From ‘Cocaine Bear’ to Civic Supper Clubs: Who’s bankrolling Lexington’s Park Tax ballot initiative?

A company investing in residential properties in low-income neighborhoods; another that once advertised to aliens as potential Lexington tourists; and a family with wealth tracing back to the Standard Oil fortune—what do they have in common? They all donated $5,000 or more to “Vote Yes For Parks Lexington,” the group advocating for the Parks Funding Ballot Initiative. The group has raised a total of $220,521 so far and has $170,497.78 cash available.

On September 10, the group released their financial report, revealing a striking roster of high-profile donors and substantial contributions. Among the biggest supporters are some of Lexington’s wealthiest and most influential figures, raising concerns about the true motivations behind the initiative and whom it is really designed to benefit.

This post will feature a sample of some of the most high profile and high dollar donors. For a complete searchable table of “Vote Yes For Parks Lexington” donors, scroll to the bottom of the page.

VanMeter Family – Gave $32,256 total between 16 family members

The VanMeter family is one of Lexington’s most influential and well-known families, with deep ties to local development, culture, and philanthropy. The family has been involved in various community projects, both positive and controversial. Griffin VanMeter, a prominent family member, has played a key role in promoting Kentucky culture through initiatives like “Kentucky for Kentucky.” Additionally, the Browning-Vanmeter Family Foundation, led by Laurance B. VanMeter, a justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court, is active in local philanthropy, further extending the family’s influence in Lexington. However, the family has not been without controversy—Tom VanMeter, Griffin’s father, faced public backlash for racist remarks, an incident that Griffin himself addressed publicly.

Of the VanMeters, Griffin has contributed the most ($9,906) to the Parks Funding Ballot Initiative and has taken a leadership role in advancing the campaign, underscoring the family’s vested interest in its outcome. Griffin once gained attention for purchasing the carcass of a bear that supposedly overdosed on cocaine in Tennessee, an incident tied to the notorious Bluegrass Conspiracy. Griffin and his business partner famously trademarked the phrase “Cocaine Bear” in an attempt to profit from the tragedy, a testament to Vanmeter’s shrewd business and marketing acumen.

Anne Kenan, Elhapa Foundation – $10,000

Anne Kenan, one of the top donors to Lexington’s Parks Funding Ballot Initiative, is a key figure in local philanthropy. According to a 2013 report by The Wall Street Journal, Kenan “is a descendant of Mary Lily Kenan, the third wife of Henry Morrison Flagler, who is among the 50 wealthiest Americans of all time. Flagler was a founder of Standard Oil along with John D. Rockefeller, who is widely regarded as the wealthiest man in history.”

The Elhapa Foundation, Inc., led by Elizabeth and James Kenan, reported over $38 million in net assets as of 2023. The foundation, plays a substantial role in supporting local causes and gave a total of $3.8 million to various causes in 2023, according to a 2023 Form 990-PF. The foundation recently donated $10,000 to the Bluegrass Land Conservancy, which also received an easement on Kenan Farm.

Kenan’s influence also extends into the civic arena, where she is a “Civic Defender” for CivicLex. This designation is reserved for significant donors contributing over $5,000 to support CivicLex’s initiatives, providing them with access to exclusive “Civic Supper Clubs”—quarterly gatherings hosted by CIvicLex that connect Lexington’s most “influential and interesting civic actors” for “intimate meals and meaningful conversations”.

Karl “Kip” Cornett, Cornett Group – $10,000

Kip Cornett, Chairman Emeritus of Cornett Marketing, and his company Cornett Group each gave $5,000 to the Park Tax cause. Cornett had $21.1 million in revenue in 2023, according to an AdAge report. It was the agency behind VisitLex’s infamous “Horse Kicks” and “Hey Aliens! Look at Lexington!” campaigns.

Dr. Thomas Jarboe, University of Kentucky – $10,000

Dr. Thomas Jarboe is a pulmonologist at UK’s Chandler Medical Center. He gave $10,000 to the Park Tax campaign.

Gray Construction – $6,000

Gray Construction, the company of multi-millionaire former mayor Jim Gray, gave $6,000 between two contributions.

Revitalex Properties – $5,000

Revitalex Properties made headlines when it purchased 67 Fayette County residential properties in a 2.5 year span between 2019 and 2022. According to a Herald-Leader report, the company, owned by Scott McIntosh and Christopher Scheutz, “focus[es] on buying and flipping single-family homes. McIntosh also advises investors on how to shield their capital gains by putting their assets in ‘opportunity zones’ in low-income neighborhoods.”

Christopher Young, WT Young LLC – $5,000

Chris Young is an investor and entrepreneur in the technology sector, contributed $5,000 to the Park Tax initiative. Young has spent over a decade actively investing in technology-related startups, having launched two startups himself, raising over $60 million in venture capital from prominent firms such as Sequoia Capital and Oracle Venture Fund. He continues to play a significant role in the local startup ecosystem, serving on the boards of the Blue Grass Angel Venture Fund II and Transposagen Biopharmaceuticals, according to a University of Kentucky bio.

Mobile users: please rotate your phone to optimally view the data table.

Lexington Park Tax Contributors List