Newly Elected Mayor And City Councilmembers Have Inaugural Ceremony

The Mayoral and Councilmember Inaugural Ceremony took place on Sunday, January 6 at the UK Gatton Student Center. Honorable Ernesto Scorsone, Fayette Circuit Judge, swore in the newly elected Mayor, Linda Gorton.

Many present and past members of the Lexington and Kentucky Government were in attendance. Attorney General Andy Beshear, U.S. Rep Andy Barr, and three former Lexington Mayor’s.

After giving her Oath of Office, Mayor Gorton was introduced by a longtime friend and former colleague, Ann Garrity. The theme for Gorton’s speech is “dream big Lexington.” She does understand it will be difficult when it comes to the budget and dreaming big. “It won’t all be easy,” she said. “For the next few years we’re projecting city budgets will be really tight.” However, even with a tight budget Gorton and the councilmembers are determined to make Lexington an even better and safer city.

Vice Mayor Steve Kay was introduced by former Vice Mayor Isabel Yates. Along with the councilmembers, Vice Mayor Kay was sworn in by the Honorable Ernesto Scorsone, Fayette Circuit Judge.

10th District Councilmember is Amanda Mays Bledsoe.

As a councilmember, Amanda is focused on four initiatives: increasing accessibility and communication in the district, creating a more citizen-friendly government, increasing efficiencies in services, and improving strong fiscal health and providing innovative ways for the community to grow and prosper.

Amanda has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Classical Studies from Hillsdale College in Michigan where she was the Outstanding Senior Woman of her class. She earned her Master’s degree from the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School of Diplomacy in International Affairs and National Security Policy earning the Barbara Schell Scholar Award.

Amanda serves on a variety of additional boards including the Salvation Army of the Bluegrass and Her Knight Dance.

11th District Councilmember is Jennifer Reynolds.

Jennifer Reynolds is the outreach director with Bluegrass Youth Ballet and in 2013 started a bilingual outreach program in the 11th District’s Valley Park. Jennifer is also fluent in Spanish and a qualified medical interpreter.