban has, in my opinion, infringed on individual rights," said Brown, who is on the review committee. "I know what people are trying to do and I'm OK with that, but I think sometimes we attempt to legislate beyond what is within our purview.’ “
Extending Bar Hours
From the Kentucky Kernel:
“ ' Others argue there is there is public demand for a later last call.
I've heard young people call it (Lexington) Dullsville, USA, or Mayberry," said First District Councilman George Brown, who has a manager's position in UK's Physical Plant Division.
…..George Brown said the later hours would help Lexington compete with neighboring cities in this part of the country.
….Lexington's current last call is out of date, George Brown said."One a.m. has gone the way of the buffalo," he said. "This is about making a viable and competitive community.’ "
Spending Taxpayer Money
From the Lexington Herald Leader:
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Members of the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Council have spent more than $166,000 over the last five years taking trips to different cities around the country, according to a newspaper report.
Two council members - George Brown and Jacques Wigginton - spent 40 percent of the total, or about $67,000 on more than 30 trips each since 2000, The Herald-Leader reported Sunday.
Both Brown and Wigginton have exceeded - with one month left in the fiscal year - their council budgets by more than $3,200.
Council members are given a stipend each year to cover travel, office supplies and mailings. For the 1-year period that ended this month, council members were allocated $6,352.
"Whatever your intentions are, whatever the situation is, I can think of no excuse to knowingly overspend the people's money," Vice Mayor Mike Scanlon said.
What is this world coming to, I'm beginning to agree with Mike Scanlon?
Owning the Water Company
Brown backed Mike Scanlon’s efforts to sink public ownership of the water company.
From Kentucky American Water:
“(President of Kentucky American Water, Nick) Rowe and (American Water’s Chief Operating Officer, Jim) McGivern met with Vice Mayor (Mike) Scanlon, George Brown and Bill Farmer in mid-December to discuss ways to end the takeover.”
Given his track record, I hope that after the election Mr. Brown will have more time to devote to his job at the University of Kentucky.
