Crescent Springs voters will select a mayor to serve for the next four years. Three men have served in the role in the current term.
Mayor Lou Hartfiel, who was first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018, died in office in April 2021 at the age of 83. Justin Hartfiel, who was elected to council in 2020, was appointed to serve as mayor. He stepped down earlier this year to focus on educational pursuits.
Councilman Mike Daugherty was then appointed mayor and is now seeking a full term in the role. He is challenged by Jeff Smith.
Both Daugherty and Smith answered questions from LINK nky ahead of Tuesday’s election.
Why are you running for this office and what would be your top priority if elected?
Mike Daugherty: I was elected by my peers on council when the previous mayor resigned unexpectedly. Previous administrations had been using small portions of our reserves to balance the budget and I believe in not spending more than we bring in. This year’s budget is balanced income to expenditures and I look to continue that practice. Controlling spending, while making sure that our residents are safe is my top priority.
Jeff Smith: I am running for the mayor’s office because the city hasn’t had solid leadership in some time. The new mayor elected will be the fourth mayor the city has had in less than two years. My top priority if elected would be to work towards resolving the traffic issues we have on Buttermilk Pike and some of the main thoroughfares and side streets. Keeping the city’s infrastructure maintained would be key as well. The city doesn’t have a long-term repair/replacement schedule for its most valuable assets, their streets, which will be implemented.
With heightened concern around the region related to pedestrian and cyclist safety, what do you think should be done to improve this area in your city?
Daugherty: The city just participated with Ft. Mitchell, the county and the state to improve safety on Bromley-Crescent Springs Road by totally remaking the road and adding a bike/pedestrian path. I will be looking at other areas where pedestrian safety may need improving by working with the police to identify any area they believe needs improvement. They are the experts in that field and I respect their judgement.
Smith: As far as cyclist and pedestrian safety goes, the City of Crescent Springs has sidewalks throughout its many neighborhoods, with a newly finished section along Western Reserve. Areas that could be addressed would be connecting the subdivisions off of Amsterdam Rd. with the new section on Bromley-Crescent Springs Rd.
Cities have benefited from federal funds to recover from the pandemic, but that one-time cash infusion is unlikely to happen again. What steps should be taken to ensure that the city remain on strong financial footing?
Daugherty: We need to continue to spend within our means, while keeping public safety and services top of mind.
Smith: Leaders should be able to administer a solid budget using the revenue made available to them with minimal amending of the budget. Programs and items that don’t directly affect the community’s welfare and safety should be reviewed and addressed. Finding ways to save money and put it to work where needed will be my initiative.
Access to affordable housing in Northern Kentucky, as well as across the country, is increasingly a challenge. What role do you see the city government playing in addressing these concerns?
Daugherty: Within the city, there are many areas of affordable housing, the newest being townhomes constructed approximately three years ago. The city has a high percentage of affordable units. If a developer comes to us with an idea for additional affordable housing units, we need to consider it fairly.
Smith: When it comes to affordable housing, the City of Crescent Springs has various degrees of housing and rental options for all who choose to reside here.
What are the most significant infrastructure concerns in your city and what should be done to address them?
Daugherty: As a council member, my top priorities have always been the safety and security of our residents as well as looking for ways to reduce taxes and increase our way of life through maintaining solid budgetary control, qualified public works, strong fire & police services and sound administration. The biggest infrastructure issue facing Crescent Springs is the traffic flow. We have significant traffic flow along Buttermilk Pike. Into the future we will have to look at ways to bring improvements to the Buttermilk Pike stretch to help alleviate increased traffic. Another infrastructure project is finalizing the new Crescent Springs-Villa Hills Fire Department station. The project is the largest that Villa Hills and Crescent Springs have ever undertaken as a joint project and both cities achieved this together over the last four years. The new facility will greatly improve the safety of our firefighters. Ground has been broken and construction for this project has been going on over the last few months. We are excited to see this project become a reality sometime in late 2023!
Smith: Traffic on Buttermilk Pike during the rush hours in our city has gotten out of hand. Traffic light timing seems to be part of the issue. I would work with state officials to potentially find a solution to this problem. My other concern is that there are some streets in the city that haven’t seen attention in over 20 years. I would help devise a 5-to-10-year street program that would be key to keeping the city’s roads repaired and replaced.
The city has a major interstate exit with bustling commercial development, but there is also a city that is home to residents. How would you describe the Crescent Springs that others don’t see as they drive past or pop in quickly for a trip to one of your chain stores?
Daugherty: Crescent Springs is a close-knit bedroom community with easy access to local shopping and the interstate. With one of the lowest tax rates in Kenton Co., we provide best in class fire and police services to our residents and visitors. The community park is a highly used resource, bringing together people from around the region not only for youth soccer and open-use basketball courts, but with three shelters, people come from all over to enjoy the park. Within the confines of the park is also the Kenton County Veterans Memorial, the Charters of Freedom and the 9/11 memorial.
Smith: Crescent Springs is a small, safe community with a wide range of services including a lot of local family-owned businesses that bring character to the city as well as many large service companies that make it convenient to live here and not have to leave the area. The city has a centrally located large park that kids as well as adults can enjoy and relax at. It hosts several activities throughout the summer. My wife and I have lived here for over 35 years and we love the central location to everything. It’s a great place to live!
