The format of tonight’s forum will be that each question will be answered by two candidates, then they’ll go on to the next question, and next two candidates answering. \u00c2\u00a0With ten candidates in the running, it should be answering.<\/p>\n
Tom Beehan<\/a> opens with a brief biography. \u00c2\u00a0He has been on City Council for eight years. \u00c2\u00a0We’re beginning to address the issue of crime in our neighborhoods with increased patrols; we’ve begun to address housing and our older neighborhoods. \u00c2\u00a0Lastly, we’re improving retail, particularly in working with some of the small retail neighborhoods like Jackson Square.<\/p>\n Jimmy Bouchard is introduced next; he doesn’t think that experience should be measured for this office, as he comes from the “best high school in America.” \u00c2\u00a0The high school senior will turn 18 on May 22, qualifying him for office. \u00c2\u00a0He says that he will not vote his own convictions, but those expressed by the people. \u00c2\u00a0He plans to major in nuclear engineering at UTK next year. \u00c2\u00a0He’d like to diversify the city’s economy by supporting small businesses; he’d like to go ahead and build the new senior center that was promised.<\/p>\n Anne Garcia Garland<\/a> follows, citing that she no longer has any ties to special interests like DOE and their contractors. \u00c2\u00a0She’s not entirely happy with the way things have gone recently, with a Council who claims to know what is best. \u00c2\u00a0“Oak Ridgers need to decide who we’re going to be when we grow up.” \u00c2\u00a0We need to take care of the existing retail we have, in order to encourage others to come.<\/p>\n John Alex Groff<\/a> works at ORNL, at the SNS. \u00c2\u00a0Vision for Oak Ridge: the population today is the same as it was when he was born. \u00c2\u00a0Growing the population depends on growing the industrial base. \u00c2\u00a0Why haven’t we tried to entice some of the off-road industry to Oak Ridge, with more than 700 miles of off road trails nearby? \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n Rick Hasbrouck notes the lack of retail, and that improving retail would ease the property tax burden. \u00c2\u00a0We need to add police officers rather than relying on overtime. \u00c2\u00a0Says that he is new to Oak Ridge.<\/p>\n Martin McBride<\/a>: undergraduate degree in physics from the University of Delaware, married 35 years. \u00c2\u00a0 Got his graduate degree in bionucleonics. \u00c2\u00a0Worked the cleanup at Three Mile Island, then moved to oak Ridge to work for DOE.<\/p>\n Jane Miller<\/a> has been an Oak Ridger since the age of three; she works in PR for BWXT. \u00c2\u00a0She is disappointed in the last couple of years, but thinks that we’ve gone overboard with citizen input to the point of not being able to accomplish anything. \u00c2\u00a0We need to be more flexible, more business-friendly, and need to treat our citizens as our customers. \u00c2\u00a0Small, one-issue groups should not be able to halt progress; public input is important, but Council must make the hard decisions. \u00c2\u00a0We need that can-do, Manhattan Project attitude that we’ve always had.<\/p>\n David Mosby, trusted for the last eight years on Council, is “ready to continue the work that we have started.” \u00c2\u00a0Property tax revenue has been increased about $1M from the new, privately-owned DOE buildings. \u00c2\u00a0Supports new initiatives like the recycling plan, the sustainability plan, and the acquisition of hybrid vehicles for the City. \u00c2\u00a0We have to find better and more effective ways to combat crime and drugs. \u00c2\u00a0We need to pay attention to our seniors, and to keep the pressure off of our property taxes.<\/p>\n Eric Tobler, an Oak Ridge native (1983 graduate), worked for Bechtel then Y-12. \u00c2\u00a0Following a boating accident, he started Tobler Enterprises, which is both a landscaping and development enterprise. \u00c2\u00a0Owns residential and retail property in Oak Ridge — if OakRidge fails, he will fail.<\/p>\n Tony Turner<\/a> is a West Point graduate. \u00c2\u00a0Followng his military retirement, he settled in Oak Ridge — his first hometown. \u00c2\u00a0He is the program manager for Homeland Security at ORNL. \u00c2\u00a0The City needs leadership now, vision + action.<\/p>\n (End of the introductory speeches)<\/p>\n Stan Mitchell asks: what does the City need to do to get citizen support for projects?<\/p>\n David Mosby responds that citizens have ample opportunity for input, and that they exercise those opportunities.<\/p>\n Tobler: Council needs to share what their goals are; we’re not sure what the goals and vision are. \u00c2\u00a0If Council would show their plan to the citizens, then people would understand where we’re going. \u00c2\u00a0It seems like all the talk is about taxes.<\/p>\n Q) What do you think the City could do to attract more young families, and what will happen if we don’t?<\/p>\n McBride: The City has a problem due to certain constraints. \u00c2\u00a0We have, for so long, allowed people at ORNL and Y-12 to drift away from Oak Ridge, so when someone new comes in, they’re surrounded by people who live in Farragut instead of here. \u00c2\u00a0First, we have to get them interested in coming here.<\/p>\n Garland: We need a different approach. \u00c2\u00a0We need to concentrate in attracting the kind of families who would want to live here; for people who want to escape big city life and rat races elsewhere. \u00c2\u00a0We should advertise to specific target audiences. \u00c2\u00a0If we can make the town feel friendly to small business, that’s who takes the risk.<\/p>\n Q) What would you do to enhance revenues for the City:<\/p>\n Beehan: Because of a different relationship with DOE, we didn’t have to raise property taxes. \u00c2\u00a0Some of the innovations like the private buildings are really helping. \u00c2\u00a0The stimulus and cleanup programs have insulated us from the woes that other cities are facing. \u00c2\u00a0DOE is the 900-lb gorilla in town, and the best way to deal with it is to work with them.<\/p>\n Groff: Growth is the answer. \u00c2\u00a0We can grow through industry, retail, or commerical, but we have to grow. \u00c2\u00a0We have to market ourselves to these businesses. \u00c2\u00a0We have to work with City staff to help them understand we must bend over backward to make business welcome. \u00c2\u00a0Voted against Crestpoint, but now realizes his error.<\/p>\n Q) Is there anything specifically that we could do as a City to attract more retailers?<\/p>\n Bouchard: Retailers look at many different aspects, such as demand and demographics. \u00c2\u00a0It’s hard for a city our size to attract them, unless we show that we can attract more people to live and shop here. \u00c2\u00a0A tax abatement would show that we are committed to helping them.<\/p>\n Hasbrouck: Need to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce; we need to advertise to let others know that Oak Ridge is open for business. \u00c2\u00a0The realtor that was bringing Target, is no longer interested in working within Oak Ridge.<\/p>\n Q) What do you think should be the City’s #1 priority?<\/p>\n Miller: Jobs, housing, and retail. \u00c2\u00a0We’re fine on jobs, we’re improving on housing, but our main problem is retail — one of the two only ways to get money into the City. \u00c2\u00a0We can’t address other things until we fix that problem.<\/p>\n Turner: Crime is our most pressing issue. \u00c2\u00a0We have a higher crime rate than most of the rest of Tennessee. \u00c2\u00a0Most of our crime is driven by the drug trade. \u00c2\u00a0 Anderson County is the only county in our region that is not affiliated with the High Intensity Drug Trafficing Area effort.<\/p>\n Q) After a string of home invasions, has the additional overtime patrols and neighborhood watch been effective?<\/p>\n Hasbrouck: I haven’t seen the stats to know if we’re making progress or not. \u00c2\u00a0Instead of overtime, we need to expand the police force. \u00c2\u00a0Police and landlords can solve the problem.<\/p>\n Groff: I think these measures have been effective. \u00c2\u00a0Criminals are getting caught, but they’re getting smarter. \u00c2\u00a0They’re carrying smaller amounts of drugs, not carrying weapons, so they get less time. \u00c2\u00a0We have eighty-some people in the police department, but only half of those on patrol. \u00c2\u00a0We have eighty-some personnel in parks and recreation. \u00c2\u00a0Overtime is not the answer. \u00c2\u00a0We can’t afford to have someone out there who’s been working 16 hours straight.<\/p>\n Q) Roane State is trying to raise $5M; do you support the City contribution of $500k.<\/p>\n Mosby: I’m concerned about the repayment method, but appreciate the benefit that Roane State brings and think it will pay dividends in the long run.<\/p>\n McBride: I fully support that. \u00c2\u00a0Where is the money coming from? \u00c2\u00a0I would reduce the City’s lobbyist contract to find (part of) the money. \u00c2\u00a0Our schools need continued funding increases, along with police and fire. \u00c2\u00a0We must prioritize, and we take money from things at the bottom of the list.<\/p>\n Q) How does the City move forward, while preserving our historic areas?<\/p>\n Tobler: We cannot hold on to dilapidated buildings; if somehting must be preserved, could we use volunteer effort to do so? \u00c2\u00a0Sometimes, volunteers are chastized for their efforts.<\/p>\n Garland: If we’re going to move forard, we have to know what direction “forward” is. \u00c2\u00a0Am not necessarily a proponent of growth for the sake of growth. \u00c2\u00a0I support any and all historical projects that do not require the City borrowing money.<\/p>\n Q) What is your take on the marina redevelopment?<\/p>\n Miller: I am in favor of the redevelopment. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t want to harm the natural beauty, but think that we should have appropriate restaurants, restroom facilities, human-powered sports businesses. \u00c2\u00a0But, we have to work with the developer, because the City does not have the money to fund it. \u00c2\u00a0Does not want motorized boats there.<\/p>\n Bouchard: development of the marina is crucial. \u00c2\u00a0The development shows that Oak Ridge cares about the options and opportunities, but we’ve done very little to promote the second-best rowing venue in the whole country.<\/p>\n Q) What is your position on red light and speed enforcement cameras in Oak Ridge?<\/p>\n Turner: I’m against the cameras, because of the very emotional reaction generated amongst the citizens. \u00c2\u00a0I did not find a competting reason that justified installation against the will of the citizens.<\/p>\n Beehan: The cameras are part of an overall program to protect the children in this community. \u00c2\u00a0The red light cameras are the same kind of technology as radar was a few years ago. \u00c2\u00a0We have new school zones, we have crossing guards, and we’ve gotten a safe schools grant. \u00c2\u00a0The cameras are not about revenue, they’re about safety.<\/p>\n Q) The majority of people at the DOE facilities live outside Oak Ridge. \u00c2\u00a0Why do you think that is?<\/p>\n Groff: One of the reasons is because that’s where their co-workers live. \u00c2\u00a0Once people get in the hands of Knoxville realtors, they’re lost to us. \u00c2\u00a0We need a relocation specialist. \u00c2\u00a0We have so much that Knoxville doesn’t have, but people don’t know that.<\/p>\n Hasbrouck: It’s not just DOE, it’s a lot of our employers. \u00c2\u00a0A lot of it is that the Knoxville realtors get to them first. \u00c2\u00a0Part of the problem is that our property tax rate is so high. \u00c2\u00a0Red light cameras won’t help, either.<\/p>\n Q) Do we need a new senior center, and how do we fund it?<\/p>\n Miller: I think we’d all love to see a new senior center, but until we have more revenue, we cannot address these new issues (like police, Roane State, etc.).<\/p>\n Beehan: I’d love to have a new senior center, but we’re in a 5-year contract with the current building. \u00c2\u00a0The building is only a place — we also need to look at the services offered, and those may be located elsewhere. \u00c2\u00a0Back to police, no one is working 18 hours. \u00c2\u00a0We are applying for five new officers under the stimulus funding. \u00c2\u00a0The best way to address the problem NOW is to reward our officers with overtime.<\/p>\n Q) If you’re elected, how would you operate as a leader?<\/p>\n Bouchard: If elected, I promise that my seat will be a seat for the people. \u00c2\u00a0No small group should hold up anything, but public opinion matters a great deal. \u00c2\u00a0I will bring enthusiasm, a new viewpoint. \u00c2\u00a0We need to target the 18-35 age group.<\/p>\n Turner: Leadership is the ability to influence people. \u00c2\u00a0I have the ability to follow through.<\/p>\n Q) Share your opinions on west end development?<\/p>\n McBride: One of our significant challenges is that we’re a long, thin city. \u00c2\u00a0The west end looks like a golden opportunity to develop retail centers, which turn out to be quite important. \u00c2\u00a0One of our largest new developments is on the extreme west end, and we’ve invested a great deal in the infrastructure to get there. \u00c2\u00a0We are in competition, and we have to develop the entire city.<\/p>\n Garland: Ditto. \u00c2\u00a0If we can continue to encourage people to love their neighborhoods, we should do just fine there.<\/p>\n Q) The City has a tax abatement policy, awarding levels of support depending on the level of investment. \u00c2\u00a0Do you support it, and why or why not?<\/p>\n Mosby: I support an abatement policy. \u00c2\u00a0The abatement doesn’t make the deal, but is considered as something factored into the business plan. \u00c2\u00a0It needs to be flexible, but structured enough so that there’s a reasonable assurance of a return on investment. \u00c2\u00a0I would like to see it change to address the under-utilized properties, and try to help us grow the west end.<\/p>\n Tobler: Tax abatements can be a good thing, but need to be considered individually. \u00c2\u00a0Big businesses push for them the hardest, but the small businesses usually need them the most. \u00c2\u00a0We need to be ready to negotiate, so that more money can come back to the city once they’re on their feet.<\/p>\n AUDIENCE QUESTIONS: (Selected in random order)<\/p>\n Q) Why can’t we encourage all city employees to live here:<\/p>\n Turner: I have no idea why they would not. \u00c2\u00a0 We need to talk to the new employees and tell them the positive things about Oak Ridge.<\/p>\n Q) The percentage of economically disadvantaged kids in the school system is reaching new highs. \u00c2\u00a0what would you propose to do?<\/p>\n Tobler: Get with the school board and empower them to do what needs to be done.<\/p>\n Q) Will you support a property tax increase to finance the city’s needs?<\/p>\n Mosby: it depends. \u00c2\u00a0I ama proponent for trying to hold back on tax increases by finding new revenue sources, such as by the new alternative financed DOE buildings. \u00c2\u00a0We’re trying to become more efficient.<\/p>\n Q) What are your plans for the waterfront, and have we asked for input from our rowing customers?<\/p>\n Miller: The city has been involved with rowing, and have an ongoing good relationship with the rowing community. \u00c2\u00a0I’m not sure if we can measure the return on investment, but it’s a quality of life issue, and I don’t want to see it go away.<\/p>\n Q) How do you feel about fees, tolls, wheel tax on non-resident workers?<\/p>\n McBride: Memphis has struggled with this, having the highest property tax rate in the state. \u00c2\u00a0I don’t favor that kind of option, because we might damage the relationship with those kinds of tactics. \u00c2\u00a0I prefer a congressional investment, due to the service we provide for the nation.<\/p>\n Q) Should Oak Ridge focus on manufacturing business on the west end, being closest to the interstate?<\/p>\n Hasbrouck: We need to focus on business everywhere in the city.<\/p>\n Q) What steps will you take to improve housing, through incentives to homeowners?<\/p>\n Groff: There are several programs at the lab that deal directly with residential energy efficiency. \u00c2\u00a0Unfortunately, none of those are in Oak Ridge. \u00c2\u00a0Why not?<\/p>\n Q) Should the City use eminent domain to acquire the Alexander Inn for renovation?<\/p>\n Garland: I don’t really know the parameters. \u00c2\u00a0I would reserve eminent domain for only the most critical community projects. \u00c2\u00a0Taking property is pretty un-American. \u00c2\u00a0We should have codes to prevent property owners from allowing their property to deteriorate. \u00c2\u00a0We can condemn, but we cannot just take.<\/p>\n Q) How will you ensure that a developer who commits to a major project, will follow through and complete the project?<\/p>\n Bouchard: I would carefully consider the project at the outset, before it is started. \u00c2\u00a0Follow through should be ensured before the developer begins.<\/p>\n Q) How can we encourage more business on Illinois, and keep Woodland homeowners happy?<\/p>\n Beehan: I don’t know. \u00c2\u00a0We did a corridor study which now establishes guidelines as to how far you can go into a neighborhood, so now developers know what they can do, and homeowners know what they can do. \u00c2\u00a0We’ve done good studies on the marina, and on sustainability; we could build consensus on other subjects as well.<\/p>\n Q) Is there too much cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce?<\/p>\n Turner: Since we have a contract, the relationship really should be client-customer. \u00c2\u00a0But it needs to be more than that; it should be cooperative. \u00c2\u00a0The Chamber does what it is called to do in its contract. \u00c2\u00a0The relocation specialist is a tremendous opportunity. \u00c2\u00a0The City could listen more to the chamber, particularly in removing the obstacles to new businesses coming in.<\/p>\n Q) What do you recommend to change the image of becoming old, to becoming younger and more vibrant.<\/p>\n Tobler: promote the lake and the schools. \u00c2\u00a0bring people from Knoxville to events in Oak Ridge — concerts, etc. \u00c2\u00a0We need to create places for people to have fun.<\/p>\n Q) If you could only accomplish one thing, what would it be?<\/p>\n Mosby: I would like to see the community figure out that it is a special place, and develop into something that is attractive, so it’s not hard to entice people and businesses to come here.<\/p>\n Q) Do you support capping property taxes for seniors, based upon economic need?<\/p>\n Miller: I think we need to study that, and we need to do that.<\/p>\n Q) What action plan to you have for a serious effort to develop the Oak Ridge Mall?<\/p>\n McBride: The mall occupies a very central place in our city. \u00c2\u00a0No meaningful progress has occurred in the last 7 years. \u00c2\u00a0We need to take initiative on the mall covenants; Wal-Mart has an incredible amount of influence over the rest of the property. \u00c2\u00a0We need to approach Wal-Mart and ask for a break on the restrictions.<\/p>\n Q) How can a city like Maryville\/Alcoa have extensive retail, when Oak Ridge doesn’t?<\/p>\n Hasbrouck: I don’t know. \u00c2\u00a0There is opportunity in this city. \u00c2\u00a0All of the anchors have stipulations in place at the mall; maybe that’s where we need to consider eminent domain.<\/p>\n Q) Where do the schools fall in your budget priorities?<\/p>\n Groff: I have two kids in school. \u00c2\u00a0Education is #1 priority. \u00c2\u00a0We have to focus on increasing education. \u00c2\u00a0I’d like to see the vo-tech programs come back.<\/p>\n Q) What would you do to help the older retail centers?<\/p>\n Garland: We need to make adjustments to our sign ordinances, with signs on the turnpike for these business areas, directing traffic to these off-turnpike shopping centers. \u00c2\u00a0Advocates forming a “small business” chamber of commerce, to strengthen their influence.<\/p>\n Q) What are your suggestions for older housing?<\/p>\n Bouchard: I am a proponent for reinforcing our residential neighborhoods. \u00c2\u00a0We could extend incentives to homeowners to improve their buildings; the City could do something with the properties that have fallen under par. \u00c2\u00a0The City could revise one portion of the city to like-new 1940s condition. \u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n Q) What would you propose to reduce crime in Oak Ridge?<\/p>\n Beehan: I would call a meeting of the police chief, sheriff, and district attorney, to establish cooperation and run the drug dealers out of town. \u00c2\u00a0We need to bring on the five new police officers. \u00c2\u00a0The neighborhood watch program is very successful, and I’m very proud of them. \u00c2\u00a0It’s incredible the things that are happening.<\/p>\n Q) When consensus cannot be achieved, how to proceed?<\/p>\n Turner: on Council, the majority wins. \u00c2\u00a0That doesn’t necessarily work with the citizens. \u00c2\u00a0But at some point, you have to lead — vote your vision.<\/p>\n Tobler: you’re never going to make everybody happy, so you have to make the best decision for the city.<\/p>\n Mosby: A lot of times, we bail out before consensus can be reached.<\/p>\n Miller: Just the people at the microphone doesn’t necessarily represent the majority — phone callls and e-mails also factor in.<\/p>\n McBride: the high school project was the best example of building consensus. \u00c2\u00a0The more that Council can do that, the more successful we’re going to be.<\/p>\n Hasbrouck: Consensus is a difficult thing among seven people, much less 27,000. \u00c2\u00a0That said, more surveys would be a useful thing.<\/p>\n Groff: Dissent gives you the opportunity to explore the reasons for differing opinions. \u00c2\u00a0You want everyone to walk away feeling like they got a good deal.<\/p>\n Garland: I don’t think the citizens expect consensus, but they expect an opportunity to be heard and considered.<\/p>\n Bouchard: Communication goes hand-in-hand with consensus.<\/p>\n Beehan: Consensus is good and I wish we could do it on every issue, but that’s not possible. \u00c2\u00a0We do get a lot of communication, especially via e-mail. \u00c2\u00a0There are issues where we do need to communicate better. \u00c2\u00a0Ultimately, our job is to make the best decision we can based on the information we have. \u00c2\u00a0It’s like sausage — you like the end product, but making it is not pretty.<\/p>\n The forum will air on BBB (channel 12). \u00c2\u00a0Air times will be posted on www.bbbtv12.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The format of tonight’s forum will be that each question will be answered by two candidates, then they’ll go on to the next question, and next two candidates answering. \u00c2\u00a0With ten candidates in the running, it should be answering. Tom … Continue reading