The following op-ed is written by Julie Smith-Morrow, candidate for Newport city commission.
I’m a candidate for Newport city commissioner. I ask for your votes on May 17 so I can advance to the November 8 general election. To help you decide to vote for me, I’ll explain why I’m running for commissioner. First, I need to answer the questions “Who am I?” and “What do I do?”
“Who am I?” Many answer this by talking about our high schools. I graduated from Brookfield Central High School in Brookfield, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin suburb. But “the rest of my story” requires explanation of details, detours, and the ups and downs of my life. Summarizing that goes like this: it was not until years later, as a single mother and older than average student, that I earned a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy and a Doctorate in Plant Genetics from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. I married John Morrow in 1995. I am the mother of three sons — two live in Austin, Texas, and the third is in Greenville, South Carolina. And I’m a cat mother of four.
I wasn’t born in Newport, but I got here as fast as I could! Twenty years ago, John and I decided to leave Lubbock and the Texas panhandle and move cross-country to Newport. We drove away, with three cats and two dogs in early 2003, leaving Lubbock in our rear-view mirror. We were full of hope for our future in Newport. I was thrilled that we could walk across the street to Pompilios and a few blocks more to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Newport folks were so friendly, and we met many new friends. I fell in love with our new hometown.
“What do I do?” Plain and simple, I work for my community. I serve because I have a deep and personal connection to children and families. I believe all people deserve to live in safety, become educated and prepared to work, and have quality housing. For almost one-quarter century, I worked in volunteer and non-profit leadership positions with Goodwill Industries in Lubbock and in this area with Freestore Foodbank, and Dress for Success. John and I connected with the East Row Historic Foundation, and I was elected its Gateway Representative (2004). Governor Beshear appointed me to the Gateway Board of Directors (2014 –2019 term). Newport voters have elected me to the Board of Education five times since 2007, and I currently serve as board vice chair.
During my time on the school board, we have worked for improving student achievement and graduation rates; building vocational and arts programs; maintaining, upgrading, and building facilities; keeping district finances in excellent shape; and managing education during the Covid pandemic. Newport Schools doesn’t work alone, and all progress depends on relationship building — with parents supporting their students, businesses providing resources, and with the City in our partnership resulting in economic development projects.
I love working with others to reach mutual goals. I’m a collaborator. At different times and in different situations, I’ve been a leader, a follower, or a team member. I gravitate toward work that is needed most.
Why am I running? I appreciate that great work has gone before us, ever since the settlers from the east arrived in Kentucky after the American Revolution. Good work continues with our current City government. My service in the Newport non-profit and education community and my work as a professional genealogist has helped me appreciate Newport’s long history and our early families who came for land, jobs, and religious freedom. While Newport has grown, many are still struggling here. We still have much to do, and I hope to be part of that work.
I don’t have a personal agenda, but I focus on working together on issues that affect everyone in Newport. I’m skilled in working with others, appreciate different perspectives about our shared work, and have shown an ability to maintain focus. It will be my job as your Newport Commissioner to listen to you, our mayor, other commission colleagues, and our City’s manager, and then find consensus for our most important priorities.
Priorities reflect our background and experience. As one of your Newport Commissioners my top priorities will be public safety, economic development, and housing:
- We must keep all our neighborhoods safe. I’ll support appropriate staffing and training in our police and fire departments — as much as our budget allows.
- We must bring revenue to Newport and provide good jobs for residents. I’ll work to support current businesses and attract beneficial developments and individual entrepreneurs. I’ll support businesses that can provide jobs here in Newport.
- We need affordable, quality housing. Everyone deserves a good place to live. Nobody should be homeless or live in deteriorating properties. Building codes must be enforced. Historic structures should be preserved and reused whenever possible. I’ll work to provide even more opportunities for homeowners and renters.
- I’ll also face infrastructure needs, environmental concerns, and maintenance and rebuilding of parks head-on. These concerns are not less important, and all need attention.
This list is not exhaustive. I recognize that public service requires knowing my constituents and their issues. An important reason to elect someone is because you believe they’ll listen to your needs, concerns, and hopes for the future. Another is because you know that person will work to understand issues and make the best decisions, based on available information and on what serves the best interests of the people. These decisions aren’t always popular and they’re never easy!
To represent you well, I need to hear from you. I’ll respond to your concerns and answer your questions. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it. I’m excited to work with you and grow Newport. I believe my record shows I have the personal and leadership qualities, commitment, and experience needed in a Newport Commissioner. I ask for your vote on May 17. Please contact me at julie.smithmorrow@gmail.com or 513.237.3302.
