Lexington’s 2nd District has seen rapid growth. How council candidates want to address it

The two candidates vying for the 2nd District seat on the Lexington council say they are steadfast in their dedication to advocacy for their constituents in a fast-paced growing community.

Both incumbent Josh McCurn and candidate Shayla Lynch say they are passionate about their desire to serve, and are seeking the opportunity to do so in the Nov. 8 election.

The 2nd District is one of the largest and fastest growing council districts. It extends from West Main Street to Newtown Pike inside of New Circle Road. Outside of New Circle Road, it extends from Leestown Road to Newtown Pike and includes Citation Boulevard, Mercer Road and Spurr Road.

Who are the candidates?

Incumbent Josh McCurn has served on the council since November 2018. He got a political science degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and moved to Lexington shortly afterward. He served as the president of the McConnell’s Trace Neighborhood Association and co-chair to a business leadership and diversity committee.

He currently volunteers as a mentor and coach with the Lexington Youth Soccer Association.

Aside from his work on the council, he serves on 13 other city boards and committees. He and his wife Paige have two children, Adam and Chase.

Lynch attended Centre College where she was a double major in English and government, and later attended law school at the University of Louisville. She moved to Lexington in 2004 and worked as assistant director for the Lexington Fair Housing Council. She has worked on several boards, including the Fayette County Public School’s Equity Council and the Ethics Commission.

She is a member of the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Neighborhoods in Transition Task Force and currently serves on the city’s Social Services Advisory Commission.

She serves as the executive director for the Carnegie Literacy and Learning Center and owns a small business as a personal trainer and fitness instructor.

What are the top issues?

For Lynch and McCurn, they agree the district is a growing community. While growth is a positive, it can create some trickle down effects, such as increased traffic and a greater need for commercial stores.

“We are growing at a very rapid pace,” McCurn said. “Almost 20 years ago, some of the neighborhoods you see now were farmland and they have been converted into rooftops and are expanding into more. You feel the growing pains with that, such as traffic and seeing the resources we need in our area.”

McCurn said he wants to see community needs met and amenities provided with a grocery store, restaurants and retail options.

Lynch said the commercial growth has not caught up with the residential expansion, and she would like to help fill the gap within the district.

“We need easy access to shopping and to have places where families can go, have fun and do family events that aren’t too far from their driveway,” she said.

Lynch also said she’d work proactively with the state and other partners to handle traffic issues.

Both said crime and affordable housing are other issues they want to address.

“Protecting our neighborhoods is key to our future,” said McCurn. “From addressing crime to more street and traffic lights, sidewalks, seeing that our staffing levels in LFUCG are brought up.”

Lynch said affordable housing is a “city-wide challenge.”

“We are still building housing, apartments and communities, but the affordability for those is the pivot,” Lynch said. “Housing affordability is at crisis point in the city and we need to figure out how we can address it and make some long term decisions.”

Shayla Lynch

Age: 43

Job experience: Executive Director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning; Executive Director for the Ampersand Sexual Violence and Resource Center

Offices held: Assistant Director of the Lexington Fair Housing Council; board member for Lexington Habitat for Humanity; board member for the Kentucky Assoc. of Sexual Assault Programs; LFCUG planning and development, property tax appeals board, and Equity Council Committee.

Family: Parents Wendell and Bonnie Lynch

Josh McCurn

Age: 32

Job experience: Realtor with Building the Bluegrass

Offices held: 2nd District City Council member since 2018; President of McConnell’s Trace Neighborhood Association; Co-chair of a business leadership and diversity committee; Environmental Quality & Public Works Committee (Vice-Chair); Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee; Planning & Public Safety Committee; Lexington MPO Transportation Policy Committee; Masterson Station Park Advisory Board; Animal Care and Control Advisory Committee; and Commission on Veterans’ Affairs.

Family: Wife Paige; children Adam and Chase; and dogs Gracie, Lexi and Toben.