The Lakeland BOC (Board of Commissioners) has two seats up for election this fall. The BOC is the legislative body for Lakeland and is comprised of 5 seats. 4 commissioners and one mayor. There are 3 candidates running for those two seats. Commissioner Wesley Wright (running for re-lection), Mr. Jim Atkinson and Mr. Scott Carmichael.
As in years past, Lakeland Currents reached out to the candidates with questions we feel Lakeland citizens are interested in learning more about. Below you will find the unedited answers from the candidates.
Early voting in Lakeland begins October 14 and election day is November 3, 2020.
Please make sure and scroll for all candidate questions and answers. It is long but we want to add as much insight as possible.
Commissioner Wesley Wright
https://wesleyalanwright.com/index.html
Q: What is your background and credentials?
A: I grew up in Memphis in a Christian family and received a public education in Memphis at Snowden Junior High and Overton High. I was accepted into the University of Tennessee Knoxville and earned a BA in History. My studies along the way include architecture and design, religion, and cinema studies as well.
Following undergrad I attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned an MA in philosophy. I served as a youth pastor in Memphis while working my way through restaurant management and at the FedEx Hub.
I met my wife while attending Bellevue Baptist where my family still attends and I teach 1-3 grade children’s worship. While my wife and I were starting a family I earned a second MA in education. I taught for several years while nurturing a landscape business. For the last 11 years I have grown my business, raised two children and and as of October 20th celebrate 13 years of marriage with my wife Joyce.
Q:What are your short term (5 years) vision, goals and challenges for the City of Lakeland?
A: 1. To gather together a cross section of Lakeland residents to form a Lakeland 2040 Vision committee that will lay out a roadmap of what Lakeland wants be over the next 5 years and beyond. 2. To rectify decaying road surfaces so that in less than 3 years all Lakeland streets in need of paving have been addressed. 3. To see Parks and Rec grow to both serve residents and maintain a sustainable and marketable environs for a great variety of sports, and tournaments which brings multiple upsides. 4. To focus development efforts at the Canada @ I-40 exit with a heavy emphasis on upscale restaurant, retail, office, and hotel facilities. Thereby expanding our sales tax base to supplement financial needs elsewhere and lower our property tax burden. 5. To continue improving safety and security measures for all of Lakeland. Flock Safety, raised walkways, and more.
Q: What are your long term (25 years) vision, goals and challenges for the City of Lakeland?
A: To make sure we have established a stronger stance on conservation, walkability, upscale design and implementation, and controlled growth. We need to maintain a top performing school system and meanwhile keep Lakeland unique, financially strong and forward thinking.
Q: Do you support commercial growth projects like the Lake District in the City of Lakeland?
A:I’ve been the biggest proponent for The Lake District and its success knowing its potential. Its ability to provide Lakeland upscale restaurants, retail and services is transformative not only for the experience it provides but the positive financial implications. I believe the best location for commercial projects of that caliber are at the Canada and I-40 exit. 64 needs an overhaul and could use more upscale design and development that elevates and compliments Stonebridge and Woodland Park.
Q: Did you support a full K-12 school system in Lakeland? If so, how will you support Lakeland Schools moving forward?
A: Ever since my family moved to Lakeland I’ve supported a full K -12 system knowing that it would provide for the children of Lakeland a need, grant Lakeland stability, and offer many advantages that would not be present without a complete system.
Q: In the last couple of years, there has been discussion by some residents about de-annexing North Lakeland. Do you support this? Why or why not?
A: I have always been supportive of the desires of North Lakeland. I believe that is something that they would have to be given the opportunity to choose themselves.
Q: Dedicated athletic facilities for Lakeland Parks & Recreation have been in the works for a number of years. Tell us your vision for this project?
A: I believe we need to focus tremendous efforts in one place to expeditiously provide much needed fields and facilities. We must also be proactive and scout land elsewhere because it is something that is limited and costs of land continue to rise. Long term I think a Rec center with a pool and other sports amenities would provide citizens leisurely opportunities but also profit the city and provide jobs.
Mr. Jim Atkinson
https://jimloveslakeland.com/
Q: What is your background and credentials?
A: My wife, Christen, and I moved our family to Lakeland in 2014. We have three boys, ages 16, 14, and 12. The older two attend Arlington High School, and the youngest is in 6th grade at Lakeland Preparatory School. I am employed by A2H, Inc. as a land planner, which is an engineering and architectural firm located in Lakeland. My primary role as a planner is to advise cities on development and operational policies. I am a former City of Lakeland Employee. I began working for the city in 2005 and left for the private sector in 2018. Over almost 14 years, I held positions of Planning Director, Director of Administration, and City Manager. As City Manager, I was responsible for the day to day operation of the city.
I earned a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis. I also hold a Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management. My role with the city as a member of staff was to implement policies created by the Board of Commissioners. During my time, I saw first-hand how policy decisions affect city operations and the daily lives of the citizens; both good and bad. I’m running for Commissioner because I believe my experience would be a major benefit to the Board of Commissioners in creating policy that will improve city operations and the lives of our citizens.
Q:What are your short term (5 years) vision, goals and challenges for the City of Lakeland?
A: The most immediate need is to have a BOC retreat and create a vision for our city. There is a lot of very consistent talk about what the vision should be, but many of the city’s policies are not consistent with the desires of the citizens. Once the vision is
created, then the policies need to be replaced with those that are consistent with the vision.
Other priorities include finishing Phase 1 of the Athletic Complex, maintaining elevated funding for infrastructure maintenance, lowering fees paid by residents, maintaining low taxes, and paying down city debt, starting with the variable rate loan debt from the 2000s.
The main challenge over the next five years is infrastructure maintenance. The city experienced explosive residential growth in the 2000s, but the city did not provide for the maintenance of infrastructure during that time. Consequently, the city will be
required to commit elevated funding on an annual basis to bring our infrastructure to acceptable levels.
Q: What are your long term (25 years) vision, goals and challenges for the City of Lakeland?
A: Over the next 25 years, we need to strive for conserving our natural resources, responsibly managing our growth, recruiting business, planning for future schools, maintaining public safety, efficiently providing city services, and creating a vision that is
sustainable well into the future.
The vision will be the key, which is a step that I will sponsor immediately if elected; to create a shared vision for the future. Once the vision is created, then all policies must be updated or replaced to be consistent with the vision. The biggest challenges the city will likely face over the next 25 years are:
1. Ensuring infrastructure is planned and maintained at an appropriate level
2. Maintaining a proper mix of commercial and residential growth
3. Holding firm and demanding that high-value natural resources are conserved as development occurs
4. Maintaining outstanding public safety and identifying the threshold when County service will no longer be adequate to serve our growing city
Q: Do you support commercial growth projects like the Lake District in the City of Lakeland?
A: Absolutely! The large projects, such as The Lake District, should be limited to the area surrounding the I-40 interchange. Smaller neighborhood commercial areas should be located in small targeted nodes strategically located throughout the city.
The city must play a role in recruiting businesses to the commercial areas. The first step is to make sure that the elected body has a strong relationship with the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. All three bodies must share the same vision and work from the same plan so the city’s message is communicated consistently. The city has an existing marketing plan; implementation of the plan should be the focus of all three bodies.
A related issue is the development patterns of commercial areas within the city. Unfortunately, years ago the city started a pattern of strip commercial along Highway 70 similar to Germantown Parkway or Summer Avenue in Memphis. Currently, all the land
on the north side of Highway 70 from Creekside Manor to almost Seed Tick Road has already been approved for strip commercial. We need to stop this pattern. Highway 70 should have limited development along it in order to preserve its natural beauty. The only commercial should be in a node pattern with just enough commercial to serve the residents in the area. In addition, the city’s development policies currently encourage large scale, dense
commercial areas throughout the city. These policies need to be replaced so the high density commercial areas are limited to the I-40 interchange.
Q: Did you support a full K-12 school system in Lakeland? If so, how will you support Lakeland Schools moving forward?
A: Absolutely! I was the Planning Director when the school district was established, and became City Manager shortly before LMPS entered the planning and funding stages. I played a role in implementing the funding and construction plans to get the school
opened.
My view on most things comes from a management and operations perspective, and looking for the most efficient and cost effective solution to a situation. With the cost of construction consistently increasing, and knowing that the agreement with Arlington is temporary, funding the high school now using a USDA loan was likely the ideal timing to avoid the inevitable tax increase if the City would have waited a few more years.
Going forward, the city will of course maintain operational funding and debt service payments. The BOC must also engage the School Board and School Administration to understand the future needs of the district on an on-going basis, and begin long-term
planning to be prepared for future school needs that require BOC action.
We also need to celebrate the amazing accomplishments that Lakeland Schools have achieved in the district’s short existence. I think it is safe to say that high-performing schools will forever be the norm in Lakeland!
Q: In the last couple of years, there has been discussion by some residents about de-annexing North Lakeland. Do you support this? Why or why not?
A: I do not support de-annexation of North Lakeland. Here are my two main reasons:
- Because the annexation was done through a referendum, it would be legally challenging to reverse it.
- If de-annexation did occur, the residents of North Lakeland would still be responsible for paying their share of debt incurred by the city. So, the residents would not receive services from the city, but would still be paying taxes to the city.
I understand the desire for some residents to want de-annexation. It is clear that the annexation in 2004 was fraught with problems. First, the residents were promised no property taxes, yet everybody at city hall knew at that time that it was not sustainable to continue with no property taxes. Second, the residents were promised that North Lakeland would be protected from development and would keep the rural atmosphere. Yet within one year of annexation, the city adopted the Comprehensive Plan that called for high density commercial, mixed use with apartments, warehouses, and suburban style residential subdivisions in North Lakeland. Third, there was no public works staffing or equipment added to account for the additional land area annexed, making it impossible to maintain the city’s newly acquired roads and ditches.
Policy changes are necessary to protect the rural way of life in North Lakeland. I pledge to sponsor the necessary policy changes.
Q: Dedicated athletic facilities for Lakeland Parks & Recreation have been in the works for a number of years. Tell us your vision for this project?
A: Phase 1 of the Athletic Complex needs to be completed immediately. Funding has been allocated for years and grant funds have been secured. It needs to be finished. Additional steps include:
1. Revise the master plan for the athletic complex to account for the actual build-out of Phase 1.
2. Mitigate the remaining wetlands on the site to enhance the developability of future phases.
3. Develop a funding plan to account for construction of future phases. All funding plans should anticipate applying for the next round of LPRF grant funds to offset the city’s cost.
4. Develop a comprehensive sports and recreation plan to dictate how the park will be used, and which programs should be expanded. The current fields at city hall do not allow the programs to grow, which will change with the opening of Phase
1 and subsequent phases to follow.
Mr. Scott Carmichael
https://www.electscott2020.com/
Q: What is your background and credentials?
A: US Naval Academy graduate with 26 years of active duty in the Navy. Master of Science in Operations Management, University of Arkansas. National Sales Manager Data Capture Solutions for 23 years. Lakeland Commissioner (1997-2001), Lakeland Mayor (2001-2013), Lakeland DRC/MPC (1997-2013 and 2018 to present – 18 years). Adjunct professor Southwest Tennessee Community College & Belhaven University.
Q:What are your short term (5 years) vision, goals and challenges for the City of Lakeland?
A: Preserve the quality of life in Lakeland. Managing the city’s debt and having a balanced budget. Recruiting quality business and commercial developments that blend with the community and increase revenues. Continue supporting the Lakeland School System. Enforcing all of our ordinances and regulations including the Tree Ordinance. Enhancing the parks and recreation in Lakeland.
Q: What are your long term (25 years) vision, goals and challenges for the City of Lakeland?
A: Preserving the quality of life in Lakeland. The city controlling growth not being controlled by growth. Making sure developers pay the full cost of development. Making sure long term strategic and financial planning is taking place. Long term planning on public safety and fire protection.
Q: Do you support commercial growth projects like the Lake District in the City of Lakeland?
A: Short answer: Yes. I believe in responsible growth, with developers paying the cost of growth. Our emphasis needs to be on quality development that increases revenues and that does not negatively impact our current residents and businesses, including the costs to the environment. Developers must pay the full costs of development, including the infrastructure costs required by the development.
Q: Did you support a full K-12 school system in Lakeland? If so, how will you support Lakeland Schools moving forward?
A: I fully support K-12 school system in Lakeland. Providing a superior education to our children is one of the best investments a community can make. Good schools attract and retain families.
I will work with the Lakeland School Board to ensure that the quality of education remains at the highest standards and meets the needs of our students.
Q: In the last couple of years, there has been discussion by some residents about de-annexing North Lakeland. Do you support this? Why or why not?
A: All of our annexations have been by a referendum vote allowing for the residents to vote on whether or not they want to be annexed. North Lakeland was informed the city would not be able to provide many services like police, fire, sewage etc. and they voted to join the city of Lakeland. Even if they de-annexed, they would remain in Lakeland’s future annexation area. It is imperative that we work with North Lakeland to address the issues.
Q: Dedicated athletic facilities for Lakeland Parks & Recreation have been in the works for a number of years. Tell us your vision for this project?
A: I support the call for athletic facilities for Lakeland. With limited funds we need to be sure that we are able, with our city’s extensive debt, to afford to build/maintain these facilities and where possible utilize grant funds. We may be able to utilize a joint use agreement of the LSS fields in the meantime and we can explore getting a YMCA to locate to Lakeland. Eventually we should be able to establish our own facilities.
