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Wednesday, 04/04/07, article by
Heather Donahoe, Tennessean staff writer, Copyright © 2007
Tennessean.com
Q & A with City Commission
Candidate Richard Boone
Age:
46
Years in Brentwood: 19
Personal: wife, Donna, three daughters and one son
Occupation: radiological medical physicist and a soccer and
rugby coach
Interesting fact: "By day I take care of cancer patients, and
after work I coach kids who still think they're invincible. I try to
instill in them how fun life is and how short it can be."
Why should voters elect you?
"My only vested interest is to continue providing for the needs
of our community as well as our current commissioners have done, yet
also be open to some new ideas to get us to where we want to be in
15 or 20 years. The safety of our kids and creating a place for
those who want to stay here and not be priced out — those things are
important to me."
With build-out projected for 2016, how do you see the city's
leadership adapting to deal with the corresponding changes?
"I'm not sure we couldn't do a better job of promoting tourism.
We're hearing a lot about the Town Center development, and that
could be a way to draw people in here. If our hotels were full on
weekends, that would increase the commercial tax revenue, which is
something we're going to need more of in the next few years when
residential growth slows down."
Nearly everyone wants to preserve the city's famous "scenic
views" and green space. What fiscally responsible steps can be taken
to facilitate this?
"Brentwood is pretty green as it is. We have quite a few parks,
obviously. There's always the option of someone donating land to the
city or the city purchasing land, like the Turner property. I've
been told the city commissioners could vote for this and not have to
put it to a referendum, but if we make that decision, it could raise
taxes. The question then would be, how much of an increase would we
be looking at? It's not a 'yes/no' question. It's a gray area."
The Town Center development hasn't yet come to fruition. Is it
a good idea? If so, how does Brentwood make it happen?
"One of the most important things with Town Center will be to
have ample and accessible parking for people who want to go there,
park and walk around. You're not going to want to park three blocks
down, and walk all the way up. How Town Center is physically laid
out and its accessibility will be key."
What, in your opinion, has been Brentwood's biggest blunder
since incorporation?
"I'm not here to pick on anyone's mistakes. I'm just trying to get
the best out of what's left." |
