Story by Haley Penrod, Contributing writer 

In November 2018, Bob Rogers was elected the new mayor of Murray.

On Jan. 29, The News sat down with Rogers to discuss how he will make Murray State a priority and what his goals are as mayor. Some answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

How do you think the city of Murray and Murray State can better work together? 

“I think if we are going to attract businesses and industries to our community, then they need to see a unified effort on behalf of the city, county and Murray State. The administrators of those three entities will be very important in working with economic development, showing people that we will work together.  Murray State is very important in that process.”

What are your priorities regarding Murray State?

“Murray State is so important. We wouldn’t have a lot of things we have if it wasn’t for Murray State. We wouldn’t have a lot of the restaurants and other establishments because there wouldn’t likely be enough people to support them. So, we want to do what we can to help get enrollment back to what it was a few years ago and to help it grow. I go to ballgames and see kids from all over that have been invited. I see administrators from all over. They are making an effort to reach out to high schools and communities.”

How can the city of Murray help Murray State increase enrollment?

“We got to sell it. I spent fifty years in schools. Murray State needs to personally know every guidance counselor in Western Kentucky and maybe even in Kentucky. Guidance counselors have a big influence on where kids go to school. They help them with scholarships and give them information. So, reaching out to the schools is important in making them feel welcome.”

What are your long-term goals as mayor?

“We have a lot of things that we have started that we have to follow through with. We have a new wastewater treatment plant, a $61 million dollar project to take care of our sewer. Also, we are working on a four-lane highway between Murray and Paris and a loop to go around Murray to keep some of the trucks from going downtown. But, the primary thing I want to do is service the people and to help Murray move forward, if I can.”

What are your short-term goals as mayor?

“I heard throughout the campaign a lot about being transparent, listening to the people and communicating better. So, I put in some programs, like the community liaison position that is staffed by volunteers with its own phone number where if any citizen has any concern or complaint, then all they have to do is come by the office or call the number. They can share their concern and the volunteer will get the answer and get back to them immediately.”

Are there any future projects that you want to initiate?

“I want to revitalize downtown. I think we need to have some incentives to attract more restaurants and shops… I have heard that a lot of students have never been downtown, so we need something to attract them downtown. I have a committee that I put together to bring forth ideas about revitalizing downtown…  I also want more sidewalks. There are a lot of students that walk from their apartment to campus and don’t have a sidewalk to walk on.”