Cody Slone
Age 30
Inez
Education/work experience:
I received my Bachelor of Education degree from Morehead State University and my Master of Special Education degree from the University of the Cumberlands.
To what extent have you been a part of the local government in Martin County?
I was employed as a summer laborer for the Martin County Fiscal Court cutting brush along creek banks and roadside vegetation as well as park maintenance and ditch pulling for three summers. I have an understanding of the procedures and protocols followed by the fiscal court and road and bridge department. I have also been present at many of the fiscal court meetings over the last 18 years and understand the current problems and challenges our county faces.
What do you believe to be the top three issues affecting Martin County?
The first and main issue we face is infrastructure! WATER and SANITATION infrastructure should be our top priority, followed by maintaining county roads. Our second priority should be diversifying our economy and not being dependent on one industry or business for jobs and revenue in our county. Our third issue is environment. We must push toward cleaning our county up and making it a more attractive place for people and businesses to want to come.
If elected, what changes/goals would you advocate and why?
I will start working for District 1 on May 18 if I am honored to serve Martin County in this capacity. My goals are as follows:
1) Seek any and all money available to improve our water and sanitation infrastructure.
2) Improve broadband in our county to modernize and move us into the 21st century.
3) Increase the sheriff’s office budget by $150,000 by reappropriating funds that are already within the county budget. This can and will be done in the January budget approval meeting.
In no more than 400 words, tell us why voters should choose you for this office?
Voters Should elect me to the position of magistrate in district one because I have a vision to move Martin County forward in my three-point plan, which is as follows.
Infrastructure
Road and Bridge Reform
Employee salary schedule.
Comprehensive overhaul of day-to-day operations procedures and protocols. (Worklist, roadside mowing, ditch pulling and more crews)
Getting better equipment and trucks.
Water and Sanitation
Seeking and earmarking federal and state grant monies to improve water and sanitation system.
Working toward building new treatment plant in the Warfield or 292 area.
Cleaning up around our treatment plants and raw water intake to make them more presentable.
Essential Services
Increasing sheriff’s office budget by $150,000 with money already in county budget.
Garbage Code overhaul, deputizing code enforcement officer so he can enforce the rules and regulations of contracts for both consumers and contractors.
Working with EMS, Fire Departments, Library Board, Economic Development Board and senior citizen center to ensure they have all means possible and necessary to help Martin Countians.
Economy
Diversifying economy through trail systems.
ATV, Horse and Water trails. As well as campgrounds and other adventure tourism avenues.
I have an action plan for Martin County Trail system and a map of trails throughout Martin County ready to be implemented.
Helping Boxvanna succeed.
Try to find an alternative location for them to buy in Martin County with the $1 million they proposed to buy our building at the industrial park. (Banks Miller Supply)
Seeking new employment opportunities to come into Martin County.
Environment
Destroying Inez garbage dump and replacing it with a sensory park, skate park or parking lot.
Seeking grant to remove Low Water Bridge near Calf Creek to be able to turn tug river into a blue trail. Also use steel from bridge to mitigate cost of repairing Tunnel Bridge on Wolf Creek.
Hosting annual PRIDE cleanups and seeking grant opportunities to clean up illegal dumpsites.
My three-point plan to move Martin County forward must start with infrastructure because without that, we cannot move or progress our county. Everyone needs and wants improved water and roads. I hope to earn your vote come May. Thank you and have a great day.