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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 Bill Youree
Age:
59
Years in Brentwood: 20
Personal: wife, Cyndee, and two grown sons.
Occupation: community leader
and retired healthcare executive
Interesting fact: "I'm very
much into ballroom dancing. About four years ago, my wife talked me
into going to a studio for lessons, and it has turned out to be
something we really enjoy doing together."
Why should voters elect you?
"I have a unique set of
qualifications, both as a business executive and a proven community
leader, unmatched by the other candidates. I have the business
skills to understand the financial side of the city's operation, and
I have the negotiating skills that are essential for a city leader."
With build-out projected for 2016, how do you see the city's
leadership adapting to deal with the corresponding changes?
"We're going to be moving
gradually into a phase where redevelopment will become more
important than development. It will be incumbent on city leadership
to deal with redevelopment. The rapid increase of tax dollars from
sales tax and property taxes will slow down, and city spending will
have to accommodate those changes."
Nearly everyone wants to preserve the city's famous "scenic
views" and green space. What fiscally responsible steps can be taken
to facilitate this?
"I'd like to see a long-range plan
that identifies opportunities for preservation of green space and be
open to alternatives, such as landowners donating land to the city
for conservation easements, the use of land trusts and creative
funding through the collaboration of private citizens, corporations
and government grants. Once our green space is lost, we can never
recover it. It's a precious commodity, and it deserves our
attention."
The Town Center development hasn't yet come to fruition. Is it
a good idea? If so, how does Brentwood make it happen?
"A Town Center development project
has to be economically feasible and has to be feasible for the
community. I would work with any interested parties in making that
area more attractive and a more viable tax revenue base, but I am
concerned about traffic congestion and how a mixed-use property
could impact the quality of life in Brentwood. It's certainly a
concept that has been extremely successful in other cities, and it
presents the opportunity for new sales and property tax revenues
coming in from south Nashville and other surrounding areas."
What, in your opinion, has been Brentwood's biggest blunder
since incorporation?
"Today, when you see the huge
success of Cool Springs and the money it generates, some people say
that should be in Brentwood. On the other hand, I don't think we
should be going back to the past and questioning leaders and the
decisions they made. I think we should be focused on the future and
going forward." |
