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Candidates Forum brings differences to light
Posted: Thursday, March 31, 2011 11:08 pm
Candidates Forum brings differences to light | Brentwood City Commission, election, politics, brentwood home page, brentwood tn news

From left, Bert Bosse, Jill Burgin, Betsy Crossley, Anne Dunn, Rod Freeman and Brenda Lehman at Tuesday's Candidates Forum in the city board room.

Event available 24/7 via internet; daily on TV 
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
Over the course of 90 minutes Tuesday night, the six Brentwood City Commission candidates worked to separate themselves from their challengers and, to a large degree, did.

Unlike a candidates forum the previous week when few deviated from the party line, Bert Bosse, Jill Burgin, Betsy Crossley, Anne Dunn, Rod Freeman and Brenda Lehman came to Brentwood Municipal Building prepared and ready to win the vote of both those attending and those who watched, or will watch, the  forum on the city’s website or its public access TV Channel 19.

The forum was sponsored by the Brentwood Woman’s Club and moderated by Charles Dibrell of WAKM-950 AM. Questions were posed by representatives of Brentwood Home Page, The Tennessean’s Williamson A.M. and The Williamson Herald.

The candidates answered a wide range of questions. They were asked what they would propose to make up for a possible loss of up to $2.5 million if the state make changes to the Hall Income Tax; how they felt about rezoning of residential property for commercial use; and what can be done about state and local roads jammed packed by people who must come through Brentwood to get almost anywhere.

The best way to learn about the candidate's answers and discern who you think best would represent you on the city commission is to view the forum in its entirety at 10 a.m. or 8 p.m. daily on Channel 19, or anytime online at www.brentwood-tn.org/streams/ (click on “Other Videos” then “Candidate Forum 03-29-11”).

Below is a compilation of the candidate's remarks and thoughts on several of the questions asked. Other responses will be in upcoming Brentwood Home Page stories planned before the May 3 municipal election.

  Bert Bosse Jill Burgin Betsy Crossley Anne Dunn Rod Freeman Brenda Lehman
Opening remarks Citing his 30 years as a business owner, with a MBA in finance, "I have the skills and discipline to work a city budget and manage an efficient operation."  Wants to present herself as "a unique combination of a younger resident who has a vision for our future but also remembers and respects the history of Brentwood."  An incumbent who tied for fourth place in the 2007 race, "I will tell you that every vote does count" She asked: "Please cast one of your votes, one of your four votes" for Betsy Crossley. Citing her experience as a commissioner since 1990, "I've thoroughly enjoyed every minute of service to this city." "What I bring to the table is business leadership. 
" ... I'm well-equippped to be a commissioner."		 An attorney and business owner, "I bring a practical knowledge and level of understanding to the position of commissioner."
Term limits for commissioners? For
"I would not want to be up here more than eight years. ... It's important to have some fresh blood, some new ideas, some younger people."		 Against
"Every election period we have term limits. ... If someone's not happy with  someone's service, every election cycle they have the opportunity to vote in a different representative."		 Against
"It's based on service to the community. ... If they're busting their behind to do the best job they can...then that person should be voted back in again.		 Against
"If you have a constant turnover of commissioners, eventually the city manager and the staff are the ones running everything."

For
"We've got a lot of talented people in this community and, personally, I'd like to get more people involved. So I'm a term limits guy."

 For
"I am in favor of term limits.
"It brings bright, new ideas to the commission. ..."They can be healthy to the community."
With city's population now at 37,060, is it time for zoned representation?

Against

"I think it's good for us to represent the city as a whole."

 

Against

City-wide representation "helps you to eliminate any kind of area-centric decision making."

Against

"You're always going to have a tug of war ... with who gets what, who gets more, who gets it when."

Against

"When you have district representation, you're accountable to a very small group."

 Would consider
"You could spend more time with your constituents that way. ... "It might get more people out to vote."		 Would consider

"It would guarantee that residents actually have a voice on the board."
On sharing city's portion of possible increased sales tax revenue over next five years to help fund county schools. "Can't totally answer that," noting possible cuts to other revenue to city, such as sales tax on food and Hall Income Tax. If county's other municipalities agree to share their portion, she would support the plan. "If you want to see your property values fall quickly, continue to underfund the schools." Noted city's annual donation to Brentwood-area public schools.
On sales tax issue, "We would certainly sit down at the table and listen."		 County officials, "need to step up to the plate first. They are in charge of the schools." Cited lack of information from the county on the proposal. After five years, would sales tax stay at 9.75% and if so, what happens with the money?  "We have a vested interest" in keeping schools strong. 

"Education is vital," but would not agree to the sales-tax sharing proposal. Money instead should be held in city's discretionary fund until it's clear what it's needed for.
How available will you be to constituents and what will be your preferred mode of communication with them? Sharing he had just learned the job comes with a city-issued computer, "We can't hide from you."
"...If you email me, I respond."		 Saying she will treat this as a full-time job, "I would only ask that if you won't call me at 1 a.m., I won't call you at 1 a.m. ... "But you can send that email at 1 a.m. and I might reply at 5 a.m. when I get up." While prefering "face-to-face communication," she admitted to being a tech geek.
"I like any kind of communication possible."		 "People who go to the polls and vote, they do expect that you can at least return a phone call or you can return an email."
 "Believe it or not, I know how to use email now and I'm even learning how to to text. Will I be available? Yes. That's my job." Sharing she's always had an open-door policy with her business clients, she would plan to do the same with citizens.
"I have my phone number on everything."

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Member Opinions:
By: Dave on 4/1/11
I think its important to consider each candidate as an individual AND as a team member. The make-up of the next commission should be a good mix of personal and professional backgrounds, capabilities, age, gender, and interpersonal skills.

My selection is Dunne, Crossley, Burgin, Bosse. Two commission veterans, one of whom will leave next term and both work their roles full time. Burgin would also do this full time, she has a young family perspective and knows a lot about the city government and schools with her background. Bosse is the business guy who has been a huge volunteer over many years...very unselfish of his time.

The other two are qualified, but they constantly whispered and laughed to one another during the first debate while other candidates were talking. There is a touch of conceit in each of them and I don't think they bring freshness and new ideas to the commission as will Bosse and Burgin.

My view, for what its worth.

By: MidTn37027 on 4/2/11
Bert Bosse has given countless hours to our community over the years. He'd make an excellent Commissioners with his experience and love of Brentwood.

By: tnjayhawk on 4/5/11
Having known Brenda Lehman for many years, I can honestly say that she has my vote for several reasons. First is her integrity. She is the type of person who weighs the options, and always tries to do the right thing first. Second is her desire to give. Brenda is generous to people in her community in both time and resources. Third is her skill set that she brings to the table. She has had years of experience in reading contracts and dealing with legal issues. Finally, she has conservative values. I'm excited that she's running as she has a young family and will bring a fresh perspective to the council. My best wishes to all of the candidates. It is a talented pool.


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