To the Editor:
This year, your vote can make a real difference to the Oak Ridge City Council. We need leaders like Chuck Hope, Charlie Hensley, and Trina Baughn on the Council.
Oak Ridge is a beautiful place to live and work. Yet, unfortunately, the city’s economy struggles with non-competitive tax and utility rates.
For years, surrounding communities have enjoyed much lower property tax rates than Oak Ridge. This year for the first time, Oak Ridge utility rates have also reached the point that they are non-competitive.
To get the city’s economy rolling, even the addition of a new Kroger Marketplace will likely prove insufficient. What’s needed is a Council focus on bottom-line results. What’s also needed is a sense of Council urgency and involvement. If elected, Mr. Hope, Mr. Hensley, and Ms. Baughn can provide this.
The current Council lacks a total-cost estimate for the expensive EPA sewer mandate. That mandate was received two years ago. In the meantime, the Council imposed major rate hikes and spent large sums of money—without understanding (let alone controlling) the overall cost.
As of the last City Council meeting, the city had not yet discussed a sewer-rate increase with the U.S. Department of Energy. Businesses and residents had their sewer rates hiked six months ago. Another major rate hike (for businesses and residents) is scheduled to occur at the first of the year. And without substantive Council action, more rate hikes are on the way.
What does this say about current Council priorities? Far too much time is spent debating minutiae, while large matters languish for lack of Council attention. The Council seems to assign issues to the city staff and then walk away.
Chuck Hope is a small business owner who recognizes the importance of economic competitiveness. He is working with city staff to generate periodic reports on cost, scope, and schedule changes in the EPA project. When implemented, these reports will help the Council get in front of this important matter. His leadership and insight can help the city find a new and much more productive path forward.
Charlie Hensley has lobbied tirelessly for action on the EPA issue and for a more reasonable DOE cost-sharing arrangement. These steps could save millions of dollars—if the Council can be persuaded to act. He has also taken important initiatives in a number of other city areas.
Trina Baughn’s focus on city efficiency can help Oak Ridge afford to preserve its great city services—including its wonderful schools. She has a very keen appreciation of the economic challenge posed by the city’s current non-competitive position.
Together, these three—Chuck Hope, Charlie Hensley, and Trina Baughn—can open new and productive avenues for our city. I hope you will join me in supporting them.
Martin McBride
Oak Ridge
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