A third candidate in the local area has announced his plan to run for mayor in the November 2020 election. Dracin Williams announced to Owensboro Times on Friday that he has big plans for his hometown if he’s elected to office.
After spending the past four years in Chicago as a teacher, Williams moved back to Owensboro to help his city grow, strengthen and start working together.
Though Williams, 28, said most small cities of Owensboro’s size constantly feel as though “nothing ever changes here,” Williams wants to turn that mindset around for the citizens of Owensboro.
“I feel that it’s my responsibility to bring policy changes,” he said. “I thought I would take a chance, take a leap.”
Williams currently works at Dismas House Charities where he said he’s got a personal and professional connection to many of the inflictions suffered by the people of Owensboro, including drug addiction and homelessness. Right after Williams earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University, he worked at Dismas, and he was compelled to work there again after leaving Chicago.
“I realized we have to take care of one another as a community,” he said. “We all know someone with an addiction. The drug issues in Owensboro affect the entire community at large.”
And though other mayoral candidates such as Pamela Smith-Wright and Larry Conder have governmental experience, Williams said he’s done enough research and has had enough conversations around town to understand that many Owensboro residents are ready to see a new face in local government.
“[My lack of experience] doesn’t bother me at all,” he said. “I realize people are ready for something different, something new. Millenials are getting more interested in politics. Whether it’s environmental issues they’re standing behind or their investments in entrepreneurship and bringing new ideas to local communities.”
Williams earned his master’s degree in organizational leadership and change from Colorado Technical College in 2018, which centers primarily on diversity and inclusion in the workspace, he said.
As far as Williams’ “big picture” priorities for the city, he said he’s done his research and has studied local surveys from the hospital, the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) and the Green River District Health Department to iron out his top three, which include health, youth and education.
An idea of Williams’ that he believes could go far is a city-wide “Owensboro Promise” program that works to provide college tuition for high school graduates.
“Only 20 percent of our high school graduates in Owensboro have a college degree, and college degrees and education are pivotal in moving communities forward,” he said. “I understand student debt is an issue for many people here, so that’s why I think Owensboro Promise would be a great program that helps our community succeed.”
Moreover, investment in agriculture should be focused on, Williams said, including the implementation of a Food Council that could strategically invest in local agriculture.
Owensboro’s focus needs to be on the businesses and start-up companies that reside here locally, Williams added.
“For the past decade we’ve been putting up buildings in the community instead of community building,” he said. “Even if I don’t win, I believe there’s no loss. Even taking the leap to get involved can start the conversation.”
