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Remarks
“As the City Council looks to a future of rapid and extensive growth in Oak Ridge, I will focus on continuing the city’s support for our public schools, on ensuring that our residents have the affordable housing we need, and on building community relationships – among the faith, nonprofit, business, education and civic communities - so that all are engaged for the good of the community. When we say that Oak Ridge is moving forward, it has to mean that ALL of Oak Ridge is moving forward.”
race
African American
When I came to Oak Ridge in 2014 to serve as pastor of Oak Valley Baptist Church, my immediate vision was for us to be a premier community for young families and retirees alike. Having worked tirelessly as a community leader to manifest this vision, I was unanimously appointed to the City Council in July 2018 and ran unopposed for the 2-year unexpired term that November. I successfully completed the unexpired term and was reelected in 2020. I am seeking reelection this year (2024) to continue building on the momentum we’ve gained as a Council in the critical areas of economic development, affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and the development of a walkable, mixed-use downtown area.
When I began serving on the City Council, Oak Ridge was actively involved in several infrastructure projects that included but were not limited to utility and accounting software upgrades, the Gateway project, the completion of Blankenship Field, and the CSX Rails to Trails project. During my time on the Council since 2020, we’ve effectively addressed the most urgent infrastructure needs that have arisen, which were the design and construction of a new 16 million gallon per day, $60 million water plant and piping system as well as a series of major roofing projects: The Public Works Service Center, the library, Robertsville Middle School, the 1010 Building and portions of the High School. Additionally, we brought several public areas of Oak Ridge into ADA compliance.
The most urgent infrastructure improvement needs for this election cycle include the following (not a prioritized order): 1) a new school for the rapidly growing West End, 2) an acceptable solution for the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter, 3) continued work on street improvements and ADA compliance, and 4) continued investment in affordable housing. There is also an urgent need to determine the best course of action with regard to the Oak Ridge pool, a treasured asset of the Oak Ridge community.
Oak Ridge is currently experiencing exceptional economic and community development, as well as making progress toward the establishment of a prominent downtown area. That said, we can create family-friendly neighborhoods and activities by sustaining momentum in the following three areas: 1) affordable housing, 2) infrastructure improvements, and 3) the development of a walkable, mixed-use downtown area.
Affordable Housing- Due to significant areas of residential growth like the Preserve, Harbour Pointe and Forrest Creek (Rarity Oaks), we are projecting hundreds of new homes over the next few years. It will be critical for the City Council to ensure this growth is sustained. It will be just as important to ensure we don’t price new, younger families out of the city. It does no good to invest in notable attractions for younger families if they can’t afford to live here.
Infrastructure Improvements- see previous question on infrastructure, as these are vital for attracting younger families and supporting existing residents.
Development of Mixed-Use Downtown- Our “economic endgame” must be a walkable, mixed-use downtown area. Per one global economist, our greatest hinderance to attracting new, younger families has been the lack of a mixed-use downtown area. So, using the City Blueprint as a basis, we must prioritize economic development that communicates the vision for our downtown area to potential investors; demonstrates commitment to that vision and collaborates with partners to ensure that both concerns of the community and needs of developers are sufficiently represented. Additionally, we must make it a priority to bring several public areas of Oak Ridge into ADA compliance and identify a safe public space for our youth and young adults to hang out.
I would address these priorities by continuing to build strong working relationships that foster healthy, solution-oriented dialogue.
My response to this question is forthcoming, as I am awaiting a reply that contains essential data for the response. I chose not to delay my submission further as I awaited this information.
Given the exceptional growth that we are experiencing in Oak Ridge, my top priority in addition to the ones listed above, will be to ensure disadvantaged and disenfranchised citizens are beneficiaries of the growth as well. To do this, I would continue leveraging my unique role as a pastor, councilman, and community leader to keep the faith and non-profit communities informed about city activities and engaged in community conversations. Additionally, I would continue to serve as a strong voice for equity and justice. As I often say, “When we say, ‘Oak Ridge is moving forward,’ I want us to mean that all of Oak Ridge is moving forward.”
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