Mayfield voters focus on recovery, growth in Mayoral race

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

MAYFIELD, Ky. (KBSI) — More than three years after the deadly December 2021 tornado devastated Mayfield, recovery efforts and the city’s future remained at the center of conversations Tuesday as voters headed to the polls in the mayoral race.

Many residents said the election was less about politics and more about who they believe is best suited to guide Mayfield through its next chapter of rebuilding and long-term growth.

Incumbent Mayor Kathy O’Nan said the city has made significant progress since the tornado destroyed large portions of Mayfield, pointing to several major projects already completed or currently underway.

Those include a new fire station, a public works facility and a new city hall and police station now under construction.

“So what comes next for us after those buildings have been completed is economic development in that area,” O’Nan said. “The continued rebuilding and the restoration of our downtown area.”

O’Nan acknowledged that some residents feel recovery has moved slowly but said the city continues making progress despite the scale of the destruction and challenges tied to funding.

“I totally understand when when people in the community say, you know, things aren’t moving fast enough,” O’Nan said. “The truth is, we weren’t we weren’t awarded the funding necessary to complete all of the municipal buildings we lost. We see that through other places that have hit with devastation like us. And so I think for not yet five years, we are on track. And those officials tell us we’re a little bit ahead of where they were at this mark in their recovery.”

O’Nan also said relationships and connections built during the recovery process have helped Mayfield secure major funding opportunities.

“I have learned so much in the four and a half years since the tornado,” O’Nan said. “It would be difficult, I think, for someone to come in. They don’t have to learn how to deal with the tragedy of the tornado. But all of the connections, all of the people I have been able to work with. Those connections have been very beneficial in bringing over $100 million worth of grants to rebuild our community.”

Challenger Tim Choate said many voters are looking for a different direction and described himself as the “change candidate” in the race.

“Both of my opponents, the current mayor and he’s on the city council,” Choate said. “So they’re both, you know, current administration. So I am the change candidate.”

Choate said attracting new business and redevelopment in downtown Mayfield has been one of the biggest focuses of his campaign.

“So if folks want change, then I’m it,” Choate said. “We just haven’t been very successful in bringing in businesses. So that’s been the pillar of my of my campaign is to develop the seventh and eighth Street quarter.”

Choate also pointed to his decades of engineering experience as a reason he believes he is prepared to help lead Mayfield’s continued rebuilding efforts.

“I’m a civil engineer. I’ve been a civil engineer for 40 years,” Choate said. “I have designed and built all kinds of projects, done transportation projects. I’ve done general civil work, water and sewer. I’m very familiar with infrastructure and how you get things done. And my two opponents, they haven’t ever built anything. So I think I’m the perfect. I’m the perfect candidate and the perfect person to rebuild a town.”

FOX23 also reached out to City Councilman Derrick Parrott for comment but did not hear back.

Some voters FOX23 spoke with said they support new leadership and fresh ideas as the city continues rebuilding.

“Youth and new ideas to help bring this city, you know, into today’s society and, you know, times and, you know, ever changing instead of, you know, regressing, looking for new ideas,” one voter said. “We need new faces and new voices. You know, it’s time for a change in this town.”

While candidates differed on how Mayfield should move forward, many voters agreed the city’s continued recovery and long-term growth remain the top issues in this year’s election.

Official results show Derrick Parrot as the winner with 40% of votes, Choate received 35% and Incumbent O’Nan received 24%.