Why do you want to hold the office of Fiscal Court Magistrate?
Larry Blackford: I am not a politician, but a servant-leader. As an educator, I listened to students while understanding how to work together to solve difficult problems for their betterment. As a minister, I am drawn to serve, help, and respect people. It is important that every citizen feels respected and valued. Our community needs leadership to serve with integrity and character, which is why I’m running. I humbly ask for your support in my continuing servant-leader role. I wish elected officials realized as God-ordained servants, we aspire to serve to serve all the people in a just and fair way.
Mike Gampper: I’m running because I care about Woodford County’s future and the community where my wife and I are raising our six children. I want to preserve a community where future generations can afford to live and thrive. My professional experience leading teams and managing budgets will help me demand accountability, transparency, and responsible spending. Guided by my faith, I view leadership as a responsibility and public service as an opportunity to make a difference. I will listen to residents, amplify their voices, protect green spaces, prioritize families, and approach growth responsibly to leave Woodford County better for generations ahead.
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?
Blackford: I think it is a good idea and a way to help young farmers to obtain some little meaningful financial funds to use for their interest. But, with this amount of funds being $2,000 it would still be good to know the effectiveness and results and how it’s being used. Then if we continue this grant program then I like to see it broaden for others summer programs for young students in the community. Like working at Falling Springs, road department, recycling center, and Health Department, working limited hours a week with pay structure like the Youth Employment Programs.
Gampper: Expanding the Woodford County Young/New Farmer Program invests in our community’s future by supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders and preserving our farming heritage, agricultural land, and rural character. I would support broadening eligibility by removing age restrictions to include retirees interested in farming their land and pursuing additional funding. The Fiscal Court should collaborate with local businesses to organize events that generate matching funds, with proceeds reinvested into the county. As Woodford County grows, we must protect our agricultural identity while creating opportunities for future generations. We have a responsibility to leave them a stronger agricultural legacy.
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?
Blackford: I think that the Landlord and tenant ordinance is a win-win for both parties with some responsibilities and accountability. As a renter it is vitally important that they feel pleased and respected by the landlord while paying their monthly rent, and the landlord feels that his tenants respect his property. It appears that the ordinance is written to build mutual and respectful relationships between both parties. While both need to feel that they are pleased with their financial investments especially in these times. Where money has never grown on trees and it never will.
Gampper: I respect the ordinance’s intent to protect tenants and ensure fair treatment, but good intentions don’t guarantee good policy. Adopting this statute could increase administrative, enforcement, and legal costs for taxpayers. Its broad requirements may unfairly burden small landlords who lack the resources of larger property management companies. We must also consider whether compliance costs and legal complexity could increase rents or discourage rental housing, worsening affordability. KRS 383.500 requires adopting the act without amendments, limiting local flexibility. I support targeted solutions that protect tenants, consider landlords, and preserve housing affordability without automatically defaulting to expanded government regulation.