Smith-Wright wants to draw young people to city as mayor
City Commissioner Pam-Smith Wright, who is running for mayor in this year’s primary, said the city has a problem keeping its young people, and that she would work to keep more young men and women in Owensboro.
“There’s a brain drain going on, in my opinion,” Smith-Wright said. “Our young people aren’t staying here.”
Smith-Wright said she wants to find “what we can do to retain our young people in this community.”
“After a while, if we don’t have young people here, who is going to run this city,” Smith-Wright said. Later, she said, “The city’s role is to include young people in the things we do.”
Smith-Wright said, as mayor, she would want the commission to examine lowering taxes.
The city studied lowering occupational and net profits taxes in 2022 and chose to keep rates at current levels. At the time, the study found the city would have depleted its surplus by 2024-25 if the rates were lowered. The study was based on numerous factors such as rising costs and projects like the indoor sports complex, and on the transient boat dock plan that was later scrapped.
“The city has been doing well as far as finances,” Smith-Wright said.
But, “times are getting tough for everybody,” she said.
“I would like us to take a look at how the city could decrease a tax somewhere, so people aren’t struggling to make ends meet,” Smith-Wright said. “I would like us to look at how to alleviate some of the burden on our citizens.”
Smith-Wright was a city commissioner between 2010 and 2020, when she chose to run for mayor. Smith-Wright was unsuccessful, but was reelected to the commission in 2022.
Smith-Wright said, “to me, the mayor’s role is to be the biggest cheerleader, the one who is the face of this community,” and that the mayor should promote the community.
As mayor, Smith-Wright said she would work to draw business and economic development.
“I know we have (Economic Development Corp. president and CEO Claud Bacon), but that doesn’t mean the mayor can’t work with that person to bring business here,” Smith-Wright said. The city has room for industrial growth, such as having remaining space at MidAmerica Airpark.
“Sometimes, we have to step out and ask companies to come here,” Smith-Wright said.
When soliciting bids for projects, Smith-Wright said, “I would like to be more open to people who live in the town. If (people) have a business and can contribute, I want them to feel like they have a chance to bid on a particular project.
“If we have open bidding and a bid comes in low, sometimes that’s not the best criteria to decide how to award the project,” she said.
When considering projects and initiatives, “you have to weigh things out,” Smith-Wright said, and look at factors like, “is it good for the community? What is it going to take? Is it financially responsible?” she said.
Smith-Wright said her ability to work with people would be an asset as mayor.
“I’m able to talk to people. I’m able to listen,” Smith-Wright said. “I’m a straight-shooter. You have to respect people, and you have to treat them like you want to be treated. People want to feel valued. People want to feel like someone is listening to their concerns, and that’s my role as mayor and city commissioner.”
Smith-Wright also touted her experience in local government.
“I’ve been there, and I’ve served under two mayors and two city managers,” she said. “All I’m asking is for the community to give me a chance.”
