Robert Morris is seeking election to the City Commission this year, and he said he’s got a 2-year plan of how to advance Owensboro.
“My plan would be on time and on budget. It would be thought through with quality and care and with the citizens of Owensboro,” he said.
Morris, 63, said the plan touches on repairing and installing sidewalks throughout the city, supporting businesses, and developing the talent of the youth, among other things. One of the major throughlines is making sure the City is able to operate using its own talent to stay under budget.
Morris recalled that during the pandemic several dollars were coming into the community by way of grants and federal funding. Now that the pandemic has ended, he said it’s more important to be conscious of the source of the funding.
He said that includes getting the youth involved and preparing them to take positions in politics and other agencies throughout the community. He said spending money without forward thinking and creating debt can lead to a bad place.
“Debt without result is the death of a city,” Morris said. “…I want to get projects done within our means and our talents. I want to lower our debt.”
Morris said that he would work toward creating a more diverse City government, specifically regarding City-appointed committees. He said the committees are often the “same people doing the same stuff,” from his perspective.
By adding more voices at the tables, he feels the City will be able to make decisions that would better benefit the whole community. One project he noted was a senior center, saying a solution could come forward with effective, diverse leadership.
Making decisions for the wider community, he said, will also result in more residents staying or returning to their hometown if they have moved away.
Morris also said he supports passing a fairness ordinance if it would better the community.
“I was a big proponent of the fairness ordinance. I think the fairness ordinance will bring economic growth to the City. And number two, if that small document that they have will bring us together a little bit, I’m all for it,” Morris said.
Morris also hopes to support the police by reinstating a 10 p.m. curfew, helping them get back to full staff numbers, and tackling the homeless issue throughout the city.
Through his work as an entrepreneur, Morris said he has the experience to know how to support the City government’s efforts alongside the interests of the residents.
“I’ve seen what things do to cities,” he said. “I’ve seen what a little bit of paint and power washing can do to a city. I’ve seen all those things. So I’ll bring that to the table.”
