Lexington unveils official portrait of Mayor Newberry

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Former mayor Jim Newberry’s official portrait was unveiled on Thursday during a ceremony at the Government Center. Newberry was Lexington mayor from 2007-2010.

“It’s a great honor to welcome Mayor Newberry and his family back to the Government Center,” Mayor Jim Gray said. “He made a lot of progress for our city.”

The city said when Newberry was mayor he focused on a wide range of initiatives, including projects that stimulated the economy, balanced the budget, made government more efficient, and protected the environment.

“I’m grateful to Councilmember Susan Lamb and to the Lexington History Museum for providing this opportunity for me to say thanks to the citizens of Lexington, the city employees, the commissioners, and the Mayor’s Office staff members who helped me so much during my tenure as Mayor,” Newberry said.

The city said despite serving during the so-called “Great Recession,” Newberry’s list of accomplishments includes:

• Establishment of the Bluegrass Business Development Partnership, a joint effort of the city, Commerce Lexington, the University of Kentucky and Bluegrass Community and Technical College. The Partnership focused on job creation.

• Expansion of government transparency and accountability by implementing training for appointees to community boards; expanding the city’s Internal Audit Division; and overhauling the city’s website to make it more accessible.

• Improvements to government efficiency by reducing the size of the city’s work force by 200 full-time positions and cutting taxes.

• Redevelopment of several major downtown corridors.

• Redevelopment of Cheapside Park and the construction of the Fifth Third Pavilion.

• Opening of the Newtown Pike Extension, now known as Oliver Lewis Way.

• Facilitated the establishment of Lexington’s Higher Ed Triangle with the movement of Eastern State Hospital to Coldstream Research Park and the movement of Bluegrass Community and Technical College from UK’s campus to Newtown Pike.

• Establishment of the city’s first Department of Environmental Quality, increased recycling and the start of a far-reaching initiative to overhaul Lexington’s aging sewers.

• Created LFUCG’s first Chief Information Officer to enhance the city’s broad array of information technology.

• Oversaw the city’s preparation for the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games, including 17-days of downtown events known as Spotlight Lexington.

• Rebirth of the Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center.

• Increased the city’s investment in the arts through the creation of the Mayor’s Challenge as part of LexArts’ Annual Campaign.

• Construction the Legacy Trail and other recreational trails that have made Lexington more bicycle friendly.

The city said Newberry is one of three former Mayors whose portraits have recently been commissioned.