More restaurants and a trolley? A Q&A with Jeffersontown's history-making mayor
Since taking office at the start of the year, new Jeffersontown Mayor Carol Pike hasn't had much time to rest.
"It's been hectic," said Pike, who made history as the first woman to become mayor of the suburban city after serving for four decades on the Jeffersontown City Council.
The Courier Journal spoke with Pike, 70, about her background, priorities as mayor and family. The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
Where did you grow up? Did you know you wanted to eventually enter politics?
Pike: "I was born in Maysville, Kentucky. My dad was a radiator repairman, and my mom was a beautician, and we moved to Jeffersontown when I was 11 years old, when it was just a little one-horse town. I didn’t have any plans of being in politics whatsoever. I graduated from Jeffersontown High School in 1971. I married Pat Pike in 1971 and had one child before we divorced. I started going to real estate school and began to dabble in real estate.
"Daniel Ruckriegel (who was mayor of Jeffersontown) came to me in 1980 and said, 'I need a woman to run on a ticket,' and that’s how I got my career in politics going. I was elected to the Jeffersontown City Council in 1982. Back then, (candidates) ran as a group, and we ran as ... the United Party of Jeffersontown. And Daniel was our leader. Of course, the Ruckriegel name in Jeffersontown is a very respected name.
"My real estate business grew because of the fact I was involved in the city. The more you're involved, the more people get to know you. Last year, I probably sold $10 million worth of property. My real estate firm today is At Home Louisville. I've got 46 years of experience in the industry. I owe a lot ... to Daniel Ruckriegel."
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Why did you decide to run for mayor?
"I decided to run to be mayor of Jeffersontown because I wanted to carry on the traditions and accomplishments that Bill (Dieruf) had done. We’ve exploded out here, and I wanted to make sure I kept all the projects and everything else going. I believe in God, and I prayed about it. And one day, I woke up, and it was very clear that this is what I should do. I should do this. And if I don't win, it wasn't in God's plan. If I did win, it was in God's plan for me to carry on and take care of my citizens. I served on the city council from 1982 to 2022, so 40 years.
"Our city has one of the lowest tax rates in Kentucky, and the services that you get because of our industrial park (the Bluegrass Commerce Park) are second to none. If we had not had foresight on this industrial park, we would not have grown as much. We’re trying to have growth in our downtown. We’re building an amphitheater, and we’re building a new police department. We're going to have a lot of walking trails. ... We need more restaurants. We’re in dire need of restaurants. Right now, the businesses here on Friday night and Saturday night are packed with people. I plan on putting a little trolley hop in ... maybe once a month, like they did on Frankfort Avenue."
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What has it been like so far as mayor of Jeffersontown?
"It’s been very hectic. I thought that I knew everything about Jeffersontown in serving on the city council for 40 years. (But) this is a whole new position, and I’m telling you, what I have learned in the past 45 days has been ... I don't even have a word to describe it. Boy, as a mayor, it sure is different.
"I’m the first woman mayor ever in Jeffersontown's 225-year history. So far, I have not noticed that (any discrimination on the basis of her gender). The only thing I have noticed is everybody wants a piece of me. They want me to serve on this board, serve on that board, do this, be there. There’s only so much I can do. I’m just trying to get my feet on the ground and see what direction I need to go."
What are your goals and priorities? Any new policies?
"We’ve got several major projects going on. One is the streetscape, where they’re redoing sidewalks and new trees. Second one is, get the amphitheater completed. That’s supposed to be done in September of this year. Our new police department is now just breaking ground (and) supposed to be done towards the fall of 2024.
"I’m focused on crime. I’m really going to be very active with my police department. We’re going to have to have boots on the ground. I want (officers) to get out of their car and be interactive in the neighborhoods."
What's your family like, and what do you like to do in your free time?
"I have one grandkid, Ryan, and one daughter, Kim Wiseman, and a son-in-law. I haven't had much free time lately. What I used to like to do is go to my condo in Florida, but unfortunately, in September, it was wrecked by Hurricane Ian. I’m a licensed realtor in Florida, so I sell houses down there as well.
I’m excited about moving on with the city, and I want everyone to know that I am approachable. I’m not a politician. I’ll never be a politician. I’m no different than anybody else on the street."
Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jeffersontown Mayor Carol Pike, first woman to lead city, eyes growth
