CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery County mayor candidates discussed the issues recently in the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce debates.
The candidates, with links to their profiles, are:
- Wes Golden, Republican
- Jodi O’Connor, Independent
Here is a recording of the complete political forum.
Highlight: School construction
In discussing school construction needs, O’Connor pointed out that having no land currently designated for additional Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools is a problem.
Funding for schools, she said, could be helped in part by her plan to raise the county’s adequate facilities tax, which is charged on new construction.
“Raising the adequate facilities tax, which will be one of my major focuses, by doing that I think we can bring another $2 or $3 million to the budget.”
Golden said the county needs to make school construction funding a priority. “We need to make it a priority as we’re going through our budget and making sure we have the land and the resources,” he said.
“We also need to look at the way we’re building our schools as well, and maybe not take up as much land as we’re taking up. Land is one of our most valuable resources, and if we’re not careful we’re going t run out of it.”
The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce debates were sponsored also by Leadership Clarksville. They were filmed by Goodwin Productions and hosted at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center.
How to vote
The voter registration deadline is July 5.
Early voting will be July 15-30 at the Election Commission Office, 350 Pageant Lane, and July 18-30 at the Clarksville Regional Airport, 200A Outlaw Field Road.
Voting on Aug. 4 will take place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the neighborhood voting precincts.
Because of the state primary, you will be asked whether you want a Republican or Democratic ballot. You will have to show your driver’s license or other state or federal photo ID.
For more information, go to the Montgomery County Election Commission website.