Former city attorney, CM in commission field

Aaron Snyder, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
·2 min read

Jan. 31—EDITOR'S NOTE — This is one of several stories spotlighting candidates for Ashland City Commission. More expansive stories are planned leading up to the primary election.

Although he's one of 13 candidates, Richard "Sonny" Martin doesn't view his pursuit of an Ashland city commission seat as a race against the others.

"I'm not running against anybody," Martin said. "I'm running for service to the community, service for the citizens."

Martin, 79, said the only commitment he initially intends to make is to a two-year term — if he is elected.

"I'm looking forward to it, if the voters see fit," Martin said. "With the issues going on, I felt like my knowledge, experience and commitment is something I can offer to the voters. They'll tell me whether I'm right or wrong."

The May primary election will slice the field from 13 to eight. Included in those 13 are incumbents Amanda Clark, Marty Gute and Cheryl Spriggs. Commissioner Josh Blanton is running for Mayor.

As for Martin, he's no stranger to the commission bench. He was City Attorney for 38 years. He also served about a year — in the mid-2010s — as City Manager on an interim basis.

Martin is a fourth-generation Ashlander. His wife, Francie, teaches at Ashland Community and Technical College.

"She's my primary advisor," he said, adding she gave him the go-ahead to run.

Martin said he's long been impressed with Ashland city employees.

"Highly competent, highly dedicated," he said of various departments. "We have the best finance department — as far as I'm concerned — in the state. (As City Manager), I had daily workings with all those folks."

Martin said one of the main concerns he has currently is the financial status of the city.

"We've got a bunch of projects," he said, specifically noting a $76 million wastewater treatment plant slated for the next three years under a Kentucky Infrastructure Authority loan.

"The basic thing you have to be concerned about is getting utilities to citizens at the lowest cost possible," Martin said.

He also mentioned regional issues such as homelessness and cost-effective housing as those to which he would devote more attention if elected.

Martin is the current city attorney for Catlettsburg.

"We must have a regional approach," Martin said of Catlettsburg, Ashland and Boyd County in general. "If we don't look at it that way, we're missing the boat."

(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com