Ashland Mayoral Candidates Meet in Debate

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Posted: 10:58 PM Oct 14, 2008
Last Updated: 10:11 AM Oct 15, 2008
Reporter: Randy Yohe
Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com

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ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Ashland's three mayoral candidates met Tuesday night for a debate at Ashland Community and Technical College.

Unlike in Huntington, W.Va., a city manager runs the daily operation of Ashland's city government. The mayor there is a shepherd and facilitator, and the position is a non-partisan, elected office.

All three candidates said they would likely favor a smoking ban in Ashland's Central Park, with a possible smoking area set aside. Both Paula Hogsten and Chris Hammond said they favored some kind of traffic change in the downtown area of Winchester Avenue, but Tom Kelly said no change was needed.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Ashland Citizen on Oct 18, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I would like to say that TOM KELLY is the only choice for mayor. Ms Hogsten has made promises and will not keep them. She says one thing to citizens and does not back them up in council meetings. When it comes to voting against something that was promised, it did not happen. She joined the good ole boys.I think she just wanted my vote. Well she lost mine.

Posted by: Tina on Oct 18, 2008 at 04:20 PM
I was at the debate. It seemed obvious that Mr. Kelly was reading his answers, and several people were talking about this after the debate. I also find it odd that the moderator kept talking and did not allow any questions to be asked by the people in attendance. Both Ms. Hogsten and Mr. Hammond both answered without turning a page in a composition book and reading an answer. Is someone helping Mr. Kelley?

Posted by: Matt on Oct 18, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Mr. Kelly was a very poor Chief of Police for the city of Ashland; just ask the men and women who worked under him "with the exception of his son who was able to climb the ladder quickly under his father’s leadership". Paula is the only one with the education; experience and the real know how to bring change to Ashland. I am voting for Paula.

Posted by: SilenceDogood on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Mr. Kelly may have been in the city for 40 years maybe that is part of the problem. He was obligated I would say for many reasons to attend meetings simply because he was the Chief of Police. I wonder what is role was behind the scences of our policeman that were fired in the middle of the night by commissioners. He is no more qualified than the other two candidates. With what some people here say any department head in the city is qualified. The choice is for the people to decide keep the status quo or to bring change were the public has more input. I'll chose the later anyday...Maybe since everyone is so concerned with Winchester they should tavel to other cities(Chillicothe)were angle parking works and people get out and walk to the book stores, candy shops and other stores that are there. My father worked at GC Murphys years ago and always talked about how busy downtown was and how you could do all your shopping there. Maybe we should look at finding a solution that works 4 all

Posted by: Nathan on Oct 15, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Ashland does not have a full time mayor. Why does Paula Hogsten promote she is going to be full time and says at the debate she is not. She even says she is on here website. She denies being a micromanager.She is just ask any healthcare worker or city employee that has ever worked under her. We need a leader for the city that is for the city residents not one with a personal agenda. Tom Kelley has proven calm, level headed and very fair as a decision maker. A leader within city government for 40 years versus less than two years. I choose Tom Kelly.He knows the city and the people here and is a real friend. Not just someone who will tell you what you want to here. He has proven to get results. I don't know a thing she has done other than talk to a lot of people and tell them what they want to here.

Posted by: RUSSELL on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:17 PM
MR HAMMONDS WAS ON A LOCAL RADIO BROADCAST AND CALLED OUR COPS COWARDS. HE GAVE FACTS AND FIGURES THAT WERE NOT TRUE. YEH, HES THE MAN

Posted by: commish on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:59 PM
Anybody who travels down Winchester ave on a regular basis would realize that the right lanes are always cluttered with delivery drivers and the left hand lanes are usually filled with people waiting to turn. It baffles me why anybody beleives it could be a good idea to reduce the lanes. I know that preaching "change" can be a good way to get elected, but Kelly seems like the only one with a good head on his shoulders.

Posted by: county resident on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:48 PM
I wish I had the opportunity to vote for Mayor, but as I am out of the city limits, it does not apply to me. I feel the best, most unbiased and morally fair choice is Chris Hammonds. He is a man of integrity and would be fair to all involved. Mr Hammond would be a wonderful breathe of fresh air (no pun intended re: smoking) to the city.

Posted by: NeferAset on Oct 15, 2008 at 11:21 AM
Paula Hogsten is a real vote for change. She's so smart! Tom Kelly is part of the good ole boy club in the city. He's part of the problem with our government! Vote Paula for an honest candidate!

Posted by: SilenceDogood on Oct 15, 2008 at 10:34 AM
The moderator finished the forum with question he deemed concerning, not what the public was concerned about. The last few questions even left Mr Hammond basically out of the equation. Is his red tinted hair covered under the Commission’s idea of fairness? More pressing issues needed to be addressed and were not. In particular, the possible development of 48 housing units off Kirk St and how the city wishes to stymy the input of the citizens. I hope the Commissioners Forum will be better. I fear it will not since individuals that have strong connections to some of the candidates are the sponsors. The public is far smarter than some people understand and they will make good logical choices on Nov 4 even though others would play us for saps.

Posted by: cashmere on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:34 AM
that was a crazy debate. the moderator, former mayor David Welch, wouldn't shut up to let the candidates speak. He even was cutting them off. what egotism!

Posted by: SilencedoGood on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:34 AM
The debates that the Ashland Human Rights Commission have sponsored in the past have been very good. This year was the exception rather than the norm. Mr. Welch delayed time and insured that the only questions asked were those that could place certain candidates on the hot seat. He insured the debate went in the direction that he and possible others wished it to go. NOT ONE QUESTION was asked from the audience. The debate spent 30 minutes discussing smoking at the corner of Central Park, the River Park Project and the city’s relationship. He further tainted the process buy stating that there was a well-known Republican and a Democrat running within the non-partisan race. Wonder if political affiliation is covered under the Commission domain?

Posted by: DW on Oct 15, 2008 at 07:13 AM
There is only one legitimate choice for Mayor of Ashland and that would is Tom Kelly without a doubt. He is a proven leader and the one to continue the leadership role as Mayor Gilmore proved was prudent in our local government.

Posted by: c on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:16 AM
I agree with concerned. The city along with KDMC needs to do something about that smokers there by your house. You should not have to live next to that or put up with the type of people that frequent that street corner either. Best of luck.

Posted by: BILL on Oct 15, 2008 at 04:27 AM
FOR COMPLETE CHANGE....YOU BEST VOTE FOR "TOM KELLY"....

Posted by: i live in ashland. on Oct 15, 2008 at 01:10 AM
WHY do we need a traffic change?!?! I couldnt imagine a 2 lane winchester ave!!! sounds like gridlock to me!

Posted by: Concerned for my child health on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Not only should there be a smoking ban in the park ,but there should be a smoking ban at the corner of my house on 23rd and lexington ave. where the rest of the smokers go from KDMC which cause my child to breathe all of there second hand smoke. So basicly we try to keep him indoors which is not fair to him.But we are in fear of his health and what the second hand smoke will do to him!!!!!!!!

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