PADUCAH, Ky. (March 23, 2017) – In a lengthy discussion on improving Kentucky’s
civic health with local government and education leaders and citizens, Secretary of
State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Thursday in Paducah challenged West Kentuckians to
be more engaged in their communities.
The standing-room-only crowd gathered at the Paducah School of Art and Design, a
division of West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
“Every time I travel to West Kentucky, I learn more about the perceived disconnect
between this part of the Commonwealth and the rest,” Grimes said. “We have to bridge
that divide, and that begins with engagement, reaching out and talking with fellow
citizens and Kentuckians, and becoming involved in your government.”
Grimes is on a statewide tour discussing the findings of latest Kentucky Civic
Health Index<http://www.sos.ky.gov/civics/Pages/Civic-Health-Initiative.aspx> she
released in January. The Index measures the state of engagement and civic literacy
in the Commonwealth through the study of several indicators. Grimes’ tour includes
talks with citizens in each Congressional district about how to more people
Kentuckians engaged and informed.
The findings showed the Commonwealth improved in national rankings in social
connectedness, community engagement and voter registration since Grimes released the
first report in 2012. But, it also showed that fewer than half of Kentuckians have
confidence in media, a decline of more than 10 percent in three years, and fewer
Kentuckians are trusting of their neighbors. Overall, Kentucky ranks 48th in the
nation, ahead of only New Mexico (49th), Montana (50th) and Utah (51st), for public
confidence in media.
Helping lead Grimes’ discussion was a panel including Paducah Mayor Brandi Harless
and Dr. Anton Reece, the president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
Steve Wilson, editor of the Paducah Sun, Rev. Babydoll Kennedy, and Jimmy LaSalvia,
a local author and activist also joined the panel.
Wilson said the distrust in media was partly due to how politically divided the
country has become. LaSalvia echoed that opinion, saying “programming designed to
perpetuate political fights” cause citizens to become disenchanted.
Part of the conversation centered on political participation and voter turnout. The
panelists agreed that solutions to big problems can be found on the local level.
“Local engagement in politics and voting, and it’s based on the tone set by local
leaders,” said Kennedy, noting that mayors have an impact on encouraging their
citizens to be involved.
“On the local level is where we’re going to solve the problems we face,” said Harless.
Grimes encouraged attendees to contact lawmakers and leaders about issues they care
about. “Constituent concerns and complaints move public servants to action,” she
said.
Partners on the Kentucky Civic Health Index are the Secretary of State’s office, the
Institute for Citizenship and Social Responsibility at Western Kentucky University,
the National Conference on Citizenship, and the McConnell Center at the University
of Louisville.
The full Civic Health Index and related information is available at
sos.ky.gov<http://sos.ky.gov/>.
