Leticia Cline, left, and Dwyane Hatcher, right, joined to answer questions during a political forum held for candidates in Cave City on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. The two are running for mayor.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
CAVE CITY — Two of the three candidates running for mayor in Barren County’s second largest city detailed their plans for the city’s future at a political forum held Tuesday evening.
The Cave City Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum at the Cave City Convention Center. Candidates running for mayor and city council were there with about 50 community members.
Among the mayoral candidates present were Dwayne Hatcher, the incumbent, and Leticia Cline, a city councilperson. J.R. Poynter did not participate.
Cline described her history in the community as a 1996 graduate of Barren County High School, co-owner of the Dive Bar and the mother to a 20-year-old son. She also touted her experience as an accountant and communications specialist for several companies.
“Experience is not political,” she said. “I think if we’re going to have a say in how our city is ran and our quality of life, we need to elect one of us.”
Hatcher, who has served as mayor for 12 years, described his career as an educator and coach in the Caverna Independent school system and his family consisting of six children. He graduated from Caverna High in 1966.
He touted accomplishments during his tenure as mayor such as lower tax rates, improved equipment for the police and public works department and improving the city budget.
“Government’s one purpose is to serve the health, welfare and safety of its citizens the best way you can with the financial position you’re in,” Hatcher said.
The candidates were asked questions from how they might improve the quality of life for city residents to their personal attributes conducive to their leadership. Two themes woven through most of the questions – the future of Cave City and communication with residents.
Hatcher admitted most of the ideas he and Cline share for the city’s future are not different. The way to get those ideas into motion is, however.
“We’re all working, trying to progress,” he said.
Cline said she believed gentrification would help Cave City because of the many under-utilized properties. She also advocated for mixed-use properties, which are those with dual purposes such as storefronts with apartments above them.
“We need to have our citizens so proud of where they live that it hurts and they want to just tell everyone about it,” she said. “You do that by civic pride.”
The candidates agreed more personnel should be hired to handle duties across city government such as code enforcement and grant writing. The current code enforcement officer has not been able to fulfill duties due to health reasons, they said.
Chris Summers, a former city resident of 25 years, moderated the forum.
Watch an archive of the forum at the Cave City Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
