Do you endorse LIFT and the Local Option Sales Tax?
I would endorse LIFT and local option sales tax. Although I don’t favor any new taxes, LOST would be self imposed by the voters for community specific projects, given the enabling legislation is passed by the state.
Whether you are in support of LIFT or not, what projects do you see as a priority that could benefit from community funding?
Projects benefiting from community funding could include completing the Nature Park with amphitheater and nature study center or a convention center.
Do you see any services provided by both County and City government where it would be more cost effective to combine these efforts?
I do not see any services provided by both the city and county that could be combines because of diverse law, regulations and jurisdiction of the two governments.
In light of potential cuts at Fort Knox, will you endorse funding for One Knox? If not, what are you willing to do to protect the economic contribution of Fort Knox?
I would endorse funding for One Knox and endorse any measures to protect the economic contribution of Fort Knox.
What are you recommending being done to bring new business to downtown Elizabethtown?
My recommendation would be tax abatement program where occupation taxes and/or net profits tax would be collected by the city for a certain time period, given the new or expanding business met certain conditions.
Do you believe a change to the alcohol regulations should be made to stimulate interest in downtown development?
Yes a change to the alcohol regulations would allow smaller restaurants as would a change to the grease trap regulations.
Will you be a supporter of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce?
Yes I would support the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce.
The Sports Park is now a proven creator of tourism and new economic activity for this community. Do you think that our community needs other forms of entertainment in order to entice these sports teams and their parents to come back to the park in the future?
Yes I believe other forms of entertainment would enhance the sports park, possibly an amusement park but this should be left to the private sector.
Do you know if tournament entries are on the increase or decline at the Sports Park and why?
I know little about the number of tournament entries, other than what has been reported by media. The sports park appears to be doing good and I don’t see a need to change the governance as provided by the City of Elizabethtown.
Do you feel Planning and Zoning Department needs to create a more streamlined and efficient process for both current and potentially new business? If not, what can businesses do to be better prepared for new development plans and applications? If yes, what are your recommendations for improved efficiency?
I feel the current Planning and Zoning Department process for current and new business is as streamlined and efficient as it can get. Planning and Zoning has changed the design standards for downtown properties to entice business to the area.
What is your position on the potential closure of Woodland Drive near the hospital?
The Woodland Drive closing has been a potential for many years. I don’t believe the Hardin Memorial Hospital campus should be divided by a street. With the planned re-locations of Cardinal Drive and Buford Lane, the traffic patterns of Woodland Drive are going to change.
