Engaging Race for Lexington’s 7th District Council Seat Heats Up as Election Approaches

Lexington is witnessing an engaging race for the 7th District seat on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, as two political newcomers, Heather Hadi and Joseph Hale, compete for the position currently held by Preston Worley, who has served since 2017. The election will take place on November 5, 2024.

The 7th District includes areas near Richmond Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road, as well as neighborhoods around Woodhill, Codell Drive, Squires Road, and Hays Boulevard. Hale, 45, currently works as an IT coordinator with the Kentucky Department for Public Health. He has already started addressing local concerns, notably traffic issues in his district. He organized a meeting with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding the R-cut project aimed at alleviating congestion in the Richmond Road corridor.

“Traffic is one of the top concerns for the district,” Hale said. He also advocates for adding sidewalks and bike lanes along Old Todds Road, which he describes as dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. Furthermore, he mentioned the need for park beautification in the Woodhill neighborhood and is interested in establishing a new fire station due to stretched resources.

Hale shares concerns about affordable housing, highlighting a need to leverage new urban service boundary expansions for such development. He emphasized the importance of regulating short-term rental properties, stating the potential impacts on neighborhood property values.

On the other hand, Hadi, 36, is an immigration and family attorney who has roots in Lexington. As a single mother, she prioritizes transparency and equity. “I have a vision for Lexington’s future,” she noted, focusing on inclusivity and community engagement in local governance.

Hadi also prioritizes affordable housing, advocating for responsible infill development to avoid gentrification. She supports using new zoning expansions for affordable housing options and believes developers should be incentivized to include affordable units in their projects. “Sometimes you have to make people do what’s right,” she stated.

Both candidates agree on the need to address traffic congestion creatively, with Hadi suggesting solutions implemented in larger cities. However, they diverge on the proposed property tax for city parks, with both candidates indicating they would prefer focusing on higher priority issues, such as transportation and community outreach.

As the election approaches, both Hale and Hadi are campaigning actively, engaging with residents to understand their needs and concerns better. “I want to make an impact,” Hadi remarked about her commitment to community involvement.

The race in Lexington is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the district, as voters consider the vision and plans outlined by both candidates on key issues affecting their community.