Published in Radford News Journal on May 18, 2016
Now that the City elections are over, can we expect to see some real changes for Radford? In my opinion, our City Council has been failing us. We as a City, continue to fall further and further behind our neighboring counties due to a lack of action. If you need a proclamation, you have come to the right place. But change an Ordinance such as the Litter Ordinance, Meal Tax Ordinance or increase the Cigarette tax to match the surrounding localities and all I have heard is silence. There is no excuse for this lack of action. Nor is there any excuse for the silence to good, well thought out and researched recommendations that have been provided to the Council requesting changes. Not one person running for the City Council or a current member of the Council responded to my questions in the News Journal column dated April 9, 2016. Your silence has been heard loud and clear.
In the public forum held prior to the election, the candidates all agreed the problems Radford are facing are all due to the “economy”. I think they are all wrong. What else did you expect from me? How can you explain the success stories about Marion, Staunton, Clifton Forge, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Pulaski just to name a few? They have been and continue to be proactive. Radford is status quo and has been for years. Again, why the silence to good ideas? As I stated before, I believe a key to Radford’s future is extending the trail system through west end and ultimately to Little River. My recommendation was to have the Mayor and/or the City Manager contact Norfolk Southern about a rail to trail project from Glencoe to Riverview Park. Was any action taken on this important recommendation? Over 2,000 Radford University students graduated this year and we will never know what they liked or disliked about living in Radford. Such a shame!
When revenue slows, cost must be reduced. Radford should be putting in place a freeze on hiring and not replacing retiring employees with a goal on reducing City employee 3% to 5% for the next couple of years until the revenue increases and remain stable for some time. If revenue continues to fall, then the City residents might be facing an increase in their property taxes–a killer for economic growth. The 2016/2017 budget was just approved I had submitted several legitimate recommendations but I gather none were approved. There is another example where the Council is not a good steward of taxpayer’s money.
Radford Heritage Foundation has also been silent about the status of the Mary Draper Ingles statue. You would have thought the casting for the statue was going to be done quickly since the mold had aged so much. Another interesting thing I heard about the urgency surrounding the statue was Radford was afraid Blacksburg would want to erect this statue on the campus at VT where her journey started. I have not heard a word on any of my recommendations on how to make the Mary Draper Ingles project a success. A great deal of time and research went into those recommendations. If you recall, I also wrote a column on how to fund Cultural and recreational opportunities. Again, there is that word silence.
I think I would be remiss if I didn’t have a comment or two about the School Board. The first thing that concerns me is some of the recent decisions such as hiring consultants. One was hired to search for a replacement for the Superintendent’s position and another one was to tell them what they should already know or be able to determine within the school system. Another concern is the amount of time that has passed since the Armory was given to Radford and to the school system and no decision has been made as to what should be done with it.
Where is the voice of the Business leaders and Civic organizations? After all, we are all in this thing called Radford together.
Let me just throw out some other thoughts. Maybe the City Council form of government is not what Radford needs to move forward. Maybe changes are needed in some of the key positions that are directly tied to improving the revenue posture in Radford. Maybe the goals of the City leaders need to be more specific with check points that will ensure completion of those goals. Why can’t the Animal Control Officer develop a city wide plan to reduce the wild animal problems throughout Radford? Why can’t the City formulate a plan to keep Radford litter free? Why hasn’t someone in the City government discussed street appeal with some of the realtors in town? What else can they tell you about the problems they encounter when trying to sell property in Radford?
How hard can it be to move forward? There are plenty of examples out there. We just need a leader or leaders with proven records to get us off our butts and become results-oriented instead of hiding behind the “it’s the economy” excuse.
I would like to close with a short story. There is a little stop sign on the corner or Fourth and Berkley. One morning recently, the sign found itself in a very leaning position. The City was notified and put the little sign back in an upright position. A few days later the City came back and replaced the little sign’s post with a taller post. Another few days goes by and the City came back with two trucks and 4 men and added the street names to the top of the new post. The very next morning a neighbor of the little sign noticed one of the street names was incorrect. It said “Fifth” instead of “Fourth” and contacted the City. The City came back and now the little sign is happy again. Doesn’t that just bring a tear to your eye?
What do you think? (Silence is not an option)
Living In Radford, VA 