September 9th Candidate Forum
I attended the candidate forum, sponsored by the Mountain Business Association (MBA) on September 9th, 2014. The candidates were provided questions in advance. On my Signal Mountain Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/110672268965327/) I have offered to allow the candidates to submit their prepared answers for this summary. I have done my best to record the answers provided that evening. Any errors are, of course, my own. The advantage of a blog is that it allows interaction. If anyone feels I have misrepresented an answer, feel free to discuss this in the comments. I also urge anyone reading this who has a Facebook account to join our "League of Signal Mountain Voters" group (mentioned above) to discuss Signal Mountain issues. We've had some spirited discussions on this site, but they have always been civil and enlightening.
The forums started with opening statements and closing statements, which I have not included. The answers were restricted to 1 minute. Since some candidates submitted their prepared answers to me, they may not have been completed during the forum itself. Also, Dick Gee was unable to attend as he was out of town on a long-planned trip. I have offered him the opportunity to provide his answers to these questions and hope to publish those in a future blog.
So sit back with your favorite beverage and learn what our Town Council candidates have to say.
1. Do you
support preserving and protecting over two hundred acres of Signal Mountain
parkland by granting a conservation easement on these lands to the Land Trust
for Tennessee?
Allen: Yes. To prevent future development and risks we can’t see. She
likened it to seat belts or an insurance policy for our great-grandchildren.
Howley: Agrees with preservation, disagrees with process after studying it.
Stated land trusts are for private not public land and that we can’t predict
future needs. He thought there were better methods to preserve the parks
without giving up control and encumbering future councils.
Robertson: She referenced the land use plan, stated that the State Forest
could be cut down and that land along Shackleford Ridge Road is private and could
be developed.
Spalding: There are 10 reasons that this is a bad idea.
1. Any additional
restrictions using the term “protections or sharing control” with a land use
trust constitutes by definition loss
of control.
2. After three
years it is presumptuous not to allow a full three readings or a wider poll of
the 8600 residents. The full document [apparently referring to records of input from citizens provided by the
town] is only based on 18 signatures and 20 emails which are about 50-50 in
support.
3. The Parks are the Crown Jewels of Signal
Mountain. We already have adequate measures in place to protect them
4. If the town can fund
a land trust survey but not a SRO program, this is a perfect example of
misplaced priorities.
5. The fact that this
resolution is being fast tracked means they are acting out of desperation not by
fair legislation.
6. I think we can all agree no one wants to
develop these properties.
7. This could damage
future land donations
8. Future technology
that we cannot even perceive today could fund the entire town for another
hundred years without any development of the land.
9. If a clear majority of the town want it, then
it should be approved.
10. If the council knows
of an impending action to develop these parks then say so. Otherwise this
is a resolution without justification
2. The
town requires all businesses to appear before the DRC for signage approval. Do
you support this process? If not, how would you change it?
Howley: stated he was a former member of the DRC and suggested that the
DRC is overbearing and an example of business hassles in the town. He suggested
he would welcome a discussion about eliminating the DRC in favor of a variance board
for those whose signs or designs were not in compliance with town regulations.
Robertson: She stated she is the Council liaison to the DRC and read the “purpose”
of the DRC. She stated that the DRC regulates the size and height of signs and
that it has worked out well, but is not perfect. She stated that she was open
to advice from local business and that there are discussions to add an MBA
member to the DRC.
Spalding: There are too many Chefs in the DRC Kitchen. Too many opinions and
not enough support of the actual business’s effort to get a useful sign
approved.
A Sign needs three
factors,
One - a noticeable large
logo,
Two - a way of
contacting the business for information and
Three - the absolute
need to be visible by car traffic.
As the only
storefront business owner running as a candidate, I found personally the DRC is
not responsive to the needs of business. I have seen this on multiple
occasions. My new sign has provided me with 15% more business and it was like
picking eye teeth out with the DRC all the way.
I would describe it as a bluffing game process.
No one is more
knowledgeable of what a business needs than the business owner.
Remember a pretty sign
does not help if a business goes out of business. And we have had a lot of
businesses go out of business.
I feel that the
process should be streamlined with an online application
process. The MBA needs to be involved with all business signs approval
processes with a permanent MBA member on any committee resembling the DRC in
the future.
Allen: stated that we had a good sign approval process which helps
businesses by making them more appealing. She stated that the DRC pays
attention to aesthetics and scale and that it’s working well.
3. Question about attitudes towards employees
and employee retention and the recent process involved with the change in Town
Managers.
Robertson: Stated things were working well, that the town had brought
salaries up to a minimum average. She stated that the town was losing too many
police and that we need to do better with pay.
Spalding: Stated that the town needed to pay police enough for retention,
pay is currently too low. Same with the Fire Department, salaries are too low.
He recounted his background in EMS as a founding Board Member of WRES, a
paramedic and Sheriff’s Deputy.
Allen: Town is aware that we need to improve the pay scale and is doing
a study on salaries. She stated that the town council had improved benefits for
police with such items as take home vehicles. She stated that the last process
for picking a town manager (ie, Chris Dorsey) was not effective. That it was
based on numbers and was not personal or intuitive.
Howley: Visited with town officials
and stated the town has good employees and good relationships. He did feel that
retention was an issue, that he manages 2500 people and knows that turnover is
expensive. He feels we are fortunate to have our current Town Manager (Boyd
Veal) who is a longtime resident and very dedicated, but he stated that the
fact that the town has had three town managers in 4 years is disturbing and the
way Chris Dorsey was fired was embarrassing and that he would like to know what
the problem was with Chris Dorsey.
4. Do you think the Signal Mountain budget is
too fat, too skinny, or just about right?
If you don't like the current expenditures, specifically which ones
would you change and why?
Spalding: The Town of Signal Mountain budget should be apportioned to what
it takes to adequately fund all the basic town services.
We have some major
pressing issues with waste water deficits and sewers systems that do not
adequately meet that needs of all the residents on the mountain.
We are looking at $2.5
million to build, equip and staff a new fire station. We have to
replace aging equipment and build a new public works facility.
We have multiple building
maintenance issues, multiple expenses with the library, ball fields and
with improving the MACC building.
We are facing at least
10 million in basic expenditures and the town cannot just annex themselves out
of revenue problems due the new State of Tennessee law prohibiting annexation
without referendum. That means we have to get creative in finding new forms of
revenue.
I have a long background
in keeping a business running for 16 years on Signal Mountain and believe me it
is no small feat when so many go out of business on Signal.
I have a track record
starting online companies, creating successful businesses and thinking outside
the box.
We need to constantly
review the budget and have a balanced budget that is consistent with the
ability to forecast expenditures with new ways to fund them.
Allen: Thinks things are all right and sited the new improved town bond
rating. Stated there was a 6 month budget process and that the town was
fortunate to be able to fund amenities such as the MACC and sports fields, etc.
She stated that department heads were required to apply for grants.
Howley: He stated that he works with budgets on a daily basis and he
thinks the budget is about right. He reviewed the budget with the Town Manager
and that he felt the Town had good staff. He stated that 80% of the budget was
for fire and police but that there were significant costs coming in the future
including a $3 million in facility upgrades and repairs, a new fire station (on
Shackleford Ridge Rd) and unknown potential WWTA/EPA expenses for environmental
mitigation.
Robertson: Stated that the budget is ‘terrific”. She stated the town was
faced with a scary budget 8 years ago and much deferred maintenance, that most
was corrected. She sited the Vehicle Replacement Plan [Ed note: proposed by former town manager Honna Rogers] and claimed
“over a million in interest savings on school bond” [Ed note: a claim that I have yet been unable to substantiate and
seriously question]
5. What is your position on the repaving of
Signal Mountain Blvd and the future of the trolley tracks?
Allen: public meeting revealed strong support for preserving the road as
it is and that is what the council voted for.
Howley: Stated the area is historic and the town should maintain the old
look and feel. He also stated that the sidewalks are in bad shape and need
repairs. He expressed the need to support and preserve the road including the
trolley tracks.
Robertson: is happy we can finally do it and fortunate to get a grant to
cover part of costs.
Spalding: Signal Mountain is a series of micro communities but we all pay
taxes to the same government and use the same roads.
Signal Mountain is
unique due to our longstanding effort to support the traditions of our
heritage. I have talked to many residents in the immediate area of the
tracks and most near the tracks want them preserved.
Those who do not live in
the immediate area find them problematic for driving.
Currently the town has
allocated funds along with a grant to replace them. Politicians are supposed to
find a compromise when budgeting for projects and as long as money is available
or as long as primary town services are not interrupted I support the need to
maintain the roads with the tracks. I would like to see the Lion’s Club or
another volunteer agency either acquire or build a replica trolley car to be
located on the terminal end of the tracks in front of the Alexian Brothers to
give the tracks more meaning to the residents who do not live in the immediate
area of the tracks. This would help foster
the appreciation of the history of the tracks
6: What are your thoughts on the property purchased
by the town for the library?
Howley: He was at the meeting where this was decided and thought it was a
decent purchase if the town can use it, but was concerned that one council
member was obviously upset over being left out of the process. He thought this
indicated a problem with the process.
Robertson: Stated it’s a wonderful asset for the historical committee to meet
in and for storage.
Spalding: Stated he is very pro-library, but wondered about the priorities.
He stated that the town was not paying for an SRO (School Resource Officer),
and that these were misplaced priorities. He stated the town needs to consider
police, Fire and Public Works first.
Allen: Stated the house was a good purchase for the town. She wasn’t sure
about the process or why a council member felt left out. She stated “we
discussed it and voted”.
7. Where do you see the MACC in the future and
will the town play at part?
Robertson: Stated that the MACC is part of the town and has come so far. It
needs approval by the fire marshal, needs sprinklers, new heat and air and an
alarm system. She stated it needs to be self-supporting.
Spalding: The MACC is a valuable civic resource for the arts and for many
educational community endeavors.
The MACC serves as a
community meeting place for the lions club and many other groups such as this forum
tonight
Once the fire code issue
is solved, the kitchen can additionally serve the needs of the community at a
higher level. The Town of Signal Mountain has an obligation to support the MACC
facility but the town should not be running the day to day activities of the
MACC.
When Governments try to
micromanage volunteers they usually fail and it is certainly true with the town
trying to run the Hodgepodge. People will make donations to volunteer
organizations but will not always make same kind of financial donations to governmental
entities.
The Friends of the MACC
raised 57,000 dollars in donations in one year and made the Fall Hodgepodge
event profitable. The Town took over the Hodgepodge event two years
ago and failed both years to make a profit and now is trying to extricate itself
from a previously successful event.
Government can be a
stumbling block when it comes to managing volunteers. Tennessee is the Volunteer State. Volunteers
take the time to do a task because they feel they are in control but they are
less effective if they are micromanaged.
Allen: Stated MACC is a hub for the creative process and she would like
to see the town continue to support the MACC. She would like to see a new
“Friends” group.
Howley: Stated the “MACC” is both the services and the building and that
these could be considered separately. The services are important and what makes
this town special. The building will continue to be expensive, but has significant
historical value. He would ask questions about making the MACC self-supporting
and would consider creating a 501c3 organization of volunteers to manage the
MACC.
[Editor’s note: Many of you know of my
experiences with the town and the MACC Foundation and Hodgepodge. I am happy to
share with anyone interested]
8. What are your views on the relationship
between Signal Mountain, Walden and Hamilton County?
Spalding: There is a very good longstanding cooperation between the Hamilton
County Government and the Town of Walden with the Town of Signal Mountain.
The Town of Walden’s
fire department, ie Walden Ridge Emergency Services is one of many reasons our
ISO rating is so low for our homes because of a joint mutual aid agreement for
manpower and equipment.
A minimum of 15
firefighters is required to fight a working structure fire. The town
has 6 members on duty at all times and that means additional firefighters and
fire fighting pumper equipment come from WRES and even Red Bank Fire Department
to meet the town obligations.
I am a board
member of WRES and I am proud that I am one of two remaining original
incorporators who signed the Charter of Incorporation for WRES in 1976.
I am also a commissioned
reserve deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s department which provides
primary police services to Walden and provides law enforcement back up to
the Town of Signal Mountain and SMPD backs up our deputies as well.
County Commissioner Jim
Fields has a working budget that he has graciously spent in this district. Future
discussions with both governments the may help defray the cost of a SRO program
as well.
Allen: Stated there was a good working relationship with the county and
mentioned mutual aid agreements.
Howley: Stated the relationship seems fine from the outside. He stated
that relations could be better, that he is a long-time big supporter of the
schools. He stated that the loss of the SRO was an important issue for him. He
has spoken with our school board representative, Dr. Jonathan Welch and Dr.
Welch was unaware that the SRO position had been eliminated. He also stated
that he spoke with a Ken Flynn, a local TDOT representative who stated that the
town hadn’t met with him for 5 years and that there was no plan in place for
the road up the front of the mountain.
Robertson: Stated that the council met with the Commissioner of TDOT. She
stated the council met with Jonathan Welch (school board representative) about
the SRO. She stated that SMMHS was the only school without an SRO.
9. Question about whether the candidate was
prepared to attend meetings and commit the time necessary to serve:
Allen: “Yes, I am and I have been”. She likes the work with “amazing
volunteers”
Howley: Yes, he has a long history of service to the community and will
make the time. He has spoken with many citizens who feel it is important to
have representation of a very large and growing demographic which has been
lacking over the last 8 years, families with school age kids.
Robertson: Yes, stated she has only missed 2 meetings and “loves the work”.
Spalding: Yes, he’s a solo practitioner, so can arrange his schedule. He has
a long history of volunteering in the community and wants to give back to the
community.
10. How
would you support and assist the businesses on Signal Mountain?vAnd be
specific.
Howley: stated that he is a business owner. Stated that government needs
to get out of the way of business. He wants to change the culture and minimize
the morass of regulations. He stated that businesses are the second largest
source of tax revenue for the town and that the town should consider our local
businesses as customers. He stated “don’t tie up (business owner’s) time” and
that he would be very business friendly
Robertson: stated she is a business owner and member of MBA, stated ‘we don’t
have many rules or regulations once they get a sign”, She has written articles
for local businesses.
Spalding: The businesses of Signal Mountain raises more tax revenue for the
town than any other revenue source other than property taxes. Businesses should
be supported by the town in word and deed. I am the only store front
business owner running and the current ordinances simply do not support
businesses.
Non-friendly Business
issues include:
a. We are charged 50
dollars to apply for a permit process to have banners announcing any sale
items.
b. Simple window mounted
open signs cannot blink to tell you that they are open or closed.
c. If Dominoe’s pizza
sign or the pharmacy apothecary sign blew down tonight they could not be
replaced under current laws.
Three simple things
would help our business district:
* Change the sign ordinances to allow electronic
signs to advertise town events with a community electronic bulletin
board.
* Have a “business of
the week” advertised on the town website and electronic bulletin board
* Have greater involvement
of the MBA with a permanent role on the Planning Commission, the DRC and the
BZA (Board of Zoning Appeals)
Remember we have a 100
year anniversary to look forward to in 2019 and the MBA and all volunteers
groups should play a part
Allen: stated the town “shouldn’t get out of the way, but should pave the
way”, suggesting establishing a “fee based” resource center or website for
businesses similar to something Chattanooga has
11. The
businesses have asked for holiday decorations for years. Other communities surrounding us have this to
support the businesses. Why doesn't our town council do the same? Holiday decorations
are good for the holidays and help foster business sales.
Howley: He stated that it may not be a popular position, but that he felt
this should be funded by the business community rather than the town. He did
state he would support the business community in this and that the town should
provide services such as installation, etc.
Robertson: She stated that in her nearly 8 years on the Town Council she had
never heard that request. She stated that we don’t decorate the shopping center
because it is private property.
Spalding: The Holiday day train is now a project that is run by the Lions
Club that brings many Children up to Signal Mountain for all to enjoy. This
fosters good will and many businesses get most of their sales during these
times and the town directly benefits. This could be another area where the MBA
and the town can function with other volunteer groups to dress up our
town.
The Town could provide the
public works department equipment to help set decorations with volunteer
groups. Sunday on Signal can kick off the season. Other Holidays can also help
generated sales with Easter and Valentine’s Day celebrations. A Christmas
parade can help entertain and promote sales. As you know I am into holiday
lights with my train and I challenge others to give more reasons for people to
be up on the mountain to spend their time and visit businesses. Any means to
get people up on the mountain give multiple businesses an opportunity to make
sales. I support finding ways to dress up the town.
Allen: She agreed with Spalding that she likes holiday decorations,
especially snowflakes, but that we have no light poles to decorate. She would
support public-private partnerships.
12. What
is your position on the SRO (School Resource Officer) and our schools?
Allen: stated an SRO is
important, but that the county should pay for it. Mentioned that the town
manager was meeting with county officials about possibly cost-sharing. She
stated this was the only school “of our size” without an SRO [Ed. Note: a subtle change from Robertson’s
earlier statement that we had the only school without one].
Howley: He felt that the lack of an SRO was an important issue. Mentioned
that East Ridge, Red Band and another town (Ed
Note: I believe he said Soddy-Daisy) all contributed to funding an SRO for
their local schools. He felt the town had dropped the ball in stopping funding
for this position after 14 years with no plan in place find other funding. He
was surprised to find that Jonathon Welch was unaware that the position had
been cancelled. At a bare minimum, he felt that someone from the town should
have picked up the phone and talked with Dr. Welch before eliminating the
position. He stated he would use his personal relationships with county
officials to work with the county, he stated that the town’s website promotes
our SRO, even though we don’t have one. He stated this was a reason the town
needed a council member representing families with school age children in the
public schools.
Robertson: stated we don’t have an extra officer for an SRO, stated she
wouldn’t mind partially funding an SRO
Spalding: My extensive background in public safety suggests are three
primary functions of a town. Law
Enforcement, Fire Dept and Public works. IF you fail these, you fail the public
miserably.
As I speak tonight, there
is no SRO officer assigned after 14 years of continuous funding by the Town. This is unprecedented.
The current SRO quit in
April and the town council had 4 months to replace and fund a new one.
It doesn’t do any good
to be Bloomberg’s best town in America to raise a kid if our kid’s lives are
not protected during school hours. The town has let them down.
Two weeks before school
started the town tried to get a SRO funded by the county. The Sheriff said they
missed the deadline.
The town quickly found $125,000
to purchase property for future book shelves. The town website boasts we have
SRO.
We have the equipment and
vehicle to operate a trained SRO. It cost 56,000 dollars a year to fund one. That
is 28 cents per day per student.
SROs also function as mentors
and counselors to these kids.
We should be shouldn’t
be playing politics with our kids lives.
[Ed Note: additional comments provided by Dr.
Spalding]:
Many things came out of
the debate last night. I was so very
appreciative of the Mountain Business Association for asking the challenging
questions. The MBA is an untapped member of our town and they should be
included in more of our towns governmental bodies. Last night in my opinion,
the incumbents of the Town Council failed to adequately give credible answers.
Here is my comment.
First and foremost:
Getting a National
Bloomberg award for having the best place in the country to raise a child is
pure conceit when the council would rather play politics with our children’s
lives by abandoning a SRO program. The Town is suddenly trying to force the
county to hastily fund a SRO program only two weeks before school started is
unconscionable and unprecedented.
The town has
historically funded this position without interruption for 14 years in a row
without question as to funding. At the
recent meeting with the Sheriff, the county said they were too late even to
enter an officer into the two week training program that was underway and
denied their untimely request.
The former SRO quit in
April. The town had FOUR months to fund
this. However, the town did suddenly
extol funding $125,000 for an unscheduled property purchase and rush a land
trust but they could not fund a $56,000 SRO program to protect our children’s
lives. There is no better example of
more misplaced priorities of the majority voting members of our council. I would call this a gross mismanagement of
the basic functions of a town.
In my opinion, we don’t
deserve to keep that Bloomberg award and the members of the council should
return that accolade back to New York unless they immediately make a meaningful
and binding resolution that states this council will always fund or partially
fund that SRO position in the future for perpetuity.
For the majority ruling
council to suddenly decide to defund a SRO but champion unnecessary land
protection that is not in immediate peril is just one of many reasons why I am
running for town council.
13. Do
you feel the plan for a catastrophic event on Signal is in place? Do you
propose any changes to this plan?
Robertson: stated Signal Mountain falls under Hamilton County’s disaster
plan, stated that the fire chief had recently reviewed policies and that
Alexian and other businesses have a plan
Spalding: I have been in collectively involved in public safety for 41 years.
I can tell you there is no local Signal Mountain emergency plan in place for
residents to seek an approved shelter in advance of a storm or after a storm to
house town residents in a major disaster. Even if our town tells you there is a
plan in place there is no information on the website where to go, what
subdivisions are designated to be directed to which locations or where to go if
the primary structure you are assigned to is destroyed.
Hamilton County has a
general county-wide plan but no building assets are allocated with approved
generators or food supplies to take care of our residents in the event of a
major disaster on Signal.
Councilman Bill Wallace
tried to head up an emergency plan 4 years ago but was discounted by members of
the council. For a plan to work, you have to have advanced notification months
or years in advance sent by mail, emails, meetings or websites to inform the residents
where and when is a safe time to seek shelter.
Many residents will ride
out a disaster in their homes and ready.gov
can help inform you what supplies are needed for survival.
This town has a lot of
work to do in the future to protect its citizens with shelter. It is long
process and I am up to the challenge.
EXTRA
Many times you only have
less than 5 minutes of warning and putting hundreds or thousands of residents
on the road at once is catastrophic in itself.
The new fire stations
should be equipped with generators, there are two churches equipped with
generators but they are not promoted to the public officially.
Allen: Remembers when Wallace volunteered and “everyone
supported him” [Ed. Note: Wallace states he offered to help the then Town Manager and first responder
person to lend whatever expertise he could; but never heard back from anybody]. She stated there is a
problem with shelters from storms because we don’t want people to leave their
houses during a storm [Editor’s note:
she didn’t mention what might happen after a storm if houses were destroyed and
shelters were then needed]. She stated the town depends on the Red Cross
for disaster relief and that the town has an internal plan.
Howley: He stated he looked for the town’s disaster plan, but couldn’t
find it – stated that we have capable police, fire and town manager. He stated he has full confidence in them to
create and distribute a plan if there currently is not one. And that the town
needs a plan for the town locally. He used the ice storm that shut off Mountain
from County in late 90’s as example.
14. Explain how the school bond is being paid.
Spalding: Stated it is a good idea to pay down the bond early, but he wants
to know about what happens to the tax when the bond is paid off
Allen: Stated “transparency is a priority” and that when the debt was
paid off, if taxes are raised they would have to do it openly. She stated the bond
would be retired by 2018.
Howley: Stated that revenue from the school bond tax can’t be used for
anything else, while it is great that the debt is being paid down, the council
can’t take credit since they can’t do anything different with the funds. In
addition, taxes for the school bond increased because of the annexation of Fox
Run and Windtree. He felt that, for the council to take credit for “saving over
a million dollars” on the bond was either intellectual dishonest or showed a
lack of understanding since the council had no other option but to pay the tax
funds towards the bond. Don’t confuse this with the tax and revenue that was in
place prior to school bond referendum which was used to lower the bond
indebtedness [Ed note: and approved by
the previous council]. He also felt that once the bond was paid, the tax
should sunset and that town citizens should watch this carefully, especially
since property taxes were raised in 2011.
Robertson: She stated that the debt limits the town and was a burden. [Editor’s note, I couldn’t follow her
thoughts clearly on the rest of this to be honest] She mentioned that we
may not have to use the entire 30 cents of tax for the bond, I believe she may
have been referring to whether any of the tax would need to be continued after
the debt is paid off, but I was honestly unclear on her answer. [Ed. Note: I should mention that four years
ago when Robertson ran for re-election, she stated she saw no need for a tax
increase until the debt was paid off and then we would see. That following
summer she aggressively advocated for an increase in the property tax which
passed 3-2, if I recall correctly].
