Published: October 13, 2008 06:19 am            

Five Burnside candidates share their views

Local News

The Burnside City Council has seen plenty of shake-ups in recent years, though familiar faces seem to constantly rise to the surface.

Two years ago, for instance, councilors Becky Huff and Jimmy Gibson were elected — after having taken the previous two years off. Before that, the two were on the council under former mayor Jim Rasnick ... who was elected to the council after he stepped down as mayor, replaced by former councilor Dean Lovins ... who is now running again to serve under current mayor and former councilor Chuck Fourman, who has two years remaining on his term.

Got all that? Now try this on for size — only three current Burnside councilors are in the hunt again this Nov. 4, when six of nine available candidates will be selected to two-year terms on the city council. Rasnick, Richard “Dic” Gaskin and Brian Watson will be seeking re-election, while Huff, Gibson and David Brummett have opted not to do so. Lovins is on the ballot again, as are fresh faces Curtis Ray Brinson, Ron Jones, Amanda Mullens, Eddie Phillips and Craig Richardson.

All nine were given the opportunity to respond to a Commonwealth Journal survey regarding their candidacy, and five returned their thoughts on how they can help guide Burnside — a city which holds much of Pulaski’s economic well-being in its hands, thanks in particular to the waters of Lake Cumberland — into the future. Below are their responses:



1. Why do you want to serve as a Burnside City Councilor, and how are you qualified to be a member of the council?

Ronald Jones: I have been in business all of my adult life and know that city government is a form of business. I think my vast business experience along with my long-time residency in Burnside will be greatly beneficial to our city and its people.

Dean Lovins: Having lived in Burnside for 33 years and having served three terms on City Council and one term as mayor, I feel that I am qualified to serve again.

Amanda Mullens: I want to be able to take pride in where I live. I have lived here all of my life.

Jim Rasnick: My desire to serve the citizens of Burnside is verified by the fact that I have served this community for the last seven years in various capacities to include serving on Planning and Zoning Committee, serving as City Councilor and serving as Mayor. Just like you, I am a resident of our fine city and I want to use my talents to continue to improve the quality of life for all of us by making Burnside the “Pride of Lake Cumberland”. In addition to my city government experience, I have been a director at 3M Company as well as a local business owner, which uniquely qualifies me for this position.

Craig Richardson: Having grown up in the community, I would like to have a voice in the direction the town is going. I want to to make sure the best interest of the citizens is always considered, from how their money is being spent to insuring the city’s infrastructure is being well-maintaned. I feel I am qualified, having spent several years in the Burnside Fire Department and approximately 12 years with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. I have been in public service for most of my life, always trying to help people with any issue they might have.

2. What are the most important issues the City of Burnside is facing today?

Jones: Getting the cost of our water and sewer bills lowered; keeping our city clean and safe; making sure our tax dollars and all revenues are well-spent and accurately accounted for; and allowing all citizens an opportunity to express their concerns and opinions.

Lovins: To continue the progress in Burnside that we have had the past four years. In this period of time, we have gotten city sewer, a new library, a new fire house under construction, a new shelter and upgrade at Cole Park, as well as several new restaurants and businesses.

Mullens: The cost of living issues and adequate financial reporting.

Rasnick: As I see the issues facing the city today, there are three major areas we need to focus our attention. The first is to complete the city-wide sewer project by installing sewer service to the remainder of Cumberland Heights, Lakeland Estates as well as General Burnside Island State Park. As more customers are brought on-line, the financial viability of the sewer project becomes a reality. The second issue is to continue to grow so we can improve the services to our citizens and this is accomplished by annexation. Obviously, we want quality growth at a minimum investment in city services. And the last issue is to continue on a path to improve the infrastructure of our city to include sidewalks, streets, signage and buried utilities which will improve the safety and aesthetics of our city.

Richardson: A major concern of the citizens and myself is the sewer system. We must address the cost and maintenance issues that have developed with the currently-installed system before continuing on with the remainder of the project. The police and fire departments need to be maintained and well-funded. The people of Burnside deserve to have a voice at the council meetings. I would like to see improvements on the city’s appearance. We live in a beautiful area and with a little care, it would be even more attractive to consumers.

3. Do you or do you not favor the 2004 restaurant referendum which allowed Burnside’s restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages, and why?

Jones: The serving of alcoholic beverages in our restaurants has been put to the vote twice. The people have spoken. My personal thoughts do not matter. We live in a democracy where the majority rules. My goals and responsiblities are to serve my constituents.

Lovins: Yes, I do favor the restaurant referendum that was voted in in 2004, as I did when we were working to get it voted in. It has allowed Burnside to more than double our tax revenue without increasing our property taxes, and since all revenue from alcohol sales goes to our police department, it has enabled us to buy new police cruisers as well as to hire three additional police officers.

Mullens: Even though I don't drink, I favor the referendum, because the revenue would help reduce the cost of living in Burnside.

Rasnick: Yes, I am definitely in favor of the restaurant referendum which has allowed the City of Burnside to improve its services to us, as citizens, as well as improve the infrastructure of the city. Since our city has adopted the restaurant referendum, we have increased the city’s revenues by almost three times.

Often times, in the past, we did not qualify for grants to improve our city as we did not have funds to match these funding opportunities. Since the restaurant referendum was adopted, we have funded completely or matched grant money to secure new playground equipment for Cole Park, new water line replacement for old Burnside, provided land for the new library and for the new fire station, purchased new police cruisers/equipment and hired two additional police officers. In addition, we lowered the city property tax rate in 2007.

Richardson: My opinion on this issue is the town voted in favor of it, and if I’m elected, I feel it’s my duty to uphold the voice of the people of Burnside. I do feel that restaurants should be held accountable to uphold the strict standards that the law requires for the sale of alcohol and make sure the taxes that are collected from these sales are going to the proper places to ensure the improvement of our city.

4. How would you seek to keep tourism on Lake Cumberland strong considering the Wolf Creek Dam crisis and its effects on the lake level?

Jones: I will devote my expertise in getting the state to do the earlier promised widening of our Main Street, to acquiring the state lodge, to repairing and maintaining the swimming pool at the island, to provide more youth activities and recreational areas; and to help local businesses in their attempts to attract the tourists.

Lovins: With the tax revenue from our restaurants, we have established a tourist commission, which, under the leadership of Dona Howard, has done a great job of bringing more tourists to this area.

Mullens: An update in advertising and get business owners to advertise as well.

Rasnick: We have an excellent opportunity to improve tourism on Lake Cumberland, especially on the Burnside end of the lake with the proposed development of a lodge on General Burnside Island State Park. The new lodge and restaurant along with the just completed renovation of the golf course will provide the amenities that tourists are looking for on the lake. Since the state park is in the city limits of Burnside, the project along with the potential developers need a “pro” business city government that they can work with to make this project a reality. This is a unique opportunity which will allow Burnside to become the preferred tourist destination point on Lake Cumberland.

Richardson: I would like to see the Tourist Commission and the city council work hand-in-hand in improving tourism in our city, such as bringing the Catfish Festival back. Citizens I have talked to seem to miss this opportunity to come together as a community. It is a wonderful chance to invite outsiders to come see our town and meet our citizens, as well as give our local businesses a chance to show what they have to offer. I also think that the construction of a new lodge on General Burnside Island would not only add to the newly renovated golf course, but would also improve tourism.

        

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