Why do you want to hold the office of Fiscal Court Magistrate?
Kelly Carl: Serving as magistrate these last 8 years means more to me than a title. It’s about people in our community, a place we love and call home. The most rewarding part of serving is knowing that even the smallest action makes a difference in so many lives. I want to continue as magistrate for my community, serving with integrity, compassion and a commitment to work hard for the people who put their trust in me. It’s about protecting what makes our community special while working together to make it better for the generations to come.
Teresa Huddleston: I want to serve as Magistrate for District 4 because I live here, raised my family here, and care deeply about our community. I’m not a politician; I’m a neighbor who wants to give back to the county that has given so much to my family. I will bring common sense, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to the Fiscal Court. I believe in working together, listening to residents, spending tax dollars wisely, and planning responsibly for our future. My goal is to be an accessible, dependable voice for District 4, serving the people with honesty and integrity— not politics.
Fiscal Court has funded a young farmer program over the last two budget years. Do you support this? Would you expand it with additional funding or widen the qualifications to widen the scope for the applicants?
Carl: I support the young farmer program and the current $50,000 budget appropriation. I will continue to support programs that protect our farmers, food supply and precious land.
Huddleston: I support the Young Farmer Program because preserving our farms and investing in the next generation are important to Woodford County’s agricultural future. The program can help young farmers develop business planning and leadership skills while strengthening our community and economy. Before considering additional funding, I would want to review the program’s performance over the past two years, including how many applicants it has helped and the results achieved. If the program has made a positive impact, I would then review the county budget to determine whether additional funding is financially responsible.
Midway recently adopted a Landlord-Tenant ordinance which incorporates a Kentucky statute that provides significant protections to tenants and a non-court process to resolve disputes. Would you support the Fiscal Court adopting such an ordinance?
Carl: The Fiscal Court should carefully review Midway’s action and hear public input to determine the best path to follow. Landlords and tenants need to be supported with clear guidelines.
Huddleston: Before voting on this proposal, I would ask the County Attorney to clarify whether Woodford County has adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and whether the proposed ordinance creates any new legal obligations. I recognize the importance of safe and habitable rental housing. However, I believe we should understand the full scope of the proposed ordinance, including its impact on landlords and tenants, enforcement procedures, administrative costs, and the county’s legal authority, before making a final decision. I would like those questions answered and the proposed ordinance reviewed before we proceed with a vote.