My name is Laura Dake. I am running for re-election to Versailles City Council because I care about the future of Versailles, where I have lived for 28 years. I am proud to have raised my family here and to have made this beautiful town my home. Since my first term began in 2017, I have worked hard by studying the issues, asking questions, voting my conscience, listening carefully to constituents and working closely with community members.
I am proud of my accomplishments in my four years on council. I have supported city workers and city improvements via the budget process and have sought to ensure fair treatment for all residents. I was proud to vote to approve CARES funds to support our small businesses and families adversely affected by closures, slowdowns, or job loss related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a City Council Member, I:
- Voted to approve $433,000 in city CARES money to reimburse small businesses affected by COVID-19 and $60,000 to help affected residents with delinquent rent, mortgage and utility bills
- Voted to keep Versailles’ property tax rate low, one of the lowest in Central Kentucky
- Voted on a fairness ordinance disallowing discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations for LGBTQ individuals, an ordinance that is now county-wide
- Approved funding to remove residents’ fallen trees and branches at no charge following the windstorm in July 2018
- Approved creating an “entertainment district” downtown to encourage people to visit
- Am proud of our balanced budget, new police station and wastewater treatment plant
As Chair of the Streets & Stormwater Committee, I worked or am working on:
- Four-way stop at Morgan, Church and Bowmar Streets
- Placing attractive cigarette receptacles downtown and in Big Spring Park to reduce litter
- Grass clippings off city roads (for safety and environmental reasons) and dumpster ordinances
- Efforts to encourage drivers to slow down on city streets
As a Communications, Tourism and Downtown Committee member, I worked or am working on:
- Bringing attractive wayfinding signage and pedestrian kiosks to Versailles to encourage visits to local attractions and to find downtown parking and businesses
- Approving an updated logo for the City of Versailles
- Ensuring the public is informed about city meetings
As a Volunteer working to improve the look and feel of our city park, Big Spring, I worked or am working on:
- Litter clean-ups and invasives removal
- Saturday morning “Yoga at the Park” finishing up its third, and most successful, summer
- Monarch waystation in its third year
- “Overlook deck” off the library parking lot to be completed this year (unforeseen issues delayed this project)
In addition, I recently achieved Level II – Excellence in City Governance from the City Officials Training Center at the Kentucky League of Cities.
MEET LAURA DAKE
- 28 year resident of Versailles.
- City council member since 2017. Chair of the Streets, Stormwater & Cemetery Committee. Member of the Wayfinding Signage Subcommittee.
- Community Outreach Manager, Bluegrass Care Navigators.
- Board member: A Caring Place; Council of Neighborhood Associations — Woodford County; Keep the Bluegrass Beautiful; Opportunity for Work & Learning; and Woodford Parks Foundation.
- Community Educator, Alzheimer’s Association
- Graduate of the University of Michigan and George Mason University.
- Married to Bill Dake, a family physician with HealthFirst Bluegrass.
- Mother of three Woodford County Public Schools’ graduates, Julia, Janet and Jimmy.
- Active member of Versailles Presbyterian Church for over 25 years.
PASSIONATE
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Laura Dake is Passionate About:
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- Explore ways to help people who may be impacted by the lingering effects of the pandemic.
- Develop age-friendly initiatives for older residents and people with different abilities throughout the lifespan.
- Encourage an even more vibrant, vital downtown.
- Provide entertainment opportunities for children, teens and young adults.
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- Focus on creating good, well-paying jobs.
- Work to keep Versailles’ property taxes low.
- Consider the needs of the community when reviewing the budget.
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- Develop housing options for all income levels.
- Focus on infill and rehabbing blighted properties.
- Protect Versailles’ number one asset: its rural character and small town charm.
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- Improve walkability of downtown Versailles.
- Encourage full utilization of downtown buildings.
- Improve and enhance Big Spring Park to become a destination for all ages to enjoy.
- Support walking/biking/hiking trails and new sidewalks to enhance connectivity and promote a healthier lifestyle.
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- Encourage periodic listening forums or town halls with the public.
- Continue to post meeting agendas on social media.
- Promote volunteerism and civic involvement.
COMMITTED
“The future of Versailles is important to me.”
As your Council member, I have listened to you, considered the needs of the community carefully and worked diligently and thoughtfully to address those needs. I would be honored to represent you again on Versailles City Council. Please vote for me, #4 on the ballot.
If you would like to ask a question, share your concerns or show your support by putting up a yard sign, I would love to hear from you. Please call or text me at 859-351-0460 or email me at lauradake4cc@gmail.com. I am also on Facebook at Laura Dake Versailles City Council.
DONATE
Checks can be made out to “The Campaign Fund of Laura Dake.” 315 S Main St, Versailles, KY 40383. In addition to checks, I also have a PayPal account.