Sunday, May 02, 2010
Roanoke City Council 2010 candidates: Tony Walker
Election Day is Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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From The Roanoke Times
Roanoke City Council race
Tony Walker (R), 44
Regional coordinator for special education for Roanoke County public schools.
Roanoke City Council race 2010
Meet the candidates
Is Roanoke’s general fund budget too large or too small? If it’s too large, what services or programs would you cut? If too small, where would you find revenue to fuel the growth?
The general fund is too small. However, the fund encompasses a great deal of projects or programs that lead to the wasting of city tax dollars. This is evidenced through decisions and projects that have proven to be non productive for the city. In contrast, the ability to fund core services and fully fund our city schools has not matched the pace of the general funds’ growth of debt. If proactive fiscal management was being practiced on a regular basis, Roanoke would be in a much better position to sustain the current economic downturn.
There is no question that the city will absorb limited resources from the state in the short term. So it is time for the blame game to be over. The time is now for the upcoming city council to show its’ talent through leadership. It will be up to the administration at the local level to provide the structure to sustain the city’s budget towards additional revenue for capital projects, assets, and core services. First, we must be proactive during every budget decision, while mapping out a successful path for Roanoke’s future. We need to re-prioritize the capital improvement plan to match the current needs of the city.
I would delay the amphitheater project and either sell the land for commercial use or develop it in order to generate revenue for the city. I would advocate to table the plan to erect the amphitheater and relocate the amphitheater to another location when the economy improves. Second, I would involve the community to help decide what to do with country side golf course.
However, I would suggest to use a small portion of the land for a park area, and invite investors to develop the land for housing or commercial use. All with the idea to generate additional revenue for the city. The longer the land sits in its current state, the more it become a debt burden for the city.
If additional funds are necessary, although I love the Market Building and I think that it is a landmark area for downtown Roanoke. However, I would advocate to postpone the renovations of the Market Building for a year, while supporting current vendors with the security of staying in the Market Building for the additional year. During the year, there would need to be a clear plan of what to do with the market. I would keep the community informed, especially the current vendors occupying the Market Building.
In addition, I would look within the budget for projects that are already in place and re-evaluate their performances. If they are not generating revenue for the city, they either need repairing or take them off the table as positive entities for revenue. We could look to privatize these projects and use the maintenance funds for the city schools or core services. Also, I would call on all departments to prioritize, consolidate and departmentalize to see what additional funds can be saved. This would be done with the idea of creating smaller and more efficient government, with the focus of quality and not quantity of services.
Further, I would focus to support local businesses to strengthen them and use them as a spring board to attract other businesses. Also, invest in tourism, which would help draw entrepreneurs and families focus to Roanoke. This would increase our population and generate much needed revenue for the city. With the increase in business and population, this will give us the opportunity to reduce our overall tax base. A lower tax base will draw even more businesses and families to root themselves in the Star City. Also, we could use the additional funds to support our local schools system and services. This would aid the school system with sustaining future financial impacts. The added funds will allow the school system to be creative with necessary materials, maintain smaller class sizes, maintain teaching personnel, maintain quality programs, and enhances staff professional development. All with the thrust to improve the school system’s graduation rate and quality of educational programs for students.
A thriving school system, an economy on the move, and an undercurrent of proactive fiscal management will help enhance Roanoke’s image to the rest of the state and nation as the place to be.
What actions should the city council take to help improve schools? Please be specific, and if the answer involves more money, please detail where it would come from.
City Council must first be proactive and start the planning process for the sun setting of the 2 percent meals tax and extinction of the stimulus funding. It is better to plan now and keep your eyes two years down the road instead of waiting until the moment arrives to deal with the funding issue. There is no reason why city council should not come up with the needed funding for the schools system, especially if they have two years to do it. The funding will help the school system with maintaining staffing ratios, teacher/pupil class sizes, and adequate materials for students. This would aid schools with the much needed resources to build on their recent achievements and success, which would lead to increasing the graduation rate.
Also, City Council needs to keep up with the maintenance of the schools. This includes new roofs for those schools that need them, painting of schools, maintaining the security of the schools by repairing or replacing doors, locks, and windows. This would help maintain a level of safety and security for students and school personnel.
What capital project do you consider most important for the city council to fund over the next four years.
I feel that city council needs to address the problem of storm drain water management. This is an issue that is has been ignored for years and has not received adequate funding to fix the system. Also, we are facing specific requirements tied to this repairing and maintenance of the storm drain system. The repairing of this system is important to the city as the runoff effects each city resident and business owner.
Should the council abandon party labels during council elections? Should it move Election Day to November to encourage more voter participation.
No, I believe that individuals identify with others who share their core beliefs. These core beliefs are found within party affiliations. However, I believe that party affiliation should not interfere with the responsibilities that a city councilman must embrace and perform during his/her tenure. I believe that a city councilman is an elected official who is responsible and accountable to the people of Roanoke City. Any collaborated decision that a city councilman makes should be free from personal or privately supported agendas, and should always be in the best interest of Roanoke City residents.
Moving the election to November is worth considering. It does appear that more individuals focus on other elections that take place during the month of November. Voter participation appears to be higher during the fall elections.
What’s the biggest mistake the council has made over the last decade? What is its most important achievement during that same time period?
Tearing down Victory Stadium. Victory Stadium was a landmark for Roanoke City. The stadium highlighted parks and recreation activities, as well as other city events. It was a draw for the region and tourism for the Star City.
Collaborating with the community to erect the Martin Luther King statue and bridge. This was a loud voice to the all communities that Roanoke promotes equality and opportunities for the city coming together regardless of race.
Who do you think has done a good job as a Roanoke Valley leader, past or present?
Former Mayor Noel C. Taylor. He was a great leader who contributed a great deal to the Star City.
