How the mayoral candidates plan to get your votes

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Louisville, KY - By Elizabeth Donatelli - bio | email
Posted by Charles Gazaway - email

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - This week is the unofficial kickoff to the fall campaign season in Kentucky and one of the hot races is who will lead Louisville as the next mayor. We spoke with both candidates who each have their own ideas about what jobs they can bring to the Derby City. They also answered questions about tolls on the bridges.

Republican Hal Heiner announced five new ideas he has for Louisville. The first is to bring in a new industry.

"We establish Louisville as the energy research center for the nation," said Heiner, "that we build upon a recent $20 million philanthropic gift to the University of Louisville Speed School of Engineering."

Heiner spoke about working with UofL to hire five energy researchers which he says will plant the seeds for business.

"Then pull together as a community. That we go to Frankfort and find those funds to bring in the researchers and grow jobs here in Louisville," Heiner said.

We caught up with Greg Fischer, Heiner's Democratic challenger, who said Louisville should also recruit businesses in aging services.

"Louisville has more companies headquartered here in the aging services business than any city in the world, so let's take that unique strength and build on it," said Fischer.

Heiner's second idea was about the Bridges Projects. He wants to have construction begin by the end of what could be his first term.

"We have the money for the East End bridge," said Heiner. "We need to have the East End bridge under construction to relieve the overcrowding on the Kennedy Bridge."

Both agree that if tolls are absolutely necessary, then the lower, the better. They think the proposed toll is too high.

"The $3 rate that came out is ridiculous, that's way too high," said Fischer. "I want to toll to be as close to zero as possible."

Heiner also talked about completing the Southwest Regional Library, more accountability in Metro government and more efficiencies, like making it paperless.

If you want to read more about Heiner's five ideas for Louisville's future, just click on the highlighted link: Hal Heiner.