Incoming mayor Bill Rachford used a large Bible and an oversized gavel at his first council meeting as mayor Thursday, Jan. 6.
After the city attorney swore in the six members of council, Rachford put his hand on a Bible held by his wife Susan, and swore to uphold Kentucky’s constitution as the pastor of his church administered the oath of office.
In a jovial moment after the swearing in, Rachford picked up an oversized gavel and declared “It’s like Boehner’s,” in a reference to the gavel used by the new U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congressman John Boehner, R-West Chester.
Rachford said he plans to use his own gavel “sparingly,” and like President Teddy Roosevelt he will “speak softly and carry a big stick” in a reference to one of the 26th president’s famous quotes.
Later in the meeting, Rachford took on a more serious tone, setting out a list of objectives, many of which he had campaigned upon.
Rachford said one of his primary objectives was to keep taxes low, but because of the economy, city revenues have dropped slightly.
“We need to improve our efficiency, and account for every dollar that comes in,” he said.
The alternative is raising taxes, and that’s not an option he or residents want, Rachford said.
During his tenure, Rachford said he plans to improve communication and restart the city’s newsletter electronically using the city’s website.
He will also be starting informal coffee with the mayor sessions from 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of each month starting Feb. 5, where people can come and speak with him about anything on their mind.
Also, the Thursday, March 3 council meeting will be a town hall-style meeting format, he said. Rachford said he hopes to have three or four town hall-style meetings a year if people are interested in showing up.
“We want to find out what’s important to the citizens of Alexandria and how we can best serve people,” he said.
Rachford said he will ride along with city public works employees during a heavy snow so he can see what sorts of things they encounter when doing their job, so he can answer resident’s questions when they call about snow removal. He also wants to see what a police officer goes through in a typical shift by riding along with them.
Rachford said he also will be inviting local business owners to council meetings to introduce themselves to residents to promote buying locally.
“If you can do business in town with someone local, I’d love for you to do that,” he said.
Other objectives include providing consistent enforcement of the city’s code of ordinances and for the city to continue to stay within its five-year comprehensive plan for growth to keep the city’s slogan “Where the city meets the country” a reality.
Rachford said he will have a prayer meeting and invite all the ministers and pastors in the city to come and meet with the city’s elected officials and appointed city employees.
In closing, Rachford said beautification of the city will be a priority, and he asked people not to litter.
Rachford said if things happen like the state doesn’t cut the grass and lets it grow long, the city will cut it.
“Because this is where we live, this is our home, we want it to look nice,” he said.
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