CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery County Commission candidates discussed the issues recently in the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce political forums.

They will all be on the ballot in August, with early voting starting in July. To find your commission district, check your Voter ID card or go to the district maps.

Not every candidate took part in the forums, and in races where only one candidate was participating, the forum wasn’t held. Clarksville Now reached out to all candidates who didn’t appear and offered them an opportunity to respond to key questions.

Here are the candidates, links to their profiles, video of the political forums, and any written responses.

County Commission, District 2 

Charles Keene had out-of-town obligations. Dennis Potvin declined to participate. Here are their written responses.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Keene: School construction funding will always be a community concern. The Kirkwood Middle School is being funded by a different process than schools in the past. It will save taxpayers money. Hopefully future new schools can be built in a similar process.

Potvin: The idea we don’t have funds to construct schools is laughable. Never in the history of this city has more tax revenue flowed into the government’s bank account. We are one of the richest cities in one of the richest cash-surplus states in America. 140 people a day move to Tennessee; many right here to Montgomery County, spending tax money on Day 1. We have been paying county wheel taxes specifically designed to fund school construction since 2017, yet what is there to show for it? We are building schools that were funded five years ago and needed 10 years ago.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Keene: Animal Control, North Clarksville Library, and Stokes Field are all in need of more funding. All of these need support from the County Commission.

Potvin: Animal Control and Adoption needs much better funding. My family has donated thousands of dollars to our local shelter because of the need for more money to help the animals. Waste Management and Recycling is in great need of funding and updating; witness the enormous lines every weekend. And we need county library branches throughout the area, just as we need a TV station and more DMV branches. We are a city with more people than Dayton (OH), Syracuse (NY), Bridgeport (CT) and Kansas City (KS) – it’s time to look and act like it.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Keene: A growing community needs infrastructure in place before building a subdivision, school, or shopping center. In a lot of cases this has not happened in Montgomery County. Smart growth needs to be a well-balanced process. Don’t get the cart before the horse!

Potvin: Bad growth is the clearing of forests, destruction of rock foundations and the paving of farm fields – i.e., the complete topographical transformation of hearty earth – into slabs of concrete and urban sprawl for the purpose of enriching land barons and construction contractors. No surprise that these are the top donors to local political candidates. Smart growth begins with infrastructure, continues with gradual transformation of the land and culminates in limited growth. The current system leads to runoff, erosion, pollution and destruction of our ecosystem.

County Commission, District 4 

County Commission, District 5 

The District 5 forum was not held because Lori Mason declined to participate for a prior commitment. Here are written responses from Rashidah Leverett and Mason.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Leverett: To get caught up, I think we need to first communicate with the public that we are behind. Secondly, we need to prioritize school construction when we plan our capital projects. This can be challenging considering that CMCSS campuses are funded by allocations from the federal, state and local governments respectively. In any case, I think it is the commission’s responsibility to collaborate with those funding sources as well as the county engineer and School Board to adequately stay on top of construction which may reduce overcrowding on Day 1 of school openings.

Mason: Any items relating to the schools are addressed by the School Board to include land acquisition, design and construction costs. Once the proposal has passed through the School Board, it is then sent to the County Commission to be reviewed and approved or denied by vote, as is their yearly budget. If passed, then a bond is issued for the School Board. It is the School Board’s responsibility to request appropriate funding for the construction of the schools in Montgomery County.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Leverett: I think Montgomery County Animal Care and Control is in need of better funding and support outside of EMS/EMA. Our Animal Control department services all animals in the city and county, so we need to fund a full-time staff veterinarian. We are very grateful for the partnership with Fort Campbell which helps us house a large number of animals. The Spring Street location is too small and bursting at the seams. Animal Control personnel has been very patient in waiting for the commission to allocate funds for a new building, I think that time is now.

Mason: Montgomery County Sherriff’s Office is one of the departments that need additional funding. There needs to be funds available for more School Resource Officers to help ensure the safety of our schools and there also needs to be a juvenile detention center placed in Montgomery County. The county workhouse is not being utilized at present, it could easily be remodeled to fit this need. With additional funds, and the cut of the expenses to transport juveniles out of the community, the Sheriff’s Office could put those funds towards staff, and programs to help put these young people back on a positive track.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Leverett: Well, bad growth has been associated with the term “urban sprawl,” which is uncontrolled growth in an urban area. I don’t think we are there, although some may disagree. Smart growth is using land to serve a community purpose. For example, in District 5, vacant lots have been identified and developed into affordable housing. This is an example of smart growth to me because it serves a two-fold purpose, housing for a family that needs it and revenue through property taxes for our schools and community.

Mason: Bad growth to me is the continuous expansion of growth with a lack of infrastructure, a lack of economic growth, and the lack of affordable housing and amenities that a community needs to thrive. Smart growth is the process of planned development to help enhance the community’s growth, health and safety. It curbs urban expansion and helps create a more attractive community to live in, and make the community more economically competitive.

County Commission, District 6 

The District 6 forum was not held because Randy Allbert declined to participate. Here are written responses from Michael Lankford.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Lankford: … To start, a priority we should have is to take into consideration the comments from CMCSS more so than we do currently. There have been numerous times during large rezoning cases that the school system has stated the school zone in question is already at capacity yet we approve the cases anyway knowing what the outcome will be. When this happens all over the county, it only puts us in a worse position to try to fix the problem. We also have to be focused as a whole on solving this challenge; when you make something a priority, you will achieve success. If an idea is not a priority, you’ll achieve the same result over and over.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Lankford: As we continue to grow, we need to ensure that our public safety and infrastructure grows with us. One of the main priorities of government should be to keep the community safe; providing adequate dollars to the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, and Highway Department is crucial to that idea.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Lankford: … A county is essentially a business and much like a business, you must scale it over time as it grows. This is no different in county government; we have a large increase in population and business but that is only one piece of the puzzle. We have to grow the support system as well to include increasing public safety, expanding road systems, ensuring quality education, etc. Bad growth is the opposite of what is mentioned above, to focus on only one piece of the growth problem (ie. rapid building of housing) is irresponsible without a support system and blankets many communities with hardship.

County Commission, District 7 

County Commission, District 11

The District 11 forum was not held because Joe Creek declined to participate. Here are written responses from Christine McKinney.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

McKinney: As of 2019, CMCSS identified a need for 25 new schools and 192 capital projects, at a cost of approximately $250M. It is expected that, due to growth, those needs and costs have since increased. I believe it is necessary for our students’ well-being and education that we build new schools or expand existing schools, utilizing every option available. Prior to 2014, we built a new school every 1.4 years. In the past 8 years, we have built only the Kirkwood complex. We owe it to our community to do better.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

McKinney: The Montgomery County Fire Department is a volunteer department. Montgomery County funds the equipment, vehicles, facilities and insurance, but everything else is paid for by donation or fundraising events. The dedication of these volunteers is to be commended, but Montgomery County is growing too quickly for this situation to be sustainable. We should create and fund a full-time fire department, one that is perhaps augmented by volunteers, but not dependent solely upon them.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

McKinney: Bad growth is growth with no plan or forethought – in short, throwing up new developments wherever land is to be found, but not planning for infrastructure, for shopping, for schools or increased traffic. It does not include green spaces, bike lanes or recreation areas. It requires that residents have access to motor vehicles. Further, it does not take equity or equality into consideration, and it ignores environmental issues. It is, ultimately, unsustainable.

County Commission, District 12 

The District 12 forum was not held. Carmelle Chandler was unable to attend. Here are written responses from Chandler.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Chandler: My stance is we definitely need to be caught up on any and all debt. I strongly believe that instead of spending money for acres of land for a school campus that will be overcrowded as soon as the doors open. We should consider building up, which does cost more but in the long run it will be more beneficial! Build up and not wide, that way we will have room for growth. So that we aren’t continuously in the debt in the years to come.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Chandler: I feel the Fire Department should be better funded. We need to have paid positions in our county fire stations so that they can be manned all year round, reducing the response time to get to our citizens in Montgomery County. We also need to take a close look at Animal Control and the Sheriff’s Department to ensure that they are fully and adequately manned as well. From my knowledge on the commission, I know for a fact that all of the three departments that I’ve just named are on our radar and we are working fervently to ensure that they are properly manned in the foreseeable future.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Chandler: Bad growth is when the infrastructure (roads, utilities, medical, parks/rec and living wage jobs) is not in place to support growth. In which in some instances you can end up with a negative effect on the community within 20 years.

County Commission, District 14 

County Commission, District 16 

County Commission, District 17 

The District 17 forum was not held. Chris Rasnic was unable to attend because of an emergency. Here are written responses from Rasnic.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Rasnic: We need to make sure we look through the county and school budget, make cuts on projects that don’t need to be done right now and fund school construction to fix our overcrowded classrooms by building new schools and adding classrooms to existing schools.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Rasnic: I believe the Animal Control department needs funding and support. They are in dire need of a new facility. The good thing is that we’re working on that now and hopefully in the next budget year we can get a new facility for them.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Rasnic: Bad growth is not having a plan for future growth. Smart growth in my eyes would be making sure we have the infrastructure, utilities and schools we need for our future growth.

County Commission, District 18 

The District 18 forum was not held because Ryan Gallant declined to participate. Here are written responses from Kyong Dawson.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Dawson: Without being in position of county commissioner, I have little information that would provide a valid answer on this subject. A deeper look of finances would be needed to better understand where school construction needs are and where county stands in their own financial position.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Dawson: Seeing and only hearing what has been relayed to community, I believe this would be our first responders (Sheriff, Fire, EMS).

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Dawson: Bad growth is continued building, expansion, no balances, and no planning in any of it. Smart growth is taking into account current and potential new businesses, planning ahead for all, having a team that works as a whole.

County Commission, District 19 

  • William “Billy” Frye, I
  • Garland V. Johnson, I, incumbent

The District 19 forum was not held. Neither candidate responded.

County Commission, District 20

The District 20 forum was not held because Kristen Artrip and Michael Walker declined to participate. Here are written responses from Autumn Simmons.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Simmons: A great step would be examining how the budget was spent in the past so effective decisions are made with due diligence for future projects. Grant writing is a great way to increase funding without taking more money from taxpayers.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Simmons: I firmly believe all departments need a fair look at so we know if it’s a budgeting or spending problem we need to address. I would like to see innovation within all departments so we can run effectively and better serve or Montgomery County community and employees.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Simmons: Take for example a house that needs renovation. If you make the home beautiful looking but don’t address the foundation issues, it won’t last very long and will eventually deteriorate causing financial stress and safety hazards. However, if you address the foundation, the people who move into the house may not know about the foundation being fixed but they will reap the benefits of it for several generations. I believe as we grow we must pay attention to every detail and take into account what’s needed for long term. Smart growth is effective planning, prioritizing, and execution. The way a county or city looks and functions is a direct representation of its leadership.

County Commission, District 21 

The District 21 forum was not held because Jerry Allbert declined to participate. Here are written responses from David Shelton.

What is your stand on getting our community caught up on school construction funding?

Shelton: We have been behind on school construction funding since the 1980s, and I fully support any and all funding for the needed new schools. As I understand it, once Kirkwood High School is finished in 2023, we will still have all eight of our high schools completely full, and still overcrowded. We must be more aggressive on building new complexes. We may need to start looking south of Clarksville for new land since major growth is expected in that region in the next 20 years after 101st (Highway 374) is completed.

Other than schools, what Montgomery County agencies/departments are most in need of better funding and support?

Shelton: From my perspective, our volunteer firefighters are amazing. We need to make them fully paid firefighters and give the kind of training that will lead to a professional fire department that’s on par with our Sheriff’s Department, which also needs more support. A professional firefighter team will also lead to lower home insurance premiums throughout the county. We must do better overall with ADA compliance. I have had a profound hearing loss since birth, so I’m keenly aware of what it’s like to have special challenges. We shouldn’t have to be sued to do the right thing.

What’s your definition of bad growth, as opposed to smart growth?

Shelton: With so much of our local economy in Montgomery County driven by the real estate and construction industries, growth is necessary for the health of any county. However, nearly every neighborhood along Exit 8 — on both sides of I-24 — has been riddled with major problems. Limited access to these subdivisions on treacherous roads demand attention. Smarter growth is when we stick to our planned growth areas before changing zones. Hereford Farms and Turnberry Circle are two neighborhoods I’ve seen that were planned and executed pretty well. As Clarksville continues to grow, it impacts the entire county.

For more

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.

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.

MORE: Election news and announcements in Clarksville