BRITTANY CAMPBELL, a Versailles native and nearly lifelong resident, and founder of Strengthening Transitions, Inc., was surrounded by family, close friends and colleagues while being celebrated and honored by the Versailles City Council, the Woodford County Fiscal Court and Gov. Andy Beshear at the Feb. 17 Versailles City Council meeting. From left (with all six councilmembers and Mayor Laura Dake behind them), Ayana Dyce-Williams, Lisa McNary, Nyechi Oleka, Donna Campbell, Brittany Campbell, Caleb Hack, Charlie Everage and Mike McNary. (Photo by Scott White)
Brittany Campbell, who started the first nonprofit in Woodford County created by a Black woman, was honored at the Feb. 17 Versailles City Council Meeting for her success and commitment in operating it.
Strengthening Transformations, Inc. was recognized by Versailles Mayor Laura Dake and the Versailles City Council with a Key to the City, by the Woodford County Judge-Executive James Kay and the Fiscal Court with a Recognition of Service, and with a letter of praise from Gov. Andy Beshear, who requested Kay read it since travel obligations prevented him from attending.
Founded in 2017 by Campbell, according to its website, Strengthening Transformations “advocates, mentors, and educates women and girls through workshops and community partnerships, with the belief that empowerment is the key to breaking generational cycles and strengthening foundations.”
In 2022, she described her decision to begin the organization to Voyage ATL magazine in a profile: “Being a teen mother opened my eyes to so many situations that women and girls like myself went through on a daily basis. I quickly learned that in my community, there weren’t many opportunities for ‘life’ assistance that I needed when facing certain challenges . . . these instances put me in a dark space of deep depression that I just knew I was never going to come through,” she said. “So, I started Strengthening Transformations Inc., focusing on women and girls with the belief ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ To be honest, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for God’s grace and mercy.”
Before reading the resolution giving her the Key to the City, Dake said, “This is a really special recognition – look how much she’s smiling!” The resolution concluded saying it was being given “in recognition of her consistent servant leadership, her presence in our community and her dedication to the people of Versailles and Woodford County.”
Beshear’s letter said, “Your work in the community is important. Strengthening Transformations addresses an ongoing need in the community to empower minority girls, women and families who face challenges of domestic violence, substance abuse and teen pregnancy in Woodford County. Your personal understanding of these challenges fuels your commitment and dedication to put an end to these negative generational cycles and turn adversities into strengths.”
While presenting her with the Fiscal Court recognition, Kay said, “It is people like Brittany who take the mantle of leadership . . . and who do the hard work of community service in lifting up those in need in our community. While the Fiscal Court and our City Council in Versailles and Midway do great things and work together, it is leaders like Brittany and Strengthening Transformations that make Woodford County the best place in the universe.”
Paddock Drive Extension
Dake informed the council that the city received a $1.4 million of Kentucky city project funding to complete the extension of Paddock Drive and turn lanes. This is a requirement the city is obliged to fulfill as part of the settlement of the Edgewood Farm litigation.
Dake said there is disinformation about this project in the community, mainly on social media, so she did last week’s “2 Minutes with the Mayor” on the topic. She also directed anyone with questions to the city’s website, where an informative “Q & A” about the facts of the project can be found.
New Community Stadium turf
At its last meeting, the council approved a contribution of $153,000 towards the cost and installation of a required new turf field at Community Stadium. The county and Woodford County Public Schools are making the same contribution.
At the first meeting where it was brought up, several councilmembers, including Fred Siegelman, raised concerns that this was more than the city’s fair share of the project. As a result, the council referred the matter to the Finance Committee.
At the Feb. 17 meeting, Siegelman, after first saying the project was a good one and needed, said the Finance Committee had recommended a contribution of $75,000 as the appropriate contribution amount.
“In all the years I was mayor and on council, the council always followed the recommendation of the finance committee,” he said.
Recognizing that he missed the meeting where the $153,000 contribution was approved, due to illness, and at which Councilmember Gary Jones was also out, he requested the council reconsider its decision,
“When it comes to special projects (like the turf replacement), we are only responsible to the Versailles taxpayers,” he said. “I don’t want to feel like we are paying extra dollars, which is a double taxation when we all also pay county and school taxes.”
City Attorney Bill Moore said an agreement had already been reached since the last meeting, where the mayor was directed to negotiate the terms of an installment plan.
“The council voted 4-0, so since the mayor negotiated the terms, then the matter is finished.”
Councilmember Ann Miller added, “I appreciate your position, Fred, but I don’t think you had all the information we had when it was voted on – that we could pay it over years, which is what changed my mind.”
Contracts
The City Council approved the following contracts recommended by the appropriate department head: $15,134.65 to Bachman Commercial for the purchase of a new vehicle to replace one that had been totaled in an accident – the amount paid by the city is after the insurance payment of $27,962; and $18,075 to Bi-Water Farm, the only bidder, for downtown flowers in 2026, which is the same cost as 2025.