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County mayor candidates talk issues at forum




Sumner County Mayoral candidates discussed the issues at a forum held at Portland City Hall on March 31. From left are Chris Taylor, John Isbell and Greg Arias.BONNIE FUSSELL

Sumner County Mayoral candidates discussed the issues at a forum held at Portland City Hall on March 31. From left are Chris Taylor, John Isbell and Greg Arias.BONNIE FUSSELL

The three Sumner County mayoral candidates addressed the issues at the County Mayor Candidate Forum at Portland City Hall on March 31.

Candidates Greg Arias, John Isbell and Chris Taylor were on hand to answer questions and state their views at the event sponsored by the Portland Chamber of Commerce and the City of Portland.

Local attorney Clark Shifflet served as moderator, and Jim Donoho was the official timekeeper at the event that was held in the council chamber at Portland City Hall.

Prior to the question-and-answer portion of the county mayor forum, other county candidates were given the opportunity to introduce themselves. Road superintendent candidates who spoke were Brock Burmeister, Toby Ellis and Richard W. Morris, Sr.

Sheriff candidates Keith Bean and Roy “Sonny” Weatherford were on hand as were four of the five candidates for General Sessions Judge Division I — Ron Blanton, Kee Bryant-McCormick, Russ Edwards, and Tyler Templeton. Bill Whalen was unable to attend but sent campaign materials.

Candidates for Sumner County Sheriff attended the Sumner County Mayor Candidate Forum in Portland on March 31. At left is incumbent Roy “Sonny” Weatherford with challenger Keith Bean on the right.BONNIE FUSSELL

Candidates for Sumner County Sheriff attended the Sumner County Mayor Candidate Forum in Portland on March 31. At left is incumbent Roy “Sonny” Weatherford with challenger Keith Bean on the right.BONNIE FUSSELL

The county mayor candidates were allowed one minute to provide their answers. Each candidate was given two minutes for opening and closing statements. The questions were asked on a rotating basis to each candidate.

“Voting is one of our most treasured rights as Americans. I was excited to bring the county candidates to Portland. It was great to see our community interested and fill the council chambers to hear what the candidates had to say. Let’s bring a record number to the polls in this primary,” Portland Chamber of Commerce president Sherri Ferguson said.

Below are five selected questions and paraphrased responses from the candidates for county mayor, as well as introduction and closing comments. A video of the entire forum is available on the Portland Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Opening Statements

Arias: In his opening statement, Arias said he got into the race late, so in order to have more time to share his message, he chose to be an Independent. He added that he was a Republican and invited people to pull his voting record to verify that. He said he was running for the future of Sumner County. He wants to see the county remain what we love. He added that he is self-financing his campaign.

Candidates for General Sessions Judge Division I who attended the Mayor Candidate Forum in Portland on March 31 were (from left) Tyler Templeton, Russ Edwards, Kee Bryant-McCormick and Ron Blanton.BONNIE FUSSELL

Candidates for General Sessions Judge Division I who attended the Mayor Candidate Forum in Portland on March 31 were (from left) Tyler Templeton, Russ Edwards, Kee Bryant-McCormick and Ron Blanton.BONNIE FUSSELL

Isbell: He said that as the Sumner County Assessor of Property, he had been innovative, a proven team builder, and a saver of taxpayer dollars. He added that he has proven that he is a taxpayer watchdog.

Taylor: Taylor told the audience that he was currently a police officer in Nashville, who began as a street officer and moved to the rank of deputy chief of police for a 2000-member organization. He said that the most important thing for the county mayor to do is to build consensus. It is important for the cities to come together. He added that is why Sumner County has been so successful, because it has been able to work with its municipalities. He said that the county’s priorities are bearing fruits today in schools, law enforcement and emergency management. He added that the long-term planning over the past eight years will benefit the county during the next decade.

Road Superintendent candidates were on hand at the Sumner County Mayor Candidate Forum in Portland on March 31. From left are Richard Morris, Toby Ellis and Brock Burmeister.BONNIE FUSSELL

Road Superintendent candidates were on hand at the Sumner County Mayor Candidate Forum in Portland on March 31. From left are Richard Morris, Toby Ellis and Brock Burmeister.BONNIE FUSSELL

Questions

Do you support economic incentives to attract new businesses in the Portland area like the TIF that was done with Tractor Supply? This may include tax increment financing or PILOT to attract new business or industries.

Isbell: He answered that he was in favor of economic development and attracting new businesses, but also added that the risk to the taxpayers must be considered with each project. He did not feel there was a blanket answer to the question, and that each individual project had to be evaluated. Isbell added that in evaluating each project, those involved should be careful so that an incentive does not hurt a competing business that already exists.

 

 

Taylor: He said the best indication for economic success is to look at past successes. He added that in keeping a county fiscally strong, it is important to look at commercial businesses and industries. He gave the example of Portland, stating that the city had 550 businesses and commercial parcels and approximately 5,000 residential parcels. He added that those 10 percent businesses and commercial parcels make up 40 percent of the tax base, keeping property taxes down. He said that Portland was doing it right.

Arias: He said that it would be necessary to look at each project individually, and if the benefit is there for every citizen, he would be for it. However, if it was a burden on taxpayers, he would be opposed.

How would you propose funding raises for county employees during a time of high inflation?

Taylor: Taylor said that he would not propose raising taxes, but would do what the county has been doing for the past eight years. He added that he has served as budget chairman for the last four years. He said the hiring of a human resources person and an internet technology person had benefited the county. He added that this enabled the county to do a smart pay study to see what other counties are paying their employees in an effort to help keep Sumner County competitive. He said the county was looking at giving a 4 percent cost-of-living raise adjustment (COLA) to keep current employees and to stay in touch with the job market.

Arias: He pointed out that the county was in a tough spot, adding that he hears from different sources that it is $330 million to $411 million in debt. He said you will have to have money to give pay raises. He said it was a tough decision, but the county must pay down debt and interest payments to give raises. He would lean on those who know how to help make this decision.

Isbell: Isbell said you must know the budgeting process. He added that EMS is the training board for other counties. He emphasized that the county must recruit the best, train them and retain them.

Do you support recovery funds to help Portland and the upper end of the county with the current regional water plan? How will you approach TDEC and our state delegation on matching the $10 million to complete this vitally needed project for the upper end of the county?

Arias: Arias stated that he would definitely support it. He said water is one of the biggest needs for the northern area of the county, if not the greatest need. You would need to meet with those who represent you. I’m not a politician, and I don’t have all the answers, but I have been talking to people around to find information and answers. He stated that he would look for answers and come up with the best solutions for the citizens.

Isbell: Like Arias, lsbell supported water for every citizen in the county. He added that he is glad the county is looking seriously at putting money toward it. According to Isbell, it has been far too long. This should have been done six to eight years ago.

Taylor: Taylor said he didn’t just support it, he did it. He stated that he went to State Senator Ferrell Haile, who offered to help with possibly $20 million more. Taylor stated they got the right people in the room, including the utility districts, and in six days came up with a regional plan. The plan had been formulated for a year and a half, but in six days it was on paper. When they went to TDEC, they got $36 million to go with the $10 million from ARA. TDEC said that Sumner County was going to be the state’s standard bearer. He added we are going to show how we do it in Sumner County.

Is the county willing to invest in amenities and upgrades to city parks and school athletics such as tennis courts, running tracks, etc.?

Arias: Arias indicated that if it comes down to parks needing the county to assist financially, he would not be against it, as long as the numbers could be worked out and without any burden on the taxpayers. He doesn’t want to see his taxes go up or others’ taxes increase. He ended his statement by saying that it comes down to the numbers being within the budget.

Isbell: Isbell said you must understand the roles in city and county government and what they have to pay their tax dollars on. He added that the responsibilities must be defined and once they are covered, other things can be addressed. He said that those in government must make sure that the tax dollars are stewarded in the best way. While he is willing to talk with cities, it is important that the cities and county maintain their roles in everything that is done. He concluded by stating that the county must be fiscally responsible in everything it does.

Taylor: Taylor stated that he had been in consensus building and partnerships for a long time and has learned how to write grants and to make use of matching funds to obtain grants. Everyone must be involved. He added that there are tons of money out there issued by the state and federal governments, but most require matching funds. Some municipalities are able to do that, but when you start multiplying that money, it can be done. He gave the example of a 90/10 grant, and said that you may have to partner to make sure you have the 10 percent matching funds. The county has helped municipalities with matching funds on many projects, such as the Gallatin and Portland airports and greenways to make sure they can happen. He added that the county is supposed to be at the forefront not the back.

What do you feel is the best way to plan for county growth?

Isbell: He indicated the county had a plan in place that had been vetted with the community. He added that it was placed on a shelf to gather dust. He stated if you have a plan in place, you should use it, so the county can grow at a pace where we can keep everything going without a tax increase. He added that any planning done and written down should be put in place. He continued that it was important that a plan be followed, not just talked about.

Taylor: He said he has been working on the planning commission for the past three years. That commission is rewriting the county regulations, which had not been done in more than 40 years. He said growth is coming and the county needs to plan for it. He added the county had hired the Greater Nashville Regional Group to assess the county’s growth, and said the county needs to secure expert advice and follow through on it.

Arias: Arias said the county needs a growth plan. He stated that he does not have all the answers, but we must work together to come up with a plan, so we can control growth in the right way.

Closing Statements

In their closing statements each candidate had two minutes to wrap-up and cover any issues not discussed.

Taylor: Taylor said it is important for government to provide services in a functional way, adding the only way to get there is through long-term planning. He said the county has a comprehensive plan that covers economics, infrastructure, schools, first responders and the tax base and is making sure that plan is sustainable. He stated the county is building a new school complex and new courthouse and still paying $47 million off the debt in the next two years. He said that meant the county is doing things in the right way. He said the county was being very conservative in its estimates, and as long as we are conservative in that, we will not get over extended. He described the debt service as very low and that the county is in a great position. He closed by saying that as county mayor, the most important thing we can do is to be sure we don’t backslide, and the way we do that is by going forward. He added that Sumner County is going to grow, and we need to be smart about it by making sure it benefits our county and complements what we have. He said as the county mayor, he promises that he will protect it, grow it and keep it on the right path. He ended his remarks saying that this county is a gem, and we must protect it.

Arias: He said it is important to become engaged, as he encouraged people to get out and vote. He added that we need to pay attention and work together, and that one of the reasons he is running is to draw people together. Politicians need to listen to the people, care about them and understand their voice.

Isbell: He said he is the conservative choice and has proven to be the battle-tested voice for the citizens. He added that he has a vision to be conservative, a vision to make sure every policy decision we make starts with one fundamental question — Is this the role of government? And if not, let’s let the private sector take care of it. That way we can be better stewards of your tax dollars. He ended by saying that he would make sure the foundation of our county is that with first responders, we recruit, train and retain.

Voting Information

Early voting begins on Wednesday, April 13 and continues through Thursday, April 28. Early voting in Portland will be April 15 from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Portland. Election Day is May 3. More information on early voting and Election Day voting is available at www.votesumnertn.org. Voters should note that redistricting may have changed some voters’ precincts.

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