With the conclusion of Tuesday’s Henderson City Commission meeting, Commissioner Austin Vowels has for the most part completed his term and an 8-year span as a commissioner.
Both a growing family—he’s married to Sarah Crick Vowels and the couple have two young children—and a growing business—he’s the owner of Vowels Law LLC—were reasons to not seek the office again in November’s general election.
His colleagues let him know Tuesday just how much they’ll miss him while also how much they appreciated his leadership and vision.
Mayor Brad Staton called him “a steadying hand, a steadying voice.”
Commissioner Rodney Thomas echoed that, saying Vowels was the commissioner he attempted to emulate when he came onto the board.
“You were the steady hand,” Thomas said. “And I’m going to miss you. I enjoyed working with you.”
Nick Whitt commented about the number of facets that Vowels was able to bring to the table, including a sharp financial and legal mind.
And Commissioner Robert Pruitt said in the three terms they served together, “We have done amazing things.” He also joked, “Not only did a find a good friend, I found my personal attorney.”
City Manager Buzzy Newman said Vowels was on the commission at one of the most pivotal times in the community in the past 30-40 years.
“I know great things are ahead for you,” Newman said.
City Attorney Dawn Kelsey commended his time commitment and his level of preparation to do the job of commissioner.
Vowels marked the end of his term and commission career by posting a thank you note to the community, city staffers, family and supporters on his personal Facebook page.
He also used the message as a time to reflect on the commission’s accomplishments since 2017. His list includes 43 initiatives.
The first 10 of Vowels’ list, with edits, are shown below:
1. Attracting a $500 million investment in Henderson with Pratt Industries that should bring at least 321 jobs that pay well
2. Planning, securing land for, and building a Youth Sports Complex
3. Selling unused City land, which has resulted in more than a million dollars of residential development on Second Street
4. Funding the Inner City Improvement Plan and the Nu-Works Non-Profit Organization/Audubon Kids Zone to benefit and assist in improving Henderson’s East End and dedicate annual funding to the same
5. Securing the Kentucky National Guard Armory as the new home of the Henderson Boys and Girls Club
6. Studying and monitoring pollution issues that have surfaced while examining our need for action as well as our role in keeping the public informed
7. Lowering city property taxes which were some of the highest city property tax rates in Kentucky
8. Continuing examination of and adjustment of pay and benefits to better attract and retain qualified personnel, including police, fire, and utility workers, to work for our city while also keeping the tax payer in mind
9. Reviving the golf course now known as “The Bridges,” while simultaneously saving the City $200,000 annually
10. Strengthening the smoking ban in City Parks to better protect children.
