Bill Stephens Starks – County Magistrate District 5 Candidate

Candidate Questionnaire

What is your name: Bill Stephens Starks

What office are you seeking?  Henderson County Magistrate District 5

What is your age: 66 years young!

Please provide your family background (i.e. spouse, children, grandchildren, pets).

I am married to my wife of 42 years, Kim who recently retired as Vice President of Operations at Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union. We have two grown sons, Jordan and Matthew. We also have two rescue cats, Smokie and Waffles. I grew up in Owensboro and moved to Henderson in 1984 when I was hired at WSON Radio.

I am a member of Holy Name Catholic Church.

Our family has lived in the 5th District nearly the entire time we’ve lived in Henderson.

What is your educational background? 

I am a graduate of Owensboro Senior High and have an associate’s degree in Telecommunications from Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Over the past 3 ½ years in office I have attended numerous training opportunities offered through the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association, Kentucky Association of Counties and the Department of Local Government.

Have you been elected to a political office previously?

I am currently serving my first term as 5th District Magistrate and was first elected in 2021.

What is your professional background? 

I worked as News/Public Affairs Director for Henderson Radio station WSON for 38 years before retiring in late 2021. I serve on a number of local and regional boards including the Henderson Board of Health, Green River District Health Department Board, City-County Cooperative Study Committee, City-County Grant Review Committee, Salvation Army board, Henderson Area Arts Alliance, Henderson County High School Youth Service Center Advisory Council, Henderson County Disaster Recovery Partnership, and Henderson Garden Club.

I’m the Executive Producer of the Nationally Syndicated “Wedding Planning With Pem” show and Co-Host/Producer of the “Around Town” podcast with Pem Pfisterer Clark.

Why are you running for office? 

During my years as a broadcast journalist, I covered many local, state and national elected officials and those interactions instilled in me a sense of responsibility to serve others. Serving as 5th District Magistrate is a way I can give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family over the years.

If elected to office, what would be your top three goals?

1. Foremost is to continue to work with all department heads and other constitutional office holders to maintain our strong financial position.  The record shows this court has been wise stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars. We have kept a tight rein on spending while providing a high level of services our citizens rely on. The challenge going forward will be to continue to keep from raising revenues while faced with rising fuel costs and overall inflation.

 

2. Continue to work with the City/County Planning Commission and other local officials to thoroughly vet future economic development projects while staying open to concerns raised by the public, especially when it comes to health and safety and best land use practices. We need and want growth, but it must be a benefit and not a detriment to the community. We are blessed with a great location and have infrastructure in place to be competitive for creating new jobs and attracting new industry. If elected, I will continue to support our local schools, CTE unit and Community College to ensure we have the well-trained workforce needed by new and existing industries.

 

3. This court has collaborated with the City and other local agencies to improve the quality of life for our citizens. Providing the lighting at the Sports Complex, helping extend natural gas service to the Geneva area, and assisting the county water district reduce costly water leaks and other infrastructure needs are just a few of the examples of this spirit of cooperation. My goal is to look for even more ways we can partner with the city and others to improve the quality of life for all residents.

Why should people vote for you?

As someone who covered local government their entire professional life I thought I had a pretty good grasp on what being an elected official entailed. I was sorely mistaken. These past 3+ years in office have taught me what being a good public servant is really about. I have no agenda, no ax to grind, just a strong desire to make our community the best it can be. I have the experience, time and desire to continue to serve as 5th District Magistrate.

 

Please feel free to add an additional comment.

Thank you for giving us this opportunity. Thanks to the voters for putting their trust and confidence in me to serve as their voice in the Fifth District . I humbly ask for your continued support and vote in the coming November 3rd General Election.