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Lexington Mayor Jim Gray Appoints Joe Smith to Council

Stu Johnson

Mayor Jim Gray has appointed longtime realtor and lifelong Lexington resident Joe Smith to the Urban County Council representing the Second District.  

Smith’s appointment comes following the April resignation of Sasha Love Higgins.  

Love Higgins stepped down following felony theft indictments against her.

In addition to his real estate work, Smith has most recently served on the city’s planning commission.  Mayor Gray says the 62-year-old is well-suited for this new role in government, saying Smith comes in to this seat with a fresh perspective as well as experience.

There's an effort underway to update the county’s comprehensive plan.  Smith, who will leave his post on the planning commission, is not prepared to say whether the urban service boundary should be expanded,  “Whatever comes out of it I think will be positive for the city, once it’s completed, update the five year plan. We’ll be okay."

Joe Smith began his community service in high school.  Never serving previously in public office, Smith admits he has no specific priorities for the downtown district right now. 

“I don’t want to prejudge any area or any neighborhood.  I want to see what they have to say.  What they feel their improvements need to be done.  My job is to listen.  It’s not for me to come in there and tell them what they need to do,” said Smith.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council now has a 15-day window, should it decide to overturn the appointment.

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