Letter: Augustine promises to listen, respect opinions, represent voters

To the citizens of Bardstown,

It has been 130 days since I filed to run for city council. During that time, I have participated in public forums and debates. I’ve walked neighborhoods and visited neighborhood meetings. I’ve tried to reach you in some fashion or another rather it be in person, TV, radio, this website, or any social networking outlet at my disposal. Still, I’ve not reached everyone, and if I missed you, I apologize.

Tuesday is election day. The ballot is full — for many of us, double-sided — and you have decisions to make regarding the path you will choose for our country, state, county, and city.

Like you, I’ve never had a great deal of faith in campaign promises made by politicians. It’s for that reason that my promises have been few and far between.

I’ve never been a member of a city council (or any other elected office for that matter). On the horizon are some complex issues that are going to affect us. And while I’ve been educating myself about some of these, I will need input and guidance from you and others so that I can make informed decisions while serving you on the council. I promise to listen to you, thoroughly research issues to the best of my capacity, accept guidance from specialized experts, and make deliberative decisions.

I openly admit to have a conservative slant with a predisposition towards commerce and liberty. As such, I’m probably going to lean in the direction of resisting tax increases, cutting red tape so local businesses can better advertise, grow, and thrive. If I’m likely to make errors, I’m likely to err on the side of citizens’ personal and civil liberties and property rights. But with these rights come responsibilities, and we’ll need to take a collaborative approach in preserving the historical appeal and tourist industry of our downtown area. Like most of you, I have ideological biases, but I promise to seek the solutions best for the advancement of Bardstown rather than the solutions best for the advancement of any particular political party or ideology.

I will inevitably make mistakes. When I make mistakes, I promise to own those mistakes, learn from them, and if at all possible, correct them. And, while you and I won’t always agree on every specific issue, I promise to always give you and your point of view the respect and consideration deserved.

Finally, I close this letter with the simple promise that if elected I will do the best job I can in serving our city while remaining as inconsequential in your daily life as possible.

Thank you for your consideration, and please remember to exercise your right to vote this Tuesday.

Robert “Bobby” Augustine
Bardstown