VW has opened the entire southeastern Tennessee / northwestern Georgia region up to more development.
Some growth models suggest a population increase from 800,000 to 1 million.
Developers are already making inquires about Rossville.
We must have a forward looking perspective and we must be prepared.
Here are my priorities for addressing this explosive growth ----
a. Plan for quality growth. Be forward thinking.
b. Keep the current Rossville Downtown Development Authority in place. Work to secure a revenue stream for the DDA.
c. Continue to use and update technology assets in the recruiting of businesses and organizations.
d. Focus on current businesses while reaching out to recruit new businesses from the technology sector.
e. Continue to work closely with the economic development department of the Walker County Government.
f. Continue to work closely with our elected state officials.
Some growth models suggest a population increase from 800,000 to 1 million.
Developers are already making inquires about Rossville.
We must have a forward looking perspective and we must be prepared.
Here are my priorities for addressing this explosive growth ----
a. Plan for quality growth. Be forward thinking.
b. Keep the current Rossville Downtown Development Authority in place. Work to secure a revenue stream for the DDA.
c. Continue to use and update technology assets in the recruiting of businesses and organizations.
d. Focus on current businesses while reaching out to recruit new businesses from the technology sector.
e. Continue to work closely with the economic development department of the Walker County Government.
f. Continue to work closely with our elected state officials.
| dd |
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1. Eliminate the Water Administration Fee.
Even though I did not support or vote for this fee, I was able to negotiate
the final fee from $8 to $6.50. The current economic climate
prevents the elimination of the fee at this time but when the opportunity arises
my vision is to see this fee gradually lowered and removed from our water bills.
2. Lower Property Taxes:
City property taxes have NOT increased in the last eight years.
The former Governor ended a property tax relief grant which was applied
to property tax bills. Removing this grant has caused a huge increased
in property taxes. This action is not connected to the city. I disapproved of this
action by the former Governor and Legislators. Economic hard times is not
the time to increase taxes.
Lowering the millage rate when opportunities come along will be one of my priorities.
3. Making McFarland Avenue a State Highway.
Due to increased traffic, because of the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass,
McFarland Avenue needs to be widened to four lanes and become a
business spur of Georgia Highway 2. To achieve this goal, McFarland
Avenue must become a state road. I have worked for the last eight years to
see this happen, and I am not going to give up.
To reach our objectives concerning McFarland Avenue we
are pursuing the following in order.
a. Designation as a State Highway : This would insure future maintenance
of the road. We are working with elected state officials on a state highway designation.
b. Widening of McFarland Avenue : This would spur economic
development, which is already underway, along this corridor. Widening
McFarland Avenue is in the 2030 long range transportation plan.
All of our goals concerning McFarland Avenue are complicated because of the structure of the Georgia Department of
Transportation. GDOT receives very little money from the Georgia Legislature. GDOT is funded by the Motor Fuel Sales Tax.
Because GDOT's budget is not controlled by the legislature it is not influenced by the political process. This structure for GDOT
is a very good thing, it keeps politics out of the road building process. This also makes our goal much harder to accomplish, but
we will continue to work with our state officials toward a state road designation.
4. RDDA / Urban Renewal / 21st Century Industrial Complex
A new century requires not only new ideas, but also a solid foundation to build upon. The Rossville Downtown Development
Authority has been revived and I serve on the authority as a board member. The members of the revived RDDA participated in a
special course on downtown development. This course focused RDDA on finding a solution to the current state of downtown.
The current goal of RDDA is to formulate a master plan for the downtown area. Federal and State funding will not be available
without a master plan.
Peerless Complex:
The Peerless complex is currently being managed by a trustee of the Bankruptcy Court. We have been informed that the trustee
is vigorously marketing the property. I understand there are many interested parties looking at the complex.
5. Repair Rossville's Costly Sewers:
Storm water infiltration is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars a year. Fixing our sewers is a top priority. I feel assured that if
funds become available at the state level, our current representatives will do all they can to secure partial or complete funding for
this project. The public works department is aggressively tracking down storm water infiltration. The city has recently purchased
a sewer camera using SPLOST funds. This camera aids in finding infiltration spots that need repaired. A definite step in the right
direction.
6. Volunteer Firemen
Rossville once had a very large group of volunteer firemen. My vision is to support policies that will encourage the rebuilding of
this group of volunteers. I support and applaud the services these men and women provide for our city.
7. Grants for Technology
The police department needs laptop computers in their vehicles. They would be able to do paper work without having to go to the
police station. A grant has been secured for this need. We need to continue to seek grants and be forward thinking with
technology and implement new applications as they become economically feasible.
8. Explore Widening Hogan Road / US Highway 27 Relocation:
I would like to see an economic impact study on the widening of Hogan Road / Park City Road from Chickamauga Avenue to GA
Hwy. 2. I strongly believe due to the park by-pass, this corridor would provide growth for our City. The ideal solution would be to
relocate US 27 from the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass & GA Highway 2 interchange up a widened Hogan Road to
Chickamauga Avenue in Rossville.
9. Update our City Charter & Zoning Codes:
Our City Charter and zoning codes need to be studied and rewritten to address the 21st Century.
10. Support our Library:
I support our Library as a reservoir of knowledge and a place of learning. I am dedicated to working with state officials to improve
our library.
11. Cut Taxes for our Senior Citizens:
Our Senior Citizens need a tax break. If we continue to attract new business and grow our community, tax relief for Senior
Citizens will be possible.
12. Stop the Rossville By-Pass Project if this project moves forward
Rossville had no input on this proposal.
For a project of this magnitude to be suggested without the input of Rossville citizens and leaders is appalling.
Here is what we know.
The state has put a new frame work in place to fund transportation needs. Regional Transportation Commissions were formed
to propose transportation projects. These projects would be funded by a T-SPLOST. Citizens would vote on a 1cent sales tax to
fund these transportation projects. These RTC's are made up of about ten counties. Each county is represented by a county
commissioner and one mayor.
Here is what I have been able to piece together.
A proposed road would go from the Central Avenue / I-24 interchange in Chattanooga Tennessee to Georgia State Highway 2.
What we don't know.
How serious is this project?
Is this proposal part of a wish list yet to be submitted to the RTC?
Is this proposal going to be on the ballot as part of the T-SPLOST projects?
My Proposal
A. Four lane McFarland Avenue to Georgia State Highway 2
B. Four lane Hogan / Park City roads to Georgia Highway 2 and the U.S. Highway 27 interchange in Dewberry.
Update
Tennessee is resistant to this project. We will continue to monitor this proposal.
12. Accept Credit Cards.
Paying property taxes, fines, fees, permits, and business licenses should be simplified by the acceptance of credit cards.
Even though I did not support or vote for this fee, I was able to negotiate
the final fee from $8 to $6.50. The current economic climate
prevents the elimination of the fee at this time but when the opportunity arises
my vision is to see this fee gradually lowered and removed from our water bills.
2. Lower Property Taxes:
City property taxes have NOT increased in the last eight years.
The former Governor ended a property tax relief grant which was applied
to property tax bills. Removing this grant has caused a huge increased
in property taxes. This action is not connected to the city. I disapproved of this
action by the former Governor and Legislators. Economic hard times is not
the time to increase taxes.
Lowering the millage rate when opportunities come along will be one of my priorities.
3. Making McFarland Avenue a State Highway.
Due to increased traffic, because of the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass,
McFarland Avenue needs to be widened to four lanes and become a
business spur of Georgia Highway 2. To achieve this goal, McFarland
Avenue must become a state road. I have worked for the last eight years to
see this happen, and I am not going to give up.
To reach our objectives concerning McFarland Avenue we
are pursuing the following in order.
a. Designation as a State Highway : This would insure future maintenance
of the road. We are working with elected state officials on a state highway designation.
b. Widening of McFarland Avenue : This would spur economic
development, which is already underway, along this corridor. Widening
McFarland Avenue is in the 2030 long range transportation plan.
All of our goals concerning McFarland Avenue are complicated because of the structure of the Georgia Department of
Transportation. GDOT receives very little money from the Georgia Legislature. GDOT is funded by the Motor Fuel Sales Tax.
Because GDOT's budget is not controlled by the legislature it is not influenced by the political process. This structure for GDOT
is a very good thing, it keeps politics out of the road building process. This also makes our goal much harder to accomplish, but
we will continue to work with our state officials toward a state road designation.
4. RDDA / Urban Renewal / 21st Century Industrial Complex
A new century requires not only new ideas, but also a solid foundation to build upon. The Rossville Downtown Development
Authority has been revived and I serve on the authority as a board member. The members of the revived RDDA participated in a
special course on downtown development. This course focused RDDA on finding a solution to the current state of downtown.
The current goal of RDDA is to formulate a master plan for the downtown area. Federal and State funding will not be available
without a master plan.
Peerless Complex:
The Peerless complex is currently being managed by a trustee of the Bankruptcy Court. We have been informed that the trustee
is vigorously marketing the property. I understand there are many interested parties looking at the complex.
5. Repair Rossville's Costly Sewers:
Storm water infiltration is costing taxpayers thousands of dollars a year. Fixing our sewers is a top priority. I feel assured that if
funds become available at the state level, our current representatives will do all they can to secure partial or complete funding for
this project. The public works department is aggressively tracking down storm water infiltration. The city has recently purchased
a sewer camera using SPLOST funds. This camera aids in finding infiltration spots that need repaired. A definite step in the right
direction.
6. Volunteer Firemen
Rossville once had a very large group of volunteer firemen. My vision is to support policies that will encourage the rebuilding of
this group of volunteers. I support and applaud the services these men and women provide for our city.
7. Grants for Technology
The police department needs laptop computers in their vehicles. They would be able to do paper work without having to go to the
police station. A grant has been secured for this need. We need to continue to seek grants and be forward thinking with
technology and implement new applications as they become economically feasible.
8. Explore Widening Hogan Road / US Highway 27 Relocation:
I would like to see an economic impact study on the widening of Hogan Road / Park City Road from Chickamauga Avenue to GA
Hwy. 2. I strongly believe due to the park by-pass, this corridor would provide growth for our City. The ideal solution would be to
relocate US 27 from the Frank Gleason Parkway By-Pass & GA Highway 2 interchange up a widened Hogan Road to
Chickamauga Avenue in Rossville.
9. Update our City Charter & Zoning Codes:
Our City Charter and zoning codes need to be studied and rewritten to address the 21st Century.
10. Support our Library:
I support our Library as a reservoir of knowledge and a place of learning. I am dedicated to working with state officials to improve
our library.
11. Cut Taxes for our Senior Citizens:
Our Senior Citizens need a tax break. If we continue to attract new business and grow our community, tax relief for Senior
Citizens will be possible.
12. Stop the Rossville By-Pass Project if this project moves forward
Rossville had no input on this proposal.
For a project of this magnitude to be suggested without the input of Rossville citizens and leaders is appalling.
Here is what we know.
The state has put a new frame work in place to fund transportation needs. Regional Transportation Commissions were formed
to propose transportation projects. These projects would be funded by a T-SPLOST. Citizens would vote on a 1cent sales tax to
fund these transportation projects. These RTC's are made up of about ten counties. Each county is represented by a county
commissioner and one mayor.
Here is what I have been able to piece together.
A proposed road would go from the Central Avenue / I-24 interchange in Chattanooga Tennessee to Georgia State Highway 2.
What we don't know.
How serious is this project?
Is this proposal part of a wish list yet to be submitted to the RTC?
Is this proposal going to be on the ballot as part of the T-SPLOST projects?
My Proposal
A. Four lane McFarland Avenue to Georgia State Highway 2
B. Four lane Hogan / Park City roads to Georgia Highway 2 and the U.S. Highway 27 interchange in Dewberry.
Update
Tennessee is resistant to this project. We will continue to monitor this proposal.
12. Accept Credit Cards.
Paying property taxes, fines, fees, permits, and business licenses should be simplified by the acceptance of credit cards.
Peerless Complex.
Possible 21st Century Industrial Complex.
The tax assessment on the Peerless Complex was lowered from 5.6 million to 2.9 million. This will result in about
$15,000 less property taxes. The long term potential for this property is phenomenal. I believe that if this property is
re-developed as a 21st century industrial park, we will be able to lower property taxes substantially.
Standard Coosa Thatcher.
County / City Industrial Park
The county has sold the Standard Coosa Thatcher property. This will put about $5,000 a year in property taxes back on
to the tax rolls.
Wachovia Building.
Has been sold and will become the corporate headquarter of Western Electric.
All of our efforts to re-develop, revitalize, and renew our City takes the cooperation of residences, landowners, and
business owners. This can be a challenging job. The city currently has landowners who choose not to cooperate with any
government agencies. I firmly believe in private property rights and when individuals choose not to participate in
planning strategies to maximize the value of their properties that is their right.
Possible 21st Century Industrial Complex.
The tax assessment on the Peerless Complex was lowered from 5.6 million to 2.9 million. This will result in about
$15,000 less property taxes. The long term potential for this property is phenomenal. I believe that if this property is
re-developed as a 21st century industrial park, we will be able to lower property taxes substantially.
Standard Coosa Thatcher.
County / City Industrial Park
The county has sold the Standard Coosa Thatcher property. This will put about $5,000 a year in property taxes back on
to the tax rolls.
Wachovia Building.
Has been sold and will become the corporate headquarter of Western Electric.
All of our efforts to re-develop, revitalize, and renew our City takes the cooperation of residences, landowners, and
business owners. This can be a challenging job. The city currently has landowners who choose not to cooperate with any
government agencies. I firmly believe in private property rights and when individuals choose not to participate in
planning strategies to maximize the value of their properties that is their right.
| dd |
My vision for the City of Rossville.
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We Can Continue to Move Forward in the 21st Century
| sss |
I ask for your vote for Mayor on November 8th 2011
Revised 10/19/2011
Moving Forward and Being Prepared
A New Century. A New Vision.
Conservative Values and Principles
A New Direction.
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
