08-29-11

1.     The employee pensions and mandatory employee raises are straining the city budget.  Would you address this problem by reducing benefits, reducing the workforce, raising taxes, or taking some other approach?

The City must minimize taxpayer liability while offering a competitive salary/benefits package to recruit and retain quality employees.  A Pension Task Force is studying the issue, so it is premature to determine an outcome.  I support that process and will work with Council and employee groups to take appropriate action.  Any proposed charter changes must be approved by city voters. Rather than judging other benefits individually, employees’ benefits should be comprehensively reviewed regularly to insure that the overall package is fair and competitive and in line with the Mercer Plan which aims to pay salaries/benefits based on market averages.

2.     What specific plans do you have for growing Knoxville’s job base and business activity?

To address complaints that “it’s hard to do business with the city,” I will create an Office of Business Support (modeled after Mayor Haslam’s Office of Neighborhoods) with a Business Advisory Council and a Business Liaison to help businesses navigate city offices and advocate for policies/regulations that are not burdensome.  We’ll strategically use TIFs and infrastructure improvements to drive development. Our strategy will be existing business expansion, start-ups, and strategic recruitment.  A high quality of life is an economic strategy: arts/culture; parks/greenways; historic/natural resources preservation.  We’ll focus on growing the outdoor recreation industry as part of the Urban Wilderness initiative.

3.     Generally speaking, the city is downstream from the county.  How will you deal with flooding and water quality issues in the city that are exacerbated by activity in the county?

We need consistent regulations and strong enforcement in the city and the county.  New EPA and state regulations will result in tighter and more consistent requirements for both.  Because each watershed’s situation is unique, there is not a single solution. The city is analyzing each watershed and will need to tailor solutions that address quantity and quality issues for each one through capital projects and area-specific regulations.  In addition, we need to promote/require low-impact (green) development and business practices that will ultimately save money for businesses, reduce taxpayer liability for flood and water issues, and support environmental and economic sustainability.

4.     Projects like Interstate 40 and James White Parkway have left East Knoxville somewhat isolated.  How can we improve connectivity between East Knoxville and Downtown?

Knoxville has both man-made and natural boundaries that physically isolate many neighborhoods and people.  These boundaries disrupt the grid network that promotes connectivity in urban environments.  In East Knoxville, urban renewal further disrupted the social fabric and downtown connection. The new Transit Station is a creative way to “grow” new space downtown and connect eastward by spanning the Parkway gulf.  Proposed improvements to Magnolia Avenue will help.  Connectivity is more than physical, however.  We must be intentional about including all residents in our civic life and ensure equitable city services and access to jobs, a good education, and great neighborhoods.

5.     What will be the primary focus of your administration?

My administration will focus on growing a diversified economy with profitable businesses and good jobs. We will promote a greener Knoxville that grows while preserving our environment. We will support a lively downtown and thriving commercial core, along with great, connected neighborhoods.  A vibrant qualify of life is important for those who live here and for the businesses that we want to retain and attract. We will promote arts and culture; parks, greenways, and bike lanes; and historic and natural resources preservation. Finally, we will be an inclusive city that provides solid stewardship of taxpayer dollars and reliable, efficient services.

Submitted by Madeline Rogero, with permission given to the LWV to print my answers in the Voter Guide 2011.

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