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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 Joe Sweeney
Age:
79
Years in Brentwood: 38
Personal: wife, Maureen, and
four grown sons and a daughter
Occupation: Brentwood mayor and
retired Shell Oil executive
Interesting fact: "A lot of
people don't know what a close-knit family we are. We raised our
kids that way. We told them, 'You are Sweeneys. Your God and your
family should be your everything.' "
Why should voters elect you?
"I've served them faithfully and
ethically for 34 years. I'm sure they know they can trust me. I've
run nine times and won nine times. If that's not a vote of
confidence, I don't know what is. They say you haven't lived until
you've loved, and I have three loves: my God, my family and my
Brentwood. I want to continue my love affair with the city."
With build-out projected for 2016, how do you see the city's
leadership adapting to deal with the corresponding changes?
"The people are very satisfied
now. In our survey for the 2020 Plan, 92 percent of people said they
were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of life in
Brentwood. To toy with what people are satisfied with could be
negative for the city. We have to keep an open mind to change, but
also continue with what has worked for so long."
Nearly everyone wants to preserve the city's famous "scenic
views" and green space. What fiscally responsible steps can be taken
to facilitate this?
"Right now about 13 percent of the
city is in open space. That's not too bad, but we should keep our
eyes open and seize every opportunity — maybe by getting a
fundraiser going or talking to a landowner about donating his
property and using it as a tax write-off. Open Space Residential
Development has really helped us save a lot, too. We suggest, when
possible, that builders donate space in their developments, like in
Sonoma, which has 43 acres of green space."
The Town Center development hasn't yet come to fruition. Is it
a good idea? If so, how does Brentwood make it happen?
"We have top-flight investors
interested in helping us develop it, and in my opinion, it's going
to happen sooner than later. We're trying to build one or two
parking garages, which is important. Why is it important? We don't
have a true center of town. There should be a focus place for the
city, a place where people can gather. "
What, in your opinion, has been Brentwood's biggest blunder
since incorporation?
"Honestly, in 34 years, I can't
think of a blunder. I wouldn't believe it myself if I wasn't active
in it. I think that's a tribute, not only to the City Commission,
but also to our staff. I do wish we could have afforded to hire a
professional city manager sooner than we did." |
