The Town of Oak Ridge has conducted multiple surveys over the past 5+ years regarding the development of our Town Parks. The top responses from multiple feedback sessions and survey responses include amenities such as a Splash Pad, Basketball Courts, and Tennis/Pickleball Courts. They did not even include Baseball Fields as an optional amenity for voting in the last park survey, even though there is strong demand in ORYA, nor did they include a Splash Pad option.

Town Council has, along with the Parks and Recreation Board, prioritized other interests. This is just one example of council decisions that have felt "out of touch" with the community.

If you vote for me, I am a vote in support of turning the community's PRIORITIES into REALITY!

The property revaluation scheduled to happen next year directly impacts property tax bills. Some estimates project up to a 50% increase in the assessed value of homes. Higher values multiplied by tax rate = higher tax bills.

UNLESS the council votes to decrease the tax rate as needed to produce a "revenue neutral" rate. Meaning, the tax rate will be set to meet the current budget. 

Incumbent council members Ann Schneider and Jim Kinneman are considering maintaining the current rate to receive more taxpayer money to spend, spend, spend. Vote Lindsey Clark for tax relief and responsible spending.

The purpose of local government is to serve and represent the people of the Town. To hold the Town accountable to this purpose, it requires maximum transparency. 

If elected to Town Council, I would support increased transparency in discussions and decision-making by government boards and committees. Granting public access, but limiting that access to a certain time and place, is not truly accessible. In this day and age, there's no reason people shouldn't be able to watch meetings remotely or catch up later if they are unable to attend at a specific time. 

Government operations should be clearly defined as well, to further promote transparency.

I would propose the following:

• Clear ordinances defining the structure and purpose of ALL government boards and committees (this may lead to the combination of some committees)

• Requiring true public access through streaming and recording, similar to Town Council meetings

If elected to Town Council, I would prioritize low taxes and fiscal responsibility, treating Town funds with the same respect as my own. For example, grant money given to the Town is intended to save Town money, not bloat projects. Additionally, I would decrease the tax rate as needed to produce a "revenue neutral" rate after property revaluations occur. Meaning, the tax rate will be set to meet the current budget. 

Additionally, I would focus on improving standards for contracted work on the Town, such as requiring the following:

• Contractors paid when progress is made-- Fixed bid contracts with milestone payments

• No surprise costs-- Clearly defined scope to minimize later scope creep and change orders

• Competition for projects-- Firm requirements for a minimum of three bids on any project work

• Enforcement of terms-- In some cases, negotiating liquidated damages during contract formation; agreed upon amounts that are to be paid to the Town if certain aspects of the contract, like project deadlines, are not met

An issue I am passionate about is the respect for and protection of private property rights. This interest stems from an existing challenge to the Town's refusal to uphold their development regulations in an instance where a public trail easement was improperly added to a new neighborhood plat, to the detriment of existing neighbors.

If elected to Town Council, I would introduce ordinances regulating public access easements to minimize impact on existing properties. These proposals would include, but may not be limited to, definitions of the following:

• A minimum setback, or buffer, between the easement and existing properties

• A minimum width of a public easement to 20', the standard used elsewhere in development ordinances, to allow for navigation around hazards and mature trees

• The appropriate remedy in exceptional cases where a public easement is unable to adhere to the proper setback and width requirements-- a smaller setback allowance as well as compensation to eligible existing neighboring properties: the choice of a fence or landscaping along the entire affected boundary (eligible existing properties would be 3 acres or less)

• The responsibilities for maintenance and repair of the easements

I also believe in doing what we can to promote the protection of existing properties from potential risks of the proposed pipeline project (Southeast Supply Enhancement Project (SSEP)). Guilford County, and now Greensboro, have both passed resolutions asking for a more thorough analysis of the risks involved. I would vote in favor of a similar pipeline resolution, requesting both a thorough risk assessment and investigation into the option of a no-build alternative.