Ten new members were appointed to the Town of Lexington’s Vision Plan Advisory Committee, which aims to incorporate citizen input in the town’s vision plan. 

Sixteen individuals had applied. 

To be considered, applicants must reside in the Town of Lexington or own a business within town limits. One member must represent the faith-based community, and one must represent a school or school district.

Members serve without compensation.

At a recent town council meeting, all seven town council members elected one candidate each during roll call. From the remaining pool, council members then voted by ballot to fill the final three seats. The candidates who received the most votes were appointed. 

Prior to voting, Councilman Gavin Smith said he did not agree with some of the nominations.

Those approved were Eddie Davis, Randy Halfacre, Dana Homsley, Kathy Maness, Charlie Speight, Marcy Strother, Tonie Coleman, Courtney Molony, Misty Stathos and Chuck Corley. 

The vote was not unanimous. Smith was the sole vote against the appointments, saying he opposed former council members serving on the committee. 

“It irks me,” Smith said. “We always talk about citizens getting involved in this town and wanting more people to get involved. Yet, tonight we voted in the face of that…We sit here during election years and talk about getting people involved, and then we get up here and do exactly the opposite of that. I am disappointed by that.” 

Smith said he wants average citizens to get involved.

“Why don’t we put the average citizens who haven’t had a moment to make an impact on their community through elected office and allow them to serve on this committee?” he asked.

Two of the approved members previously served on the town council: Maness and Halfacre. Maness served from 2004 to 2023. Halfacre was elected to the town council in 1994. From 2004 to 2013, he served as mayor.

Smith said he has nothing against Maness and Halfacre personally, but believes appointing former council members limits opportunities for new voices to emerge.

Councilman Todd Lyle said that citizen participation will continue and is vital, even for those not serving on the committee.

“If you’re not on the committee, it does not mean you can’t be very engaged and participate and provide lots of ideas,” he said. 

Councilwoman Jeannie Michaels said any town resident, or those outside of the town, can contact council with ideas and comments related to the vision plan.

Mayor Pro Tem Todd Carnes said that 80% of the committee’s members are new appointees, calling it a positive outcome. 

Mayor Hazel Livingston added that surveys and questionnaires will also be used to gather community feedback for the vision plan.