Scott Wartman

swartman@enquirer.com

A young community organizer will challenge Newport's mayor this year.

Josh Tunning, 24, wants to bring fresh ideas and debate to a city that he said hasn't had any in a while.

"Just talking to people in the community, hearing what they have to say, there's this sense that nothing ever changes around here," Tunning said. "I'm not saying I agree or disagree with that. But talking to people, there's this sense of things being stagnant."

Tunning and incumbent Mayor Jerry Peluso have yet to file. Tunning recently announced his candidacy at a private gathering at Reser Bicycle Outfitters on Monmouth Street.

Tunning would challenge a mayor with decades of experience in city politics and one of the most recognizable names in the city. The mayor is the nephew of the late and much beloved longtime former Mayor Johnny "TV" Peluso.

Peluso didn't immediately return calls for comment.

The Peluso name is one of two that is ubiquitous in Newport politics. The other is Guidugli. Jerry Peluso's cousin, Frank Peluso, is on city commission and is the vice mayor. Another City Commissioner, Tom Guidugli, Jr., is the son of the previous mayor.

Tunning said he feels they have done a nice job. He just thinks more people should run for office. He would like to see a crowded slate.

"I think conversations are good," Tunning said. "I think that's the whole point of elections. I want to see folks get fired up."

Since he moved to Newport three years ago, Tunning has become a visible member of the community. He works as a community organizer for the nonprofit Brighton Center. He's led efforts to get community input on a variety of issues. When the Ky. 9 extension into Newport was being proposed, Tunning gathered a group of people to fight for the inclusion of bike lanes. They succeeded. The highway is currently under construction on the west side of the city.

"We didn't yell and scream," Tunning said. "We approached the city, that led to meetings with the city and state. Look where that got us. We have bike lanes on Route 9. That is community organizing."

Biking is very important to Tunning. On Monday he rode is red bicycle along Monmouth Street in temperatures dipping into the teens.

The city needs to look to residents and other organizations for money to get roads, bike lanes and parks improved, Tunning said.

"If we're waiting on the federal government, you'll be waiting forever," Tunning said. "It is up to us to make change."

He's also led the effort for residents to draft a plan to improve the quality of life in Newport, called ReNewport. Hundreds of residents have attended public meetings over the past two years. The end result will be a plan that will recommend how to improve Newport. That plan is scheduled to be done in March.

The Northern Kentucky University graduate grew up in Burlington and always had an interest in politics. He got a bachelor's degree in political science and is currently working on a masters at NKU in public administration.

He said his young age shouldn't discourage people from voting for him.

"They say youth is wasted on the young," Tunning said. "Not with millennials. It is our time to shine."