Thu
Jan 28 2016
07:23 pm

Present: Evelyn Gill, JohnFugate, Michelle Carringer, Brad Anderson, Jeff Ownby, John Ashley, Rick Staples. Hugh Nystrom (arrived late),Janet Testerman.

...more to come

School Funding / Tax Increase?
Staples- build tax base by recruiting businesses. I see CC increasing rate under next mayor.
Gill- BEP formula needs to be fixed. Vouchers will subtract from school budgets too
Ashley- tax increase likely in next 4, although philisophically opposed
Tester man- schools need resources, we need good teachers, opposed to higher taxes (danced around question without answering)(
Ownby-agree BEP needs revision, tax increase is coming
Fighters- opposes tax increase, need study for waste. Prefers sales tax (regressive) to property tax (progressive)
Anders- we've had growth but not by us. We need increase for more than just schools.
Carringer- more biz!

Would you support resolution voiding same sex marriage or roll back HR benefit policies?
Gill- no
Ashley- no
Testerman- dodged question again
Ownby-we shouldn't legislate morality
Fugate- CC should ignore
Anders- decided by Supreme Court, divisive issue
Carringer- not a commission issue
Staples- same

Diversity of Board Appointments? How to improve?
Ashley- people deserve a say (???)
Testerman- boards should be representative, agree diversity important
Ownby- agree, but I look for best candidate, has appointed 3 of 5 women
Fugate- same
Anders- nominated my ex opponent to library cause I thought she'd be great
Carringer- would base on qualifications
Staples- should reflect community
Gill- need better cross section

Roads/Taxes-
Testerman- need a long term plan, taxes are a reality
Ownby- agreed, we are behind schedule- city, county, and state, we've done a lot of paving last few years
Fugate- support increased gas tax for roads
Anders- we have 2000 miles outside city, we paved 20 last year. State needs to fix system
Carringer- need to study in depth
Staples- district 1 in city
Gill- roads and schools and security! Taxes worth investment
Ashley- scheduled to do 80 miles this year, so it's improving

Commission approved schools in face of lawsuit, support more schools for inner city?
Ownby- we funded pond gap, money got used elsewhere. We need to build where we need them. Next tax increase could include earmarks for school construction. Too many band aids.
Fugate- I agree with commission on Gibbs and Hardin valley schools
Anders- we've tried to fix up many other schools, but they will need to be replaced
Carringer- yes, support
Staples- Dist 1 lost most of our schools, need fix up remaining schools
Gill- district 1 needs investment in schools and infrastucture
Ashley- update schools
Testerman- no middle school in 4th district, every district deserves good schools / facilities.

City passed sign ordinance- similar in County?
Fugue- no
Anders- set standards for new things, but don't go as far as city
Carringer- I'd have to study
Staples- need conversation with businesses and neighborhood groups
Gill- rules with flexibility
Ashley- case by case.
Testerman- City rule to strict, some places it might be reasonable
Ownby-willing to look at minor restrictions

Hugh Nystrom joins at 7:21pm

New 911 System? How to resolve?
Anders- process will restart soon, do it slow and right
Carringer- get the right system
Nystrom-stakeholders and experts involved
Staples- need highest quality system
Gill- Same
Ashley-same
Testerman- important in time of crisis, no glitches
Ownby- slow it down, do it right. No dead spots. Connected to city and state.
Fugate- will leave it to the experts

How to balance / use increase hotel/ motel taxes? More to arts groups or more to marketing?
Carringer- more to arts groups
Nystrom- marketing
Staples- balanced
Gill-arts to enrich our community and culture
Ashley-balanced
Testerman-balanced
Ownby- arts
Fugate- balance, develop attractions east side of county
Anders- arts and attractions

Libraries: use Nashville model of library/school cooperation? Improving funding
Nystrom- would ask library, need to get more kids in
Staples-yes, cooperative relationships work, but in District 1 we can't walk to library, we need one in Lonsdale
Gill- yes, can be more
Ashley-yes, and follow technology
Testerman-we can look at if it works for Nashville. All districts need good libraries.
Ownby-same
Fugate- libraries important, get these kids reading!
Anders-I'm become very impressed with our libraries, st one supporter.
Carringer- yes, libraries need support.

My notes as an observer: most knowledgable? Obviously Ownby and Anders as sitting commissioners, but Rick Staples really stood out as being able to elaborate and expound on topics. Evelyn Gill also, but not on every topic like Rick was.

Testerman and Carringer seemed on the opposite end of the spectrum of awareness and preparedness. Perhaps Testerman doesn't want to offend anyone and plans to just stand on her name recognition.

If you like government small enough to drown in the bathtub, Fugate is your guy. I don't see him as a person to move the County forward, IMHO.

...

R. Neal's picture

Is Marleen Davis there?

Is Marleen Davis there?

reform4's picture

Yes

But unopposed candidates not on forum.

michael kaplan's picture

Didn't Nystrom have anything

Didn't Nystrom have anything to say?

reform4's picture

Late

He came in 50 minutes in.

Ben Murphy's picture

Excellent summary

I'm sitting 5 feet from your blogging. I appreciate that you're saving me from writing so many notes! Thanks for the good work.

Knoxgal's picture

Fugate

IMHO, Fugate is one scary dude

Mike Knapp's picture

Thanks reform4

Great stuff

R. Neal's picture

Great report. Thanks!

Great report. Thanks!

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