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Businessman faces artist in race for District 5 seat By NATE KARLIN An Austin Peay State University art professor will compete with a one-term incumbent to be District 5's county commissioner. Gregg Schlanger said he has never held an elected position, but his artistic background and knowing how to spend wisely with his APSU art department budget gives him the basic skills to perform commission duties and enhance the county's quality of life. "I think what I can bring just as an artist is a creative mind and new ways of looking at issues and how to solve problems," he said. Gibbs said his four years in office have better prepared him for a second term. "It takes a term to really learn your way around to see how everything works," Gibbs said. Generating revenue, handling growth Gibbs said revenue will be generated with more growth because more people will be spending money and buying property. "I don't see putting more taxes on people as a way to generate more money," Gibbs said. "People moving here, spending their money here and paying property taxes should take care of that." Schlanger said growth is one of the biggest issues the county will face during the next few years. "We need to enhance it, we need to embrace it and work with it," he said. "I think that we need to create an attractive community." He said commissioners need to look at other communities that have "really embraced growth in a positive way" to create specific plans for Montgomery County. He said the government also could hire urban designers to help create plans. Gibbs said county commissioners need to stop borrowing as much money and do a better job of watching what they spend to save money. For example, the county could cut back on the number of employee drivers, excess equipment and excess administration in the school system, he said. "We can't keep going in debt like we are now," he said. He also said the school system needs to stop spending money on consultants, especially with maintenance problems. "You have employees who can do about anything," he said. "You don't need consultants." Schlanger said the county could cut back on costs simply by conserving energy within its departments. He said money could be saved in energy costs each year by turning computers off every night and keeping the thermostat leveled. The county also should look into buying hybrid vehicles, which could save long term, he said. To add more park space, Schlanger said the county has several options, including acquiring more federal and state grants, partnering with private businesses or implementing user fees. "You'd hate to do that (user fees for parks) because you want it to be for everyone," he said. "But that's just one option." Better-paying jobs Gibbs said the county needs to offer more tax breaks to big businesses because it has already missed several opportunities, such as with the Wal-Mart Distribution Center that went just north of the border to Hopkinsville, Ky. "If we're going to have to give them a little more in tax breaks, then that's what we have to do," he said. Schlanger agrees that the county needs to offer more tax incentives. But he also said good quality of life and higher-paying jobs go hand in hand. "Businesses are looking at quality of life issues when deciding where to go," he said. "If they're making more, then they're also spending more." Cultural events center Gibbs said the county should provide property tax breaks to attract a cultural center, such as the proposed multipurpose events center. He said he supports the events center, but he wants to see private businesses pay for it. "I have no problem with tax breaks, but I don't think the taxpayers need to flip the bill on things like this," he said. Schlanger also supports the proposed events center, but he doesn't like the current idea of using about 40 acres of land near the interstate to build the center and surrounding businesses. He said the center should be built near downtown. "If it were more related to downtown, we don't need 40 acres because you already have the retail district," he said. "It could help revitalize the downtown area." Downtown preservation Gibbs said the biggest problem facing District 5 is the current homeless shelter, where the Salvation Army wants to add more beds. He said he wants the shelter in Clarksville but not next to an elementary school. "People want to put everything that nobody wants in this district because it is the older part of town," he said. "If we could get rid of a lot of things like this, it would be a big help to clean this area." Schlanger said he wants to preserve the historical aspects of the District 5, but he also wants to add more sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as more bike paths along the Cumberland River. "As growth occurs, you at least need to try to maintain any of the aesthetics of the area," he said. "But I want to make it more pedestrian-friendly." Nate Karlin covers county government and the School Board. He can be reached at 245-0276 or by e-mail at natekarlin@theleafchronicle.com. DISTRICT 5 COUNTY COMMISSION Robert Gibbs Age: 44 Occupation: Owner of Gibbs Supplies and Services. Education: Clarksville High School. Family: Single. Background: He was elected as District 5 commissioner in 2002. Before being elected, he served on the Election Commission for six years. Gregg Schlanger Age: 46 Occupation: Art professor at Austin Peay State University. Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts from Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from Northern Illinois University. Family: He and his wife, Monica Quattrochio, have two children. Background: He created the Pillar of Fire sculpture at Public Square. He served as chairman of Montgomery County's first Public Arts Selection Committee. He also served on the Montgomery County Millennium Commission and the Mayor's Arts and Culture Commission. |
Download the campaign poster here. Read the article on the election in District 5 in the Leaf Chronicle Clarksville, TN Online |
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