The Alexandria City Council has seven candidates vying for six seats this November.
Incumbents Joe Anderson, Tom Baldridge, Stacey Graus and Robert Strong are seeking reelection, with Patrick Blair, Shane Collins and Michael McGrath looking to be elected.
Alexandria City Council (7 candidates, vote for 6)
Click on the candidate’s names to learn more about them:
Joe Anderson
Joe Anderson is seeking reelection with infrastructure at the top of mind.
He said the development of the new city campus is a top issue for the city, and he is committed to keeping Alexandria cost-effective.
If he is reelected, he said his top priorities include installing three pickleball courts at the city park.
“I’m pleased to say money was inserted in this year’s budget and hoping for a spring of 2025 to have those courts open and the residents playing on them,” Anderson said.
Another concern he has is the condition of the fishing pier at Alexandria Community Park, which he said he has discussed at city council meetings. Anderson said as of Friday, Sept. 13, the Alexandria Public Works Department is remodeling the pier. He also hopes to host a two-hour fishing event off the dock once the remodeling is complete.
Another concern he has is the condition of the fishing pier at Alexandria Community Park, which he said he has discussed at city council meetings. Anderson said as of Friday, Sept. 13, the Alexandria Public Works Department is remodeling the pier. He also hopes to host a two-hour fishing event off the dock once the remodeling is complete.
“I will combine my current experience on city council with a gut feeling that this is one of the best places in Northern Kentucky to buy a home, raise a family and send your sons or daughters to school,” Anderson said.
Tom Baldridge
Tom Baldridge is seeking reelection to keep taxes affordable, keep the city safe and maintain roads.
He said the most pressing issue in Alexandria today is smart growth.
Should he be reelected, his top priorities include maintaining a balanced budget, keeping taxes affordable, repairing streets and watching over the construction of the new city campus.
“I know finance and budgets,” Baldridge said. “I ask questions that most people will not ask.”
Patrick Blair
Patrick Blair was appointed to the Alexandria City Council in May after a former council member left a vacancy due to a move out of the city.
Blair said he became motivated to participate in public service by attending the Campbell County Citizens Academy.
He said the most pressing issue in the city today is controlled growth. Blair said growing smartly and controlled is key to maintaining space and balancing the pace of life.
Blair said that should he be elected as the current chair of the future planning committee, he plans to ensure Alexandria has a “seat at the table” with county, region and state entities. He said the city has working partnerships with elected and civic partners throughout the region and will ensure that those relationships continue to strengthen.
“I believe firmly that controlled growth comes with responsibility,” Blair said. “A great example is the design of the future City of Alexandria Complex that is in development. It will be a community asset for decades and is being designed thoughtfully and responsibly to serve the needs of Alexandria today, but also deep into the future.”
Blair said his three decades of business experience and his rural upbringing helped set him apart from his running mates. Blair has experience in management, marketing and communications for companies like Eli Lilly and Procter & Gamble.
Shane Collins
Shane Collins said he is running for office to see the city thrive by identifying and eliminating any potential waste in the budget, freeing funds to make city sidewalks more walkable, streets more drivable, and police fully funded and equipped.
Should he be elected, Collins said he would like to help the city negotiate better prices on construction projects in the city.
Collins is a real estate investor who said owning and operating his business set him apart from the other candidates. He said he negotiates deals daily and is never afraid to “work in the trenches” with his crew.
“A vote for me is a vote for common sense, fiscal responsibility and respecting the traditional values of the families that built this city and made it great,” Collins said.
Stacey Graus
Stacey Graus has served on the city council for 26 years. As the finance chair, Graus said he is seeking reelection to ensure the best options for financing the construction of the new city complex are selected.
Graus said his top priorities include managing growth, working with the county and the state to ensure infrastructure needs are met, ensuring the city is in a good financial position, providing additional amenities to the citizens and ensuring a safe community.
Should he be reelected, Graus said his first priority is completing the city complex promptly and economically efficiently. His second priority is continuing to ensure that roads are paved, the community is safe and the city appropriately manages its budget. His third priority is improving the residents’ quality of life.
Graus said he has worked with different mayors and department heads throughout his tenure and will use his 26 years of experience to anticipate issues and deal with them head-on.
“I have seen economic downturn and upturn while sitting on council,” Graus said. “I have been the finance chairman for several years so I am intimately aware of the budgetary needs of the city as well as how to grow the city coffers.”
Michael McGrath
Michael McGrath is seeking a spot on the Alexandria city council to see sustainable growth and prioritize the needs of families and small businesses.
McGrath said he is committed to investing in infrastructure and prioritizing affordable housing initiatives. He aims to work with the county to develop long-term growth strategies prioritizing sustainability and smart development. McGrath said he will listen to the community’s needs and work collaboratively to address them.
McGrath said it’s important to balance progress and preservation to ensure that Alexandria remains vibrant. This includes investing in infrastructure, promoting smart development practices and preserving the local environment.
Should he be elected, McGrath said that one of his top priorities is ensuring business retention. He plans to do that by making sure the city provides desired options and events for dining and recreation to help create a sense of community and attract new customers to local businesses.
McGrath said his experience as a small business owner and background in resource management make him a strong candidate.
“As a small business owner, I understand the challenges and opportunities that local businesses face,” he said. “My firsthand experience can help advocate for policies and initiatives that support small businesses and promote economic growth in the community.”
Additionally, he said his background in resource management will be beneficial in ensuring that growth in Alexandria is sustainable and responsible.
Michael McGrath did not submit a headshot to LINK nky.
Robert Strong
Robert Strong is seeking reelection because he said he has always served Alexandria in some way. Whether that be coaching knotholes or serving on the local sewer commission.
Strong listed out what he thinks are the most pressing issues for Alexandria:
- Low taxes and balanced budgets.
- Keeping the police and fire departments functional and well-equipped.
- Balancing green spaces with new developments.
- Maintaining and growing small businesses.
- Having robust recreation programs for all citizens.
- See a future revitalized “Old Town District” on Main Street.
- Keeping streets upgraded and repaired.
Should he be reelected, Strong said his first priority would be to continue being available to all citizens.
As the personnel committee chair, Strong said he wants to keep salaries competitive with other cities’ police departments, administration staff and maintenance departments.
He has also served on the steering committee for the construction of the new city campus. Strong said his 43 years of construction management will help complete this project.
That construction experience is what he said makes him a unique candidate. His work includes industrial, commercial, heavy highway, precast, tilt-up and decorative concrete. Strong said he has worked on bridges, Cincinnati skyscapes and Newport on the Levee streetscapes.
“I ran my own business for several years and I think using my construction and business skills make me a great candidate to have a seat on council,” Strong said.
