Do you endorse LIFT and the Local Option Sales Tax?
I do not endorse LIFT and I am opposed to the Local Option Sales Tax. I feel the city is financially capable of providing funding for any “special need projects” that it deems necessary without additional taxation.
Whether you are in support of LIFT or not, what projects do you see as a priority that could benefit from community funding?
The City currently has no priorities for community funding projects. The cities in Hardin County have done exceptionally well in funding and providing for their specific individual needs.
Do you see any services provided by both County and City government where it would be more cost effective to combine these efforts?
Due to the size and nature of Radcliff and Elizabethtown, I do not think it would be feasible and cost effective to combine most essential services. (Police and fire services are the ones most often mentioned.)
The City is in the final stages of combining our water system with Hardin County Water District 2. This should be a positive and beneficial cooperation for the customers of both systems.
In light of potential additional cuts at Fort Knox, will you endorse funding or One Knox? If not, what are you willing to do to protect the economic contribution of Fort Knox?
The City no longer provides funding for One Knox. We currently do provide funding for the Core Committee which we feel helps protect the economic contribution of Fort Knox.
What are you recommending being done to bring new business to downtown Elizabethtown? What incentives should the City make available to existing business to expand and potential new business to come to the downtown area? Do you believe a change to the alcohol regulations should be made to stimulate interest in downtown development?
The City is working diligently in the redevelopment of our downtown. I am hopeful that in the years to come that we can change the face downtown from a government district to a viable and thriving business and entertainment plaza.
We are making sidewalk and street lighting improvements that should enhance aesthetics of the area. Parking lots have been color-coded by name so as to be easily accessible to those unfamiliar downtown.
The City is being very proactive and supportive of community groups that are involved in revitalization efforts for downtown. In addition to the individual businesses, we are cooperating with the Heritage Council, the Historic State Theater, the History Museum, the Brown Pusey House and the Historic Walking Tour to name a few. Finally, in the last two years we are actively working on establishing a KY High School Basketball Hall of Fame downtown.
Finally, we are currently in discussions for major renovations of the Newberry Building that is City owned. This could be a major boost in the transformation of downtown.
As for incentives, the City has several programs to entice and assist downtown businesses. (i.e. waiver of the employee occupational tax payment and grants for exterior building improvements.)
Effective January 1, 2015, KRS alcohol regulations will relax and change alcohol rules that should stimulate interest in downtown development.
Will you be a supporter of the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce? For the Mayor’s Office, will you attend the regular Board meetings?
I have always been a supporter of the Chamber of Commerce. I was the active Chairman of the Heartland Festival for 8 years when it was under the direction of the Chamber. I have also served in the past on the Board of Directors and chaired several committees.
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? Do you know if tournament entries are on the increase or decline at the Sports Park and why? What needs to be provided in terms of governance of the Sports Park and new entertainment services and amenities for the visitors in our community to ensure the continued success of the Sports Park?
Obviously additional forms of entertainment would be welcome additions to entice teams to return to the Sports Park. I personally feel that private sector investors will see this as a financially rewarding opportunity in the near future and we will see new attractions.
The City will open a new aquatic center next summer this should be a popular enticement for Sport Park visitors as well as city residents. The Tourism and Conventional Bureau is helping with funding for the new facility.
ETCB figures show that tournament entries and attendance have increased at the Sports Park since it opened. This is due to the facilities itself and to the reputation it has established. I am very comfortable and proud of the marking promotion of the Sports Park by ETCB. They have gone above and beyond in their efforts to ensure continued success of the Sports Park. The Sports Park is a City owned facility. Governance of the park should rest with the city.
Do you feel the 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 am extremely proud of the work and efficiency of our Office of Planning and Development. For the volume and variety of the office’s workload on a daily basis, it is as streamlined as any similar operation it might be compared to in the state. Methods are in place that allow for reduced processing time for new and existing developments. Unsolicited letter of praise and commendation are on file from major businesses and corporations that will attest to the speed and efficiency of this office in working with them.
To be better prepared for new development plans and applications, businesses could review the standards and entire process on the City’s website.
What is your position on the potential closure of Woodland Drive near the Hospital?
To my knowledge, no plan has been finalized and/or approved that would result in the closure of Woodland Drive with the widening of Cardinal Drive and extension to 31W through the HMH parking lot. There is a proposal that would make Woodland Drive a “limited access” street to allow for the expansion of HMH’s Emergency Room facilities.
Under the present proposal, access to medical offices and related businesses would still be available but not as direct and I understand their concerns. Moreover, after accepting the likelihood of increased traffic in abutting residential streets under the limited access proposal, it is obvious that design modifications must be presented to alleviate these access and traffic concerns if the project is to move forward.
Until and unless acceptable compromises can be made to the present proposal (i.e. additional Woodland Drive assess, light at Layman Lane/31W, widening of Layman Lane) I cannot support the present proposed design and would not vote to move forward with any changes to the City’s improvement of Cardinal Drive. I am open for new design proposals and/or alternatives.
