10-20-10 —     As a youngster, Jeffrey Edwards probably never thought about being  

mayor. Like most young boys, his political aspirations were a little  

higher—like becoming president. But as he grew up in the city he  

loves and became a local business owner, Edwards began to think about  

what changes he would like to see, as well as the future of Monticello.

    That was what prompted him to first run for Monticello City Council  

back in 2002, when he was only 23 years old. It was an unsuccessful  

run, but it didn't keep Edwards from throwing his hat back into the  

ring two years later. And he won his first term on the council.

    "It was something I had always been interested in," said Edwards, as  

he talked about his first venture into politics. "When I first ran  for council, I didn't have any idea about running for mayor. I just  wanted to change some thinking around here a little bit, to be a  little bit more modern."

    The son of Ralph and Audrey Edwards, he was born in Covington, Ky.  The family lived in Gallatin County, where his parents taught, until  Edwards was getting ready to start second grade.

    His father became the new principal at Monticello School and the  

family moved back home. Edwards attended Monticello School from third  grade until he graduated in 1998.

    Many teenagers think about the days when they are grown up and can  

move away and live somewhere else. But Edwards recalls thinking how  he would like to stay here, maybe change the way things are to the  vision he saw for the future of Monticello.

    "I love this town," he said. "I have had opportunities to leave, but  I chose to stay here and I like it. It has a lot of potential."

    And when he started a real estate business in 2003 he opted to  

locate in the downtown area. The business was located in the corner  

office of the Wayne County Museum.

    After selling Edwards Real Estate, the realty business now has a new  

name and  new location. It is now Earl Group Realtors and is located  

on the square in downtown Monticello.

    Edwards grew up with family members who were interested in politics,  

particularly city politics. That first sparked his interest. But  

after becoming elected to council, Edwards began to think about what  

city leaders could do to impact the quality of life in Monticello.

    "Instead of just thinking about the current year, you think about  

how things are going to affect you in four years and even in 10  

years," said Edwards.

    That seems to be on the minds of many residents who Edwards has  

talked to during this campaign.

    "The overall thing is that it is time for someone younger, with  

fresh ideas, to step up and take the reins," said Edwards. "That is  

pretty much the overwhelming thing I am hearing. You also hear a lot  

of people talk about the electric rates, their water rates, jobs, the  

streets being torn up...all the normal things."

    Technology is one of the keys in Edwards' campaign. He has plans to  

move the city forward with a website, e-mail capabilities, and other  

technologies.

    "In order for Monticello to effectively compete when it comes to the  

recruitment of new business and industry for our area, we must have a  

mayor that understands the technology of today's world," said  

Edwards. "As your mayor, I will utilize technologies such as e-mail,  

a new city website and social networks. Not only will this allow  

Monticello to join the 21st Century, it will help to promote our  

town, tourism and to keep our own citizens better informed of the day-

to-day activities of the city."

    After all, Edwards pointed out that if you want to know something  

about a particular town or location the first thing you do these days  

is check the internet.

    Edwards has been part of a city council that has been part of tough  

economic times. Tax dollars have dwindled, creating challenges for  

local governments everywhere.

    "The city has faced some really tight budgets," said Edwards. "When  

Thurston Frye (former mayor) left office and Kenneth took over we had  

over $300,000 in surplus funds. Now there are no surplus funds. We  

have had to use the principal for the Electric Plant Board sale to  

balance the budget."

    There is spending that needs to be cut from city government, Edwards  

points out. Like when a family budget decreases, the expenditures  

need to change. And Edwards noted that a lot of times the council has  

to approve money that has basically already been spent.

    Another problem, Edwards pointed out, is hiring employees and paying  

them more than was originally budgeted for that position. "A person  

may get hired and they are promised more and we aren't informed until  

afterwards," he said.

    "I think we need to cut any wasteful spending that there is. The  

mayor drives a city vehicle. One of the first things I would have  

done was cut that out and the first thing I will do is cut that out,"  

he said. "If we have no use for it that is better than that I would  

say sell it...If you have to go to Frankfort or somewhere for a  

meeting, mileage would be one thing, but not driving a city vehicle."

    Another area that needs to be looked at carefully are vehicles  

driven by different city departments, like police cars or street  

department vehicles, which utilize fuel charge accounts. Edwards said  

there is no need to drive those type vehicles home at night unless  

you are an employee who is on call.

    While the city has garnered grants for mostly sewer and water  

projects, Edwards said he would like to see Monticello work hard to  

go after other types of grants. For example, the county received  a  

small grant recently for a putt-putt course at the park. Smaller  

projects like that are within reach for the City of Monticello.

    Something like a skateboard park is one of his ideas. It could  

easily be located in the park and it is something that would not take  

a lot of work to construct. And it would add another available  

activity to the list for young people in this community.

    "We have got to do more things for our young people, and I believe  

with the city and the county working together with the schools and  

other organizations that we can probably offer more activities," said  

Edwards.

    And not just sports-related activities. Educational opportunities,  

like classes, are also something he would like to see made more  

available.

    "I would like to see us go after a satellite campus of some sort for  

a college. Communities all around us have satellite campuses and even  

though SCC isn't that far away, some people are unable to travel that  

far to take classes," said Edwards. "Surely there is some way we can  

provide a couple of rooms, even if it is for online learning, so that  

people can further their education."

    That would also help the local job force, noted Edwards.

    "I would like to see us get a new, more modern senior citizens  

center for our senior citizens," said Edwards. "They could have more  

room and more things to do."

    "I think our community needs an assisted living center as well and I  

think a mayor could help go about getting that in here," he added.

    One of the problems city government has faced in recent years is how  

to maintain streets with limited funds. Last year, the council cashed  

a CD to do some blacktopping. Edwards said there are some streets  

that are more needy than others, since priority has been given to  

more heavily traveled thoroughfares.

    "Some have gotten in bad shape...We need to make a priority list,"  

said Edwards. He added that while local dollars are limited, there is  

a possibility to city could get some help next year from state  

government for blacktop projects.

    Jobs are on everyone's mind and the troubled houseboat industry has  

contributed to some sobering local unemployment numbers. Edwards  

believes it will take a while for the houseboat industry to see the  

type of recovery it needs, but in the meantime, the city can be  

looking for ways to help some of those skilled employees.

    He would like to have regular meetings with factory leaders and  

local business owners to make sure  the city is doing what it can to  

help them.

    "The days of getting a Beldens or an American Woodmark or Cobb are  

few and far between," he said.

    Technology like the fiber to the home project could be a key to the  

future of industry in Wayne County.

    "That could be huge for us," said Edwards. "It could bring some more  

smaller technical places her that might hire three or four or five  

people and they might be even better paying jobs than we are used to."

    Another point he makes about the fiber project—this could be a  

service that Monticello sells to neighboring communities. With  

completion of fiber to the home, Monticello could get into the  

business of selling connectivity to Clinton County or McCreary  

County, if the market is there.

    As he talks about plans for the future, it is easy to see that  

Edwards is excited about the possibilities. He points out that he has  

been blessed in his 31 years with good family and opportunities. He  

has been able to travel a little and see the country.

    Now, he wants to give back to this community.

    "I want to help the people here, and I would like to improve the  

quality of life for everyone," said Edwards. "It is time for a new  

generation of leadership....I have nothing personal against Kenneth.  

I think he has done a great job over the years. I just think it is  

time we have a new approach, a fresh approach, a modern approach."