This year, Broken Sidewalk asked each Metro Council candidate to respond to a survey of questions related to the topics we cover here on the site: urbanism, transportation, health, and the environment. Broken Sidewalk will make no endorsements this year for Metro Council candidates, but we hope these survey responses—published verbatim—are helpful to voters in making up their minds.
We will be publishing the results by district. Below is District 14. Our survey included two types of questions: 1. multiple choice answers about personal behaviors and views, and 2. longer responses on a range of topics. Each candidate was also given an optional open field to expand upon a topic of their choosing, if they so desired.
Louisville Metro Council District 14 comprises part of Pleasure Ridge Park in the far southwestern part of the county.
The candidates for District 14 include, in alphabetical order, retired MSD employee Eric Bullock (R), incumbent Cindi Fowler (D), and youth pastor Shane Logan Ranschaert (R).
Eric Bullock
Did not respond.
Cindi Fowler
Did not respond.
Shane Logan Ranschaert
Blevins Gap
Have often do you walk to work or for basic errands?
A few times a month
Have often do you take transit to commute to work or for basic errands?
A couple times a year
How often do you ride a bike to get to work or for errands?
A few times a month
How often do you drive in a personal motor vehicle?
Every day
How safe do you feel as a pedestrian walking on Louisville’s streets?
There’s some risk
Louisville’s transit system should expand service, infrastructure, and offerings.
Strongly Agree
The city should invest in complete street design that promotes safety for all road users.
Agree
Walkable and transit-oriented development should be promoted over auto-oriented development.
Disagree
Louisville should repair and maintain its existing transportation network before widening or building new roads.
Undecided
Historic architecture promotes the economic vitality of the Louisville region.
Agree
Describe your favorite walk OR your favorite place to hang out in your neighborhood.
By the bridge, over looking Pond Creek. Especially in the early Spring and Fall.
What’s the biggest issue facing your district and how would you address it?
The increase of Crime, paired with the Heroin epidemic. We have a shortage of police officers for the 3rd precinct, which is also the largest in Louisville. I would fight for and work with the LMPD to recruit more officers. I would work to make sure every neighborhood had a watch program and that they would be adequately trained. We would approach addicts in a compassionate way, and try to get them in treatment. I would also try to get a local treatment center on the Southend.
In three sentences, what does Metro Council do?
Metro Council is the voice, representation, and advocates of the population of Louisville. It serves as the legislative branch of city Government and is responsible for making laws/ordinances. Each Council district has three types of funds, in which they use those moneys to improve their districts, and city at whole.
Louisville is among the most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrian collisions and fatalities. What would you do to improve street safety for all road users in Louisville? Please cite specific examples.
Living along the Dixie corridor my entire life, I have seen this first hand, with my father being a first responder. I would make sure there are side walks along each side of every primary and secondary road, with clearly marked crosswalks with working signals, with a ensured amount of time to make sure pedestrians have a safe amount of time to cross. There are many crosswalks along Dixie, that need longer crossing signals.
What does responsible development look like in Louisville and in your district? What would you do to promote responsible development in Louisville?
Responsible development for District 14 would start with repairing and repaving Dixie Hwy, all the way through, with sidewalks and bike lanes all the way through. A raised median would be appropriate as well. I would work with state, federal and city leaders to acquire funding for the project, using our local workforce to make sure the money invested into workers is invested right into the local economy.
Louisville is among the fastest warming cities in the country. Please describe your stance on fixing Louisville’s Urban Heat Island Effect. What specific steps need to be taken to solve this problem?
No answer at this time.
How would you strike a balance between preservation, development, and economic development in Louisville?
I would strive to revitalize all historical or older properties in the city so that they could be reused in for commercial use. If a historic building cannot be saved, let the cite be used for development.
