UPDATE: Alderman Shull sent his ““White Paper: A New Direction for Kingsport” via email to about 50 people and asked for comments. Below is the Managing Editor of the Kingsport Times-News’s response that was obtained from a confidential source. The reply to Alderman Shull also went to the same large group of people.
The response below from the Kingsport Times-News to me is disturbing in that the Times-News is dictating what the readers of the newspaper should read. Ted Como should report the news and not control the news. Let the citizens decide their own views.
It is easy to notice how the “elites” rolled out the old attack machine against anybody who dared to present a different view?
If one does a Google search on Keith Wilson, Publisher of the Kingsport Times-News and Ted Como, Managing Editor of the Kingsport Times-News, one can see they they are not innocent bystanders, because of their involvement with the city and county affairs.
The local newspaper can print what they want, but they should also be aware that the readers can also choose not to read the bias views of the Kingsport Times-News.
From the response below, it is my opinion that the Kingsport Times-News is in the tank for Mayor Phillips and his gang. This, I am sure will be not be a surprise to the citizens of Kingsport. From the tone on the email message below, it appears that Ted Como has an axe to grind.
—–Original Message—–
From: Ted Como
Sent: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 7:53 am
Subject: Re: White Paper
Pat:
Since you asked…
You basic presmise is that city government is out of control and that residents agree with you, to wit: “There is a growing dissatisfaction among many Kingsport citizens regarding the direction taken by the current administration of our city government…;” “…much of the citizenry… seriously question(s) the wisdom of certain decisions…; “Our citizens take a dim view regarding the millions of dollars spent on projects…;” “many citizens have become disenchanted with their elected representatives…;” “A strong perception exists among the electorate that the BMA is only concerned with the views of an ‘elite’ and not the majority of citizens, and is unwilling to change;” etc.
Says who? How do you know what the majority of residents believe? Have you polled? Have you call everyone and asked?
Fact is, you have no clue what the majority of city residents believe (and of course, neither do I.) You simply assume that most everyone must agree with you – because they can’t see the forest for the trees, and you can. I’m not “from around here” and have only been observing Kingsport city government and all other aspects of this community for 26 years. But my sense is that the majority of city residents are very supportive and appreciative of efforts to expand the retail tax base and generally feel that due to progressive government of late, Kingsport has finally “arrived.”
You believe “city leadership has gone too far, too fast in spending taxpayer funds in an unfocused effort to be ‘progressive’, thereby raising municipal debt to dangerous, unprecedented levels.” What’s “unfocused” about these economic development efforts? It is simply ridiculous to state that municipal debt is at “dangerous” levels when – as you point out – it’s well within the city’s ceiling and ability to support. Further, “The cumulative effect of major spending decisions over the last 3 plus years has jeopardized the long-term financial health of the city…” To the contrary, the only way the city grows is by expanding the tax base and prudent managment of investment and debt makes that possible. And I believe that’s been the case.
Pat, I appreciate your point of view and your service to Kingsport. But frankly, I don’t know why you asked: I don’t think it matters to you what others think because I also believe that your mind is closed on these issues.
Ted
Came across an article written by Alderman Pat Shull, that is a must read if you care about the direction, the City of Kingsport, Tennessee has been headed. Alderman Shull identifies problems and offers solutions.
A NEW DIRECTION FOR KINGSPORT
Patrick W. Shull, Alderman, City of Kingsport
There is a growing dissatisfaction among many Kingsport citizens regarding the direction taken by the current administration of our city government. In a nutshell, the city leadership has gone too far, too fast in spending taxpayer funds in an unfocused effort to be “progressive”, thereby raising municipal debt to dangerous, unprecedented levels. While some of the actions taken by the Board of Mayor and Alderman (BMA) have been very positive, the cumulative effect of major spending decisions over the last 3 plus years has jeopardized the long-term financial health of the city, caused much of the citizenry to seriously question the wisdom of certain decisions, and distracted the city from addressing several areas of concern. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to highlight problem areas and recommend solutions to those problems.
Municipal Debt: As recently as 2006 the City of Kingsport was on target to bring the overall debt down to the $100 million mark. Since then, however, the debt has soared until it is now projected to exceed $200 million by early 2009. So far, the city is still under the legal thresholds for municipal debt. But the looming danger is that the current economic recession that the United States is experiencing will result in a downturn in city revenues via sales tax receipts and state shared taxes. As of this writing Kingsport’s unemployment is rising, our bond ratings may be downgraded, and we look poised to start experiencing the severe economic problems already being faced by national and state governments. The massive debt that the BMA has incurred equals a future tax increase.
Solution: The BMA must start prioritizing spending, something that it has refused to do during the current administration. The next budget should be tailored to begin paying down debt, not continually increasing it. We should limit the growth of the city workforce to the rate of growth of the city. And, we simply cannot begin any new major projects unless we identify a method of paying for it which does not increase the current debt level. Further, the main thrust of major capital projects should be improving the infrastructure for the long term benefit of all citizens. This will require the ability to distinguish between “needs” vs. “wants”. Finally, the BMA must resist the temptation to raise taxes, the exact wrong thing to do in the middle of a recession.
Annexation: The city has established a pattern of annexing “targets of opportunity”. Annexation is important to the long-term growth of the city, but it needs to proceed in a reasonable, planned pace. The major costs of annexation are heavily weighted on the front end and borne by the current city taxpayers – not the annexed areas.
Solution: Kingsport needs a 360 degree comprehensive annexation plan. Because the Regional Planning Commission is an arm of the city, we have the obligation to plan annexation in a careful, rational manner, which considers the concerns of all the stakeholders including the county government and citizens within the urban growth boundary. Simply jumping around as we are now only serves to unduly alienate our county constituencies and incur unnecessary un-programmed expense.
Economic Development: This term is probably the most imprecise term in the BMA lexicon. Because it lacks definition, the current administration has justified a number of questionable actions by citing them as good for economic development. The public has grown weary of targeted tax breaks and fancy projects aimed at pleasing narrow constituencies. Our citizens take a dim view regarding the millions of dollars spent on projects while at the same time they are running over pot-holes in our streets.
Solution: The next administration must reach an understanding among the BMA members and our citizens about the proper role of the city government in the local economy. Traditionally the most productive role the city can play is to help create a climate where the private sector can thrive by: providing superb schools; world-class infrastructure: outstanding public safety; low taxes; excellent public services; and assurance that all citizens will be treated fairly by their government.
School Support: Sullivan County has over capacity in its school system while simultaneously experiencing a decline in school age population. Conversely, the City of Kingsport is building a new elementary school and is projected to have increases in school age children. Simply put, this situation is a waste of Sullivan County taxpayer dollars which affects the majority of Kingsporters. This appears to be a “political” problem beyond the ability of the county and city school boards to solve.
Solution: Kingsport must call for an Education summit between all city/county players. State law provides ample authority for school districts located in the same county to cooperate in the best interests of the public. It is certainly within the public interest to resolve this problem and stop wasting money.
City Employee Retirement Costs: The city is one of the few remaining employers with a Defined Benefit Retirement Plan. This is increasingly becoming unaffordable. The longer we wait to fix this situation the more expensive resolution will become.
Solution: The city staff must provide a transition plan soon which converts the city to a Defined Contribution system. At this point there is still a small window of time remaining where this can be done and still keep faith with the current work force regarding their future benefits.
Under-represented Citizenry: There are no Aldermanic districts in Kingsport, all BMA members are elected at large. As the city population has increased, especially due to growth from recent immigrants, many citizens have become disenchanted with their elected representatives, several whom they view as representing special interests and being “out of touch” with regular, ordinary citizens.
Solution: Kingsport needs four districts with a neighborhood blend of various levels of socio-economic status. The resulting BMA would have four Aldermen representing districts, and the Mayor and two Aldermen elected at large. This would provide a better balance of competing interests.
“Distant” Local Government: The majority of the BMA recently passed two controversial measures affecting the Meadowview area despite the majority of Kingsport citizens being opposed. A strong perception exists among the electorate that the BMA is only concerned with the views of an “elite” and not the majority of citizens, and is unwilling to change. The current leadership does not hold “town hall” meetings, and often rush resolutions and ordinances through the process before the citizens have had time to “catch-up” with what is occurring. And the current leadership is not reluctant to wield the enormous power of government in questionable ways.
Solution: New leadership in City Hall is needed to reach out to all citizens. The BMA needs to seriously consider the views of many, not just a few. The next BMA needs to be focused on maximizing citizen freedom, not pleasing elite constituencies.
Lack of Leadership Vision: The current administration has never presented a coherent vision of Kingsport’s future which ties various major projects together or prioritizes spending in a logical, considered manner. Instead the BMA approaches business in an incremental, “one-project-at-a-time” manner. This approach has been a model of adhocracy which renders it impossible for the public, or even other elected officials, to ascertain exactly what we are trying to accomplish.
Solution: The next administration needs to develop and explain a vision of Kingsport’s future which the public can understand and embrace. There are several potential contributors to this process which are currently shut out in favor of selected interests. This vision can be linked to the budget and future planning in a systematic way.
Last night the Kingsport, Tennessee Board of Mayor and Alderman voted to borrow $41.1 million for various projects. According to the Kingsport Times-News quote below, the total debt has doubled in the last five years. I might add that this has occurred during Mayor Dennis Phillips terms as mayor and John Campbell as city manager.
Kingsport spending on projects in the last four years has set records since Mayor Phillips has been mayor. I have written many posts in this blog about the spending on pet projects and to some, I am sure that they think I am against progress and just being negative.
I have decided to seek re-election as an Alderman on the Kingsport Board of Mayor & Aldermen. Ideally a candidate for this important position must possess certain political qualifications including experience, character, and judgment about politics and the role of government in our lives.