Editor’s Note: The NKyTribune is offering one free op-ed posting from NKY candidates in major races in which there is opposition for the November 3 General Election. Today’s commentaries are the last in the series for 2026. All submissions have been printed as of today. Open voting continues today. The polls are open on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. To find how where to vote, see govote.ky.gov.
Ludlow has always been more than a place on a map to me. It’s where my story began, where I grew up on Ash Street, attended Ludlow schools from kindergarten through graduation, and where my husband and I chose to build our lives and raise our two sons.
Both of our sons graduated from Ludlow High School, and our oldest has now purchased a home here. There’s something meaningful about watching another generation of your family choose the same community that helped shape who you are.
I graduated from Ludlow High School in 1999 and went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in accounting, with a minor in business administration, from Northern Kentucky University. My professional career in accounting, payroll, and business operations taught me the importance of organization, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration.
I became involved in city government because I wanted to contribute to the community that had given my family so much. I was elected to City Council and later had the honor of becoming Ludlow’s first woman mayor in September 2025.
Serving as mayor has been challenging and rewarding. It’s given me a greater appreciation for the employees who keep our city running and the residents who care deeply about its future.
Ludlow is growing, and with that growth comes opportunity and responsibility.
We’re seeing new development, businesses, and families choosing Ludlow as their home. Our riverfront continues to evolve, and our business district has tremendous potential.
Growth also brings change, and change isn’t always easy. Cityview Station is one example. The decisions that allowed this development to move forward were made before I served on City Council or became mayor. I recognize that it wasn’t what many residents envisioned for that property, and I understand the concerns surrounding it. Those concerns matter, and we must continue working to address them.
But I also think about the people who already call Cityview Station home, along with those who will join them in the coming years. They’re our neighbors. They’re becoming part of our community, visiting our parks, supporting our local businesses, and building their own memories here.
My hope is that they experience the same warmth, kindness, and sense of community that have made Ludlow special for generations.
We don’t have to agree on every change in our city to agree that everyone who calls Ludlow home deserves to feel welcome.
I treasure our history and traditions, but I also believe every new neighbor brings something valuable: different experiences, fresh perspectives, new friendships, and opportunities to grow together.
A strong community isn’t defined by how long someone has lived here, but by our willingness to make room for others.
During my time as mayor, I’ve worked to turn ideas into meaningful improvements.
We’ve continued progress along our riverfront, including the opening of the second phase of the Ludlow Riverwalk and the addition of the Martin River Stage. We’ve advanced accessibility improvements, updated City Council chambers, and modernized city communications through a redesigned website and digital sign.
I’ve worked with city staff, police, and legal counsel to address neighborhood concerns, including traffic safety and the growing use of e-bikes and e-scooters. I’ve supported public safety investments and advocated for infrastructure improvements.
Supporting local businesses has also been a priority. I’ve encouraged communication with business owners and promoted opportunities within our business district.
I’m proud of our progress, but meaningful improvements require employees, elected officials, community organizations, volunteers, and residents working together. No one accomplishes this work alone.
We need more opportunities to bring our community together.
I’d like to see more events celebrating local businesses, showcasing talent, supporting our schools, and connecting residents of all ages.
Whether it’s a riverfront concert, neighborhood gathering, community cleanup, or seasonal celebration, these experiences create friendships and a sense of belonging.
Community engagement shouldn’t be limited to council meetings or speaking up when there’s a problem. It should be encouraged throughout the year.
I want more residents involved in advisory committees, volunteer efforts, beautification projects, neighborhood initiatives, and community celebrations.
We have dedicated individuals who have volunteered for years, sometimes decades. Their contributions deserve appreciation and respect. They’ve helped build traditions that generations have enjoyed.
But sustaining those traditions also means welcoming others to participate and help carry that work forward.
Leadership isn’t ownership. It’s an opportunity to serve, mentor, and eventually make room for someone else.
We shouldn’t expect the same individuals to carry every responsibility indefinitely, nor should newcomers feel they must wait years before their ideas are welcomed.
Healthy organizations encourage new perspectives, share responsibilities, develop future leaders, and recognize that change doesn’t diminish previous contributions.
One of the greatest contributions an experienced community leader can make is helping someone else become a leader.
I’d love to see more young adults, newer residents, business owners, and families step forward.
Not simply as volunteers carrying out someone else’s vision, but as people empowered to organize, make decisions, and introduce ideas of their own.
Government can provide support and remove barriers, but our greatest opportunities for progress come when residents actively participate.
We can honor Ludlow’s past without allowing it to limit our future. We can preserve traditions while creating new ones and embrace growth while protecting the character and relationships that make Ludlow feel like home.
My priorities include infrastructure, public safety, responsible growth, business development, accessibility, and expanded community engagement.
I’m seeking election as mayor because I believe in this community and the possibilities ahead.
I want Ludlow to remain a place where longtime residents feel valued, newcomers feel welcomed, and our children can imagine building their own lives.
Our history gives Ludlow its identity. Our willingness to welcome new people, new ideas, and new leaders will help shape its future.
Sarah Thompson is the Mayor of Ludlow and a candidate for mayor in the November 3 general election.