Even the losers get lucky sometime.
-Tom Petty
As you cruise this town with its acres and acres of identical subdivisions, McFood joints, airport hanger-cum-Wal-Mart superstores, six and eight-lane asphalt stretches, forests of billboards advertising the same crap as anywhere else, and generic entertainment offerings, you gotta wonder, "What saves this town from being Anywhere USA?"
The only answer that stands the scrutiny: the people.
Yes, we the people. We the freaks, the oddballs, the wacked-out college students, the earnest activists, the bizarre politicians, the freaky drifters, the seemingly plain people with strange tales to tell.
That's what makes Lexington a town to remember.
In the words of a certain pot holder, "God Bless This Mess."
Most Beloved Local Personality
Gatewood Galbraith
Scott Peyton
Hal Mumme
What Lexington needs is a downtown. What we have now is several hotels, some retail stores (that close at 5pm or so), a sports arena, a library, a transit center and a few scattered bars. We need to add PEOPLE to that mix! Buildings shouldn't be sitting vacant for years at a time. Buildings shouldn't be torn down and become a vacant lot for two or three years. Solutions: downtown should be more pedestrian friendly. New stores and restaurants should be encouraged to open downtown. Landlords should be encouraged to maintain the buildings and keep them occupied (why they don't do this is beyond me).
-reader essay
Best Celebrity with Kentucky Roots
George Clooney
Ashley Judd
Johnny Depp
Hon Mention: Richard Hell (who got nearly as many votes as Tom Cruise, and has more authentic roots here)
Best Local Politician You Love to Hate
Ernie Fletcher
Pam Miller
Scott Crosbie
Best Urban-County Council Member
Isabel Yates
Gloria Martin
Best State Legislator
Ernesto Scorsone
Kathy Stein
Best Idea to Share with LFUCG
less development
leave KY theater alone
dog park
Best Local Developer
Frank Minnifield
Biggest Embarrassment in this years general assembly
10 Commandments debate
Bottle Bill
someone asking Kathy Stein if she believed in Jesus
Best UK Scandal of the Past Year
Wethington and the sweatshop protestors
Wethington contract
Allison's arrest
Best Construction You Can't Wait to See Finished
Limestone
New Circle & Winchester
I-75
Sexiest Bachelor
Scott Peyton
Sexiest Bachelorette
Jennifer Nime
Rhonda Reeves
Ninie O'Hare
What Lexington Needs
dog park
Bogart's sized concert venue
bike lanes and trails
What Lexington Doesn't Need
more development
malls
tie: subdivisions/SUVs