Ron Payne last served as Mayor in 2016. Since then, he said the City has become stagnant and is not seeing the progress he knows it could be making.
“When I was mayor for two terms, we were moving and accomplishing a lot. And I just don’t think we’re doing that. I think we can be so much more, and I want to get in and see what we can do to move this city forward,” Payne said.
Payne, 77, served two terms as Owensboro Mayor from 2009 to 2016. He served as an Owensboro City Commissioner from 2005-2007, and prior to that held roles as City Manager, Chief Administrative Officer, and Director of Finance & Administration.
Payne did not seek re-election in 2016 but is now eager to return to the seat. Specifically, he said the City lacks economic development, citing the loss of Churchill Downs using Towne Square Mall for the Ellis Park extension facility. Payne said that he feels the loss is “just inexcusable.” He thinks if he had been mayor, he would’ve been able to seal the deal.
During Payne’s terms as mayor, downtown saw a significant renovation — including the addition of Smothers Park and the Convention Center — but he said the energy has moved in new ways since then. While big plans are underway downtown with a hotel development and the indoor sports facility, he said the latter doesn’t make sense to pursue.
“Why, for the life of me, are we building a sports complex downtown? We’ve got sports complexes all over the city: tennis complex, football complex, soccer complex, baseball complex. We’ve got the Sportscenter, and we have a major convention center. I do not understand, and everybody I’ve talked to feels the same way,” Payne said.
He feels a need for more transparency between the City and the residents is also causing issues. While he was mayor, Payne said there was an effort to make City Commission meetings accessible to the public — whether through TV broadcasting or showcasing them on the City’s website.
Should he get elected, Payne said he also hopes to address public safety issues by supporting the police and potentially reexamining law enforcement on a broad level.
“I think we’ve got a great police department. I’m not speaking strictly about Owensboro, but in this country. I’m not sure we shouldn’t back up and relook at how we’re doing policing in this country,” Payne said.
After retiring from politics and municipal government in 2017, Payne faced some health issues. But, he said he’s found new energy since then.
“I think I’ve got the experience, and I’ve got the passion,” he said. “Municipal government has been my vocation all my life. I love it, and I just feel like I’ve got some good years left, and I want to get back here and see what else I can contribute to this community.”
