Jim Gray: Anti-Growth, Anti-Progress

Snippets from the Lexington Herald Leader ...
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15686241.htm

Posted on Thu, Oct. 05, 2006
Council candidate calls for 4-year ban on expanding urban services boundary
By Jim Warren
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER

Lexington should consider placing a four-year moratorium on expansion of its urban services boundary and new development, at-large council candidate Jim Gray said Thursday morning.

Most of the six candidates vying for three at-large citywide council seats in next month's general election have previously opposed expansion of the boundary, but Gray apparently is the first to suggest an outright ban on a change.

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Gray, who is in the construction business, insisted he was not taking an anti-growth position.

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Of Gray's opponents, only George Brown consistently has spoken in favor of expanding the boundary. He did so again at Thursday morning's session, contending that Lexington must "grow the pie," to boost economic development and raise tax revenue for future government needs.

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They said the next council must cooperate more and argue less; they were united in opposing Mayor Teresa Isaac's recent proposal to acquire Lexington Mall by eminent domain and turn it into a softball complex.

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By limiting the urban services boundary, Gray's proposal could drive up the price of real estate within the boundary, which in turn could benefit Gray's construction business.

Gray is probably feeling pretty confident about getting elected to council - he has a lot of money, and doesn't mind spending it.