The people of Lexington, KY have suffered at the hands of local leadership during severe weather systems that incapacitate our city. During these weather events, all the surrounding counties and municipalities demonstrate their capacity to manage effectively. Yet, here in Fayette County, Mayor Linda Gorton and her administration have repeatedly failed to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens. Our trust has been eroded by this consistent inability to adequately prepare for and respond to crises that jeopardize the lives and properties of those in Lexington. Even the most mild weather events have had a crippling effect on our city. This isn’t a response to one incident - it is a pattern of behavior and a dereliction of duty by our mayor. 

Time and again, we have witnessed other regions activating their emergency protocols efficiently while our leadership remains in disarray. Roads become impassable, emergency services are delayed, and schoolchildren are left wondering if they will be able to make it to school safely. FCPS should not be cancelling school when teachers are already braving the road conditions and have arrived at school, just to be told that school has been cancelled. 

The role of any elected leader is to protect the interests of the people, yet Mayor Gorton has shown a profound disconnection from this responsibility. The recurring failures in infrastructure management and safety protocols during critical times have emphasized a lack of planning, coordination, and urgency that our community simply cannot endure any longer.

We deserve leadership that prioritizes the safety and preparedness of our community, one that we can count on to step up and take decisive action necessary. It’s time for change, and it’s time for accountability. We demand the Urban County Council to take immediate action by passing a no-confidence resolution urging Mayor Gorton to resign her position. We deserve better leadership in our city and demand action from our elected officials to keep our safety as a priority.