Hoptown’s Citizens Agenda: The issues that matter most to you this election

Earlier this year, Hoptown Chronicle announced that we were adopting a new approach to election coverage — one that shifts the focus from horse race politics and digs deeper into issues of importance within the community.

We asked you to tell us what specific questions you wanted candidates to answer in the lead-up to the election and we worked to ensure responses were representative of the entire community.

After receiving more than 60 responses, we are publishing a draft of our Citizens Agenda. It includes the priorities that were most frequently referenced and questions we distilled from your responses.

Your answers have already helped to shape our election coverage — and driven the conversation at local candidate forums. But this is just the first step. Next, we plan to put your questions in front of the candidates and ask them to respond.

You want leaders who will help grow the local economy.

You asked questions like:

• How will you work together with government, nonprofit and business leaders to encourage economic development?
• How will you work to revitalize downtown Hopkinsville?
• How will you work to attract more restaurants, retail businesses, industrial projects and tourism opportunities to the area?
• What specific steps will you take to help grow jobs in the area?
• What plans do you have to address blight and overdue repairs to sidewalks and roads?

You want affordable living options for all residents.

You asked questions like: 

• How will you address the housing shortage?
• How will you expand housing for residents of all ages, including the development of assisted living communities and affordable home options for young adults?
• What will you do to get homeless residents off the street?

You want candidates who will take measures to reduce crime.

You asked questioned like:

• What specific measures will you take to reduce gun violence and violent crime in our community?
• How will you prioritize the reduction of drug activity in our community? How will you make it a priority for law enforcement? What is your plan to help those struggling with addiction in our community?

You want local representatives to support the health and well-being of all residents.

You asked questions like:

• What is the best way that we as a community can tackle the COVID-19 pandemic?
• How would you address health care inequalities and improve living conditions for low-income residents?
• How would you help to bridge racial divides in our community?

You want elected officials to act in the following ways:

• Prioritize transparency, listen to the concerns of all residents, and are visible in the community.
• Work collaboratively.

You also ranked the following among issues of importance:

• Partisan vs. nonpartisan elections.
• Reducing the county’s tax burden.
• Establishing a library tax.
• Supporting tornado recovery and the development of rural storm shelters.

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Did we get it right?

As we continue to build our citizens agenda throughout the election cycle, we need your help. Let us know how we can further refine these priorities by submitting your feedback below.

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Behind the survey

We wanted to be sure the citizens agenda included the voices of all residents — not just our readers — including those who have been historically underrepresented.

With this aim in mind, we asked for help from neighborhood associations and civic groups — like the Modernettes and the Focus 21st Century Minority Leadership Program — in soliciting feedback. Several of these groups distribute the survey to their audiences, and we plan to continue working to find new ways to reach members from broad socioeconomic backgrounds.

In addition to this outreach, we published the survey on our website, included it in our newsletter, pushed it out via email and promoted it on our social channels.

Respondents were not required to provide demographic information, but 90% did. Here is what we know.

Respondents by race

• 73% identified as white (According to 2022 U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 72% of Christian County’s population is white.)
• 15% identified as Black or African American (Approximately 22% of Christian County’s population is Black or African American.)
• 3% identified as Asian (Approximately 1.5% of Christian County’s population is Asian.)

Respondents by age

• 20% were between the ages of 18 and 39
• 42% were between the ages of 40 and 64
• 38% were 65 and older