Parker Hardy
By Parker Hardy
Note: This is a response to a July 9 column by Oak Ridge City Council member Trina Baughn.
Let me begin by expressing my dismay at the continued war of words fueled by “guest columns” such as Ms. Baughn’s. The practice can be divisive, driving wedges of conflict into community unity that is crucial to Oak Ridge’s future. At worst, it can be destructive, damaging the morale and reputations of volunteers, elected and appointed officials, professional staff, local organizations, and community institutions engaged in moving our city in positive directions. I am concerned that it also may discourage residential and business prospects that are considering locating in our city.
The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a voice for business concerns, and it is sad that a public official thinks there’s something wrong with such a traditional role and such a fundamental right. In our almost 70 years of existence, we have built a broad membership base, most of which are small businesses. We are proud that our diverse membership ranges from local “mom-and-pop” companies, to respected professionals, to major corporations in the community and the region. In fact, if your readers will visit our online membership directory, perhaps they will recognize and support the hundreds of companies, individuals, and organizations that are investing in Oak Ridge through support for chamber initiatives. Yes, we count not-for-profits, government contractors, and out-of-town companies among our members. I believe they deserve praise, not punishment, for supporting our mission to enhance Oak Ridge’s economic vitality and business climate, and to provide business, leadership, and advocacy opportunities for our members.
If we are known by the company we keep, then I am proud when the Oak Ridge Chamber is known for the members that keep company with us.
Given that the Oak Ridge Chamber is older than the incorporated city itself, it is not surprising that we have weighed in on city revenue and spending on plenty of occasions. The yardstick on our support or opposition is not necessarily tax rates, though. The real test is whether or not new revenue is warranted for items important for a strong community—top-flight public schools, needed infrastructure improvements, and the city services that residents, consumers, and businesses expect in today’s America. This year, we are strongly encouraging the Oak Ridge City Council—after carefully reviewing the proposed budget for both economies and efficiencies to prioritize spending around three straightforward but very critical areas:
- Oak Ridge needs to develop and fund a prioritized capital improvement plan for infrastructure such as city and school buildings, streets, and utilities.
- We need to fund pay increases for Oak Ridge School teachers and staff and City of Oak Ridge employees.
- We should invest in waterfront improvements because they are important to our quality of life and because substantial state matching funds are on the table.
The chamber has encouraged our members to communicate those priorities to the City Council in order to position Oak Ridge as a community of choice for new and expanding businesses and for new residents. These are investments in our city, our citizens, and our future. After that budget review, if a tax increase is needed, then so be it. Cheaper is not always better.
Finally, I am saddened that Councilwoman Baughn still mistakenly maintains that the chamber will benefit from any tax increase. It has been made very clear on multiple occasions that city economic development funding to the chamber is transferred to a corporation that is a partnership with the city. City funds are not used for chamber operating expenses—no chamber wages or salaries, no overhead, etc. These funds only may be used for costs such as business recruiting expenses, site studies, demographic data gathering and analyses, printing or publishing, and other expenses specific to economic development functions. As the chamber’s share of that partnership, we have been providing—at chamber expense—the professional staff that leads retail and commercial recruitment and that assists existing industry with expansion opportunities. On top of that, we have provided administrative support for one of the city’s paid economic development consultants.
The City of Oak Ridge does not subsidize the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. The truth is this: Because of chamber assets assigned to economic development functions, the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce actually subsidizes the city’s economic development program, not the other way around.
Parker Hardy is president and chief executive officer of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Copyright 2015 Oak Ridge Today. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Gary Love says
With all due respesct Mr Hardy, what have you done for the City of Oak Ridge lately? You sound like a snake oil salesman that keeps harping a product that no one seems to be able to to buy. I left this city right out of high school and when I returned my downtown playground was abandoned but nothing else had changed. Oh yes, we do have a bigger school building, but where is the business and industry that you proclaim that your group has promoted? Anywhere, other than the Illinoise Ave business corridor you will find empty buildings and commercial rental space vacated.
I worked and lived in Chattanooga Tennessee for 28 years and I watched a city that was rarely considered a good place to live become a destination for high tech industry, commercial business, retail and a place where familys came for a vacation destination. In Oak Ridge we are having our visitors park on the side of a 2 lane highway, and these people go home to tell all their friends what hosts we are. We must do better, but it wont happen until we begin to adopt a reputation of progress.
For our city to thrive we must have a diversified economy. That means beating the curve on DOE’s divestment from us, by enticing new and different industry and promoting small business through tax incentives. It also means having a proper infrastructure of reliable electric power and communications. Once that is done many of the issues we cant seem to solve will take care of themselves.
We cannot sit by and hope that something good happens, we must create those opportunities ourselves, and we cant do that if we sit around bickering over things that do not matter.
Your group has made some very good points about moving this city forward, so please keep us posted on what your doing to make those things happen.
Mark Caldwell says
Gary,
Did you read the same opinion piece that I read? Mr. Hardy states that the Chamber has encouraged the city to develop and fund an infrastructure improvement plan, provide raises
for our city’s employees, and develop our waterfront. Alas, the Chamber cannot do this; only the city council can with the help of the citizens.
You continue to see empty buildings; I see buildings starting to be repurposed and new buildings constructed. I refuse to be a “glass half empty” citizen as others are. I’m in agreement with those who want us to spend our money wisely. Personally, I don’t know anyone that doesn’t. But I cannot for
the life of me understand how some people think they can maintain what they receive without paying for them.
What I’d like to know from city staff is how I can help Oak Ridge receive state grants to improve our waterfront. I’m a state taxpayer; I’d like some of my money returned to Oak Ridge. But it’s not going to happen unless we have a plan and we’re committed to paying our share.
Joseph Lee says
Mark,
Well said.
Thank you.
Gary Love says
Mark,
You make valid points, but anything with the riverfront will need to start with TVA. I have my own ideas of how to make it the jewel of the south which I believe it could be
Joseph Lee says
Mr. Love, Snakoil salesman? Really?
Chattanooga revived itself by people pulling together in the same direction and not being absorbed by hopelessness and negativity. Oak Ridge is on the move with more improvements on the way and they will come sooner if we are committed to working together. When we have an elected official like Ms. Baughn and unelected individuals like yourself talking down our city it makes the task at hand more difficult. The “empty buildings and commercial rental space” are on private property. Please make a note of it.
Thank you.
Gary Love says
Thanks Joseph, now tell us all in a quantifiable way what Mr Parker has done for this community? As a matter of fact what are you doing?
Joseph Lee says
Parker can take care of himself.
I am investing in this city and pushing back against those that are not.
Enjoy your weekend. Thanks again.
Gary Love says
Joeseph, at least I think all three of us care about whats going on so one day me, you and Mark need to exchange ideas.
Joseph Lee says
I’ll second that.
Thank you.
Gary Love says
I was introduced to a community of visionaries in 1989. Their purpose was to develop Chattanooga and make it the thriving city it is today and their name is River City. I met with them at the riverfront of Chattanooga in the early nineties because they were going to tear down the old Kirkman High School. I agreed to do my part and when I asked them what they were going to put there in its place they told me an aquarium, well, we all know the rest of the story. I worked very closely with these committed individuals for the next 18 years. I know what I am talking about.
My question to all of the sheep….”how many building permits has OR produced in the last year, the last 5 years?
.
Mark Caldwell says
Have the “sheep” replied to your question? Oh, you’re probably referring to Oak Ridge citizens as “sheep.”
Just my opinion: bad form on your part. I’d imagine some individuals may be disappointed in your name calling and not listen to you.
Matt Bailey says
From Dale Carnegie:
Win people to your way of thinking:
The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
Show respect for the other person’s opinions. Never say, “You’re wrong.”
If you are wrong, admit it quickly and emphatically.
Begin in a friendly way.
Get the other person saying “yes, yes” immediately.
Let the other person do a great deal of the talking.
Let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers.
Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view.
Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires.
Appeal to the nobler motives.
Dramatize your ideas.
Throw down a challenge.
Mark Caldwell says
Thanks Matt. Good advice for us all.
Gary Love says
Mark, I actually think most of the citizens of Oak Ridge know whats going on. My point is that Parker Hardy can do better. Your point seems to be to belittle me because of my opinion. If you choose that route, why do you read and post here?
Matt Bailey says
Mr. Love, I try to stay out of other people’s business, and I don’t know Mark at all. But, I’m a 60 year resident of OR and I don’t “know what’s going on”. Everyone can do better. I walked into the Chamber last week and asked to speak to Mr. Hardy, in private, and he was very receptive. I didn’t choose to chastise him in public, and I’m not sure why you did. Our town could use everyone’s input, in a polite, professional manner (my opinion). To call someone a “snake oil salesman” likely taints the process from the start. My opinion is that Mr. Hardy’s putting forth a ton of effort to better OR. I certainly agree with you re: tax incentives for businesses, but there are those citizens who strongly disagree with you. I like your idea about the waterfront area. But to publicly call Mr. Hardy names, and then ask him to keep us updated on progress doesn’t seem logical to me.
Gary Love says
Matt, yes you are probably right, I could have been a bit easier with that intro, but I was responding to the bickering beween him and Mrs. Baughn. That is negative and time consuming. What I guess I would like to see is consistent growth through not only retail and commercial, but industry.
How can we market our city like other successful places. You know many of the industries that I was involved with required a substation and better yet a 2 feed line which encouraged reliable power because when one feeder went out the other feeder could be energiized.
Also, fiber optic lines for communications is always a great advantage as is truck rated roadways and sewer.
It would be a wonderful tool to approach potential new business by saying ” we have a turnkey infrastructure” of reliable power, and water with no or little cost to you.
If we can convince business to move here we must give them a reason, and today business wants to keep their operating cost minimal.
Thanks for your insights.
Matt Bailey says
I’d like to see how you replied to Ms. Baughn, who bickers with everyone! You’re 100% right, it’s time consuming. And it’s harmful to the city. Not the disagreements, but the manner in which she handles her business. It’s certainly been suggested that she has had an affect on businesses looking at Oak Ridge to locate here. I would suggest your comments might be directed towards her. You want positive thinking, speak with Mr. Hardy. You want negativity, you should know where to find that as well. The second chair from the left at City Council meetings.
Mark Caldwell says
Belittle you because you call people “sheep” or “snake oil salesman?’ I didn’t realize I had done that.
Gary Love says
Yeah you did, and your proving my point.
Thanks
Mark Caldwell says
Your welcome?
Gary Love says
Touch a nerve did I, go upstairs and get your mom to fix you some warm milk.
Mark Caldwell says
You’re quite the pistol aren’t you.