After winning the seat in a special election, Sharon NeSmith is hoping to retain the position of City Commissioner in the 2024 General Election.
NeSmith, 72, was appointed to the City Commission seat left vacant by the death of Larry Maglinger in June. She then ran to keep the seat in a special election in November, when she garnered 55% of the vote.
As she finishes out the current term, NeSmith said she wants to keep focusing on important issues and representing the community as a public official. She first wants to ensure the City has a united front on what the next 10 years will look like.
“There certainly should be a guide that’s so that all of us who serve the community are working towards the same goals,” NeSmith said.
NeSmith added that she will work to ensure everyone is part of the conversation, saying one of the critical things she seeks to do is listen to what people want. She said she tries to have no preconceived notions when approaching a topic of concern.
One of the more common talking points NeSmith said she hears about will seek to find a solution for is the ongoing discussion on a senior community center.
“Whatever we need to do as a community — and hopefully that would be a City-County collaboration — that could help the senior citizens or the board once they decide exactly what they need, we need to help them make it happen,” NeSmith said.
NeSmith also said she wants to address the staffing at Owensboro Fire and Police departments to ensure they are growing and staying on track with the demands ahead of them.
NeSmith currently serves as the general manager at the Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Owensboro/Waterfront in addition to her commission role.
NeSmith said she wants to focus on getting more small businesses downtown and making downtown a successful area.
“We still need small businesses downtown,” she said. “We need reasons for people to come down. We need places for them to come down and bring their families or in visitors to help our tourism. There are so many good things that have already happened, but I’m just looking at what the next 10 years for Owensboro will look like.”
