Graszus, a challenger and former proprietor of Papa Dinno’s Pizza, which closed after five years of operation, spoke directly to the challenges of running a business in Ludlow. Given the city’s proximity to KY-8, which leads into Boone County, the city needed “to figure out a way to to attract the Boone County people,” she said.

Ludlow City Council candidates discuss issues, goals at open forum

Paula Hughes Graszus previously owned Papa Dinno’s Pizza, which closed after five years of operation.

Stephen Chapman Sr.
Meagan Guthrie
Paula Graszus
Brian Bumgarner
Julie Terry Navarre
David Ziegler

City of Ludlow > Government > City Council

Paula currently serves on the Ludlow City Council.

Ludlow City Council Meeting Minutes — September 11, 2025 (PDF)

2026 Kentucky General Election

Graszus and Matthews Frank encouraged the residents to contact them if they had problems with the construction.

“If people don’t come and complain and tell people what is happening in their home or to their home, how’s the council supposed to know?” Graszus said.

Encourages residents to report construction-related problems to the city council.

- Encourages residents to report construction-related problems to the city council.

Public Services

Thompson and several members of the city council have made clear that they do not want data centers in Ludlow. Thompson said she has reviewed concerns raised in other cities that host data centers, along with worries expressed by local residents.

Thompson said that Ludlow wants to utilize the Kenton County Planning Commission to review the impacts of data center uses and impacts such as electricity, ground pollution, and water pollution, as well as the evaluation of the appropriate zoning districts and regulations and amendments for consideration.

“We’re a small town,” said Councilmember Paula Graszus. “We want to keep a small-town feel. Do we need the economic help? Yes, we do. But we’re going to find it somewhere else.”

Ludlow approves moratorium on data centers, other IT infrastructure projects

Said Ludlow should seek economic help elsewhere, rather than from data centers, to preserve its small-town feel.

- Said Ludlow should seek economic help elsewhere, rather than from data centers, to preserve its small-town feel.

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 15, 2026, Paula Hughes Graszus did not have a website or any information online.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Public Safety

Education

The compensating plus + 2% rate would bring the real estate rate up to $0.534 per $100 and the personal property rate up to $1.842 per $100. The compensating plus + 4% rate would bring the real estate rate up to $0.551 per $100 and the personal property rate to $1.905 per $100.

Navarre then recommended calling for another vote on the middle rate.

The council voted again; this time Chapman, Graszus and Navarre voted in favor of the middle rate. Council Members David Ziegler and Abby Miller voted against it.

Ludlow raises taxes after stalled votes

Voted for Ludlow's compensating property-tax rate plus 2%.

- Voted for Ludlow's compensating property-tax rate plus 2%.

Economy

Paula Hughes Graszus

Said that Kentucky League Cities training advised cities to use the compensating property-tax rate plus 4%.

As of September 15, 2026, Paula Hughes Graszus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Discussion on the compensating tax rate ($.530 per $100.00 valuation) and the compensating rate + 4% ($.551 per $100.00 valuation). Mr. Smith recommended that Council consider taking the compensating rate + 4% to keep a cushion for expenses. Ms. Terry Navarre advised that she would prefer to take the compensating rate + 4% but is open to conversation. Mr. Chapman advised that he would prefer to leave the tax rate at the current rate of $.499 per $100.00 valuation. Ms. Graszus stated that the training she received from Kentucky League Cities advised that any city that does not take the compensating + 4% rate is hurting their own pocket. Following discussion, council decided to have first readings of three different rates—the first would keep the rate the same, the second would set the rate at compensating +2%, and the third would set the rate at compensating + 4%.

Brian J. Bumgarner

Chad Finni

David Ziegler

Jennifer Veon

Joel Walters

Ken Wynn

Meagan Guthrie

- City council members make up the legislative body of the city's government and are responsible for the public's health, safety, and welfare. Its legislative duties include enacting ordinances, levying taxes, and adopting a budget. 
- The city council has the authority to investigate all activities of the city government and its employees. 
- City councils in Kentucky typically have between 6 and 12 council members. They serve two-year terms except in Louisville and Lexington where some members serve four-year terms. 
- Council members can be elected to represent a single district or the city at-large. Elections take place in even-numbered years. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.