LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After two days of interviews, Louisville Metro Council has decided who will fill two empty seats.

Phillip Baker will now represent District 6, and Kumar Rashad will represent District 3. Both are Democrats who work for Jefferson County Public Schools.

Councilmembers conducted nearly 30 interviews on Monday and Tuesday to find the new representatives. 

Keisha Dorsey and David James both resigned from their seats in Districts 3 and 6, respectively, to join the administration of Mayor Craig Greenberg. Dorsey is Greenberg's deputy chief of staff, and James is deputy mayor for emergency services.

By law, Metro Council has to select replacements within 30 days of a seat becoming vacant.

In all, 28 eligible applicants were invited to be interviewed. 

During its meeting Thursday evening, Metro Council appointed Baker to fill the District 6 seat formerly held by James. Baker, a resident of Old Louisville, received 20 votes to fill the vacancy. Thirteen votes, a majority, was the requirement to be appointed.

"This just gives me a larger platform to continue a work of service," said Baker. 

District 6 serves much of Old Louisville. According to the Old Louisville Neighborhood Council, Baker is a family resource coordinator in the JCPS system and an active volunteer at Christ Way Missionary Baptist Church. He described the work he does for JCPS as removing barriers for students to achieve their dreams. It's an approach he wants to take across his district by reaching out to kids, while also looking after older generations.

"We have a lot of senior and assisted living facilities that are not being touched," he said. "I want to make sure I reach out to those folks, know that they have a voice."

During his interview, the neighborhood council said, Baker said his focus would be "to shrink the distance between community and the government, and fight for a quality of life for all residents, so all can flourish." It also said Baker intends to run in the May primary to keep the seat, which will be on the ballot.

Baker's No. 1 issue, he said, is public safety. Not just through policing, but by converting more dangerous one-way streets.

"I believe that leads into economic development, continue to build programs and initiatives to attract our youth, to get involved in a positive way," he said.

Minutes after Baker was chosen, he was sworn in and signed paperwork. Shortly after, the Council announced the new District 3 representative — Rashad, who will replace Dorsey. He was appointed with 16 votes.

District 3 serves part of southwest Louisville, including Shively, from Taylor Boulevard to the border of Cane Run Road, and Algonquin Parkway south to Rockford Lane and Gagel Avenue. It's an area Rashad said he wants to bring more resources to. 

"Community centers, libraries, different things for kids to do," he said. 

Rashad, who leads the mathematics department at Breckinridge Metropolitan High School, has recently served as the alcohol beverage control officer administrator for Shively City Council. He's also on the Kentucky Education Association Board of Directors.

He also works with the Jefferson County Teachers Association and the National Council of Urban Education Associates, according to a copy of his resume provided by Metro Council.

Rashad said his focus as District 3's representative is another city-wide issue: affordable housing.

"More equitable access to housing, safe housing, safe neighborhoods, and just really improving infrastructure and trying to bring businesses to our area," he said. "Because that's one thing the south end lacks more than anything is reputable businesses."

There was no learning curve for the new councilmembers. Right after they were sworn in, they took their seats and cast their first votes.

The Metro Council Clerk’s Office accepted applications from Jan. 4-13, and then the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office reviewed those applications for eligibility.

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