LEXINGTON, Ky.– On Tuesday, Mayor-Elect Linda Gorton named the members of her Transition Team, who will work with members of Mayor Jim Gray’s administration to ensure a smooth transition.
“We want this transition to be seamless, and to put citizens first,” Gorton said. “There should be no interruption in the services the city provides citizens, and progress should continue uninterrupted on long-range projects.”
This first phase of the transition will focus on internal issues, Gorton said. A future phase will focus on priorities for external issues.
Gorton said Wil James, former president of the Georgetown Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant, and Chris Frost, a University of Kentucky College of Law professor, will co-chair the Transition Team. Frost led the transition between the Newberry and Gray administrations.
Other Transition Team leaders include Lexington attorney Phil Scott, who will work with the Law Department; educator Eunice Beatty and UK College of Law Professor Carolyn Bratt, who will work with the Planning, Preservation and Development Department; urban planner Ed Holmes, who will work with the Environmental Quality and Public Works Department; former U.S. Attorney Kerry Harvey, who will work with the Public Safety Department; workforce development expert Roy Woods, who will work with the Social Services Department; Blue Grass Community Foundation President Lisa Adkins, who will work with the General Services Department; and UK Martin School Professor and former state budget director Merl Hackbart, who will work with the Finance Department.
In the next few weeks, the City’s Commissioners and Division Directors will brief members of the Transition Team on issues and projects in their areas. Chief Administrative Officer Sally Hamilton is setting up the meetings.
Gorton officially takes over as mayor Jan. 6. An inauguration ceremony is planned for that day at 2 p.m. in the ballroom of Gatton Student Center, 160 Avenue of Champions. The event is free and open to the public.
