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ISSUES
Hi, my name is Gregg Schlanger and I am a candidate for County Commission District 5. I made the decision to run for County Commission because I truly believe we can improve the quality of life in Montgomery County for all citizens. Montgomery County, Tennessee is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, ranking 3rd in the state and 96th in the country. We need to use smart planning to address and welcome this growth.
Montgomery County's prosperous future depends on our children obtaining the best education available, living in safe neighborhoods, having employment that pays a livable wage and being able to enjoy the beautiful natural environment of Montgomery County.
Together, we can make a difference. Therefore, as your County Commissioner, I will continually seek your input on how to PROVIDE opportunities for quality education and for a better quality of life. I will seek to PRESERVE Montgomery County's rich heritage and culture and I will seek to better PROTECT our neighborhoods and natural resources.
I would appreciate your support and vote on August 3rd. Please email or call me if you have any questions or ideas about how to improve Montgomery County.
Education:
Our children deserve a first-rate education. I place education as one of the top priorities in my campaign. I support adequate funding, efficiency and accountability for public education. Although our school system is doing a great job educating our children with the limited amount of resources available to them; we need to give our schools the support necessary to become the best school district in Tennessee. While I strongly favor additional funds for our schools, I also hold administrators accountable for spending money wisely and on necessary priorities. The quality of a child's education determines the quality of that child's life as an adult. Montgomery County's prosperous future depends on our children...they are our future!
Growth:
Montgomery County, Tennessee is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States, ranking 3rd in the state and 96th in the country. We need to use smart planning to address and welcome this growth. We can learn from other similar communities such as Paducah, KY and Chattanooga, TN about ways to plan for our future. We can create an attractive community, one that attracts quality business and industry, and stimulates economic growth. We need to have a vision for the future, one that improves our quality of life with an emphasis on more green space, parks, bike trails/routes and sidewalks for a more pedestrian friendly environment. We can seek the best in urban planning and design; planning that encourages a real community. I support the formation of a Sports Authority by the city and county. I believe the MULTI-PURPOSE EVENTS CENTER would greatly enhance the quality of life in Montgomery County.
Arts, culture, heritage:
As an artist it is probably evident that I support the Arts. A thriving arts, culture and heritage program contributes to the economic development of a community. As one of the original members of the Mayor's Arts & Culture Commission, formed to evaluate the arts and heritage of our community, we established the Arts and Heritage Development Council. This organization is presently funded by the city, with needed support from the county. The AHDC can and should become the area's leading resource to promote the arts and heritage in our area. According to the AHDC:
Mission Statement (of the AHDC)
The Arts and Heritage Development Council's mission is to assist Arts and Heritage organizations in their efforts to market, develop and present quality programs, while enhancing arts awareness throughout the community, and contributing positively to economic development, thus improving overall quality of life.
Vision (of the AHDC)
The Arts and Heritage Development Council (AHDC) be considered the premier community resource for arts and heritage program information. That business, education, arts and heritage program partnerships are implemented on an even wider scale. Through the AHDC efforts, affiliate's organizational development and marketing support enhances program participation, self-sustainment, and strengthens their capacity to entertain, inform, as they bring life in our community through their programming.
Livable wage:
I believe if one works full time, one should be able to support one's family.
Across the country, communities are passing "Livable Wage" ordinances. Hundreds of counties and cities have established a living wage, one that is required to actually live in that community without the need for public assistance. Too many large businesses in our community are dependent on their employees receiving public assistance to live. They should be paying the bill not us, the taxpayer. I don't think we can wait for the federal and/or state government to raise the minimum wage rate: we have waited 9 years now, one of the longest periods in the history of the Fair Labor Standards Act. For more info on how this can work, visit The Living Wage Resource Center. Or read this article in the The Christian Science Monitor, 'Living wage' laws gain momentum across US. Responsible Wealth,a national network of business people and others has a list of FAQ on this subject that answers many of your questions at: http://www.responsiblewealth.org/living_wage/qanda.html
Senior tax relief:
Rising property taxes are a burden on our senior citizens. While Tax Relief for the Elderly is a good program, I do not believe it gives enough support while limiting income to below $12,980.
In addition, I would promote a “senior citizen tax freeze” which would freeze the property tax rate for any senior citizen on a fixed income with a house value under $150,000 who has resided in the house for more than ten years.
Protect the environment:
We can always do better. I will always support protecting the environment. With rising energy costs, I believe the county can save money investing in and making use of "green energy". The county should buy hybrid vehicles when appropriate for the use. The county should lead the way in the use of renewable energy. Mandate that all new county buildings, including schools should use geothermal technology, and are equipped with solar panels and use low watt lighting. We should have policies in place to better regulate heating and cooling of buildings and for turning off lights and computers. We should join with the city and create better ways to cleanup our air quality. Clarksville was denied federal highway funding for 6 months in 2004 because of low air quality. We can do better. The Cumberland River is a major attraction in our city. From July 2003 - December 2004, Clarksville's wastewater treatment plant had 21 EPA Clean Water violations. We all live downstream. We can do better.
Recycle:
Bi-County's recycle program is now recycling over 900 tons per month. That is 10,800 tons per year. I would support a county wide curbside pickup recycling program. Fort Campbell Recycling Center recycles only 2000 tons of materials per year and the program pays for itself and has saved the Post more than $3 million each year. With a request of $97,608 for the landfill fund from Bi-County for unanticipated expenses, could a program such as this help to create the additional funds needed to cover rising energy costs and other expenses?
Public safety:
As a county commissioner I will always work to support the needs of the Sheriff's department to better protect us. We should feel safe in our neighborhoods and on our streets. I will work to encourage community-based crime prevention efforts such as neighborhood watches, domestic violence shelters and youth programs.
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