City Council Candidate Q&A – Terry Thomas

News

Friday, 02 August 2024 09:07

Each candidate running for public office was asked to answer a set of questions for publication.
Below are answers from candidates running for Scottsboro City Council Place 1.

1. What do you see as the biggest issue facing our city, and how do you intend to solve this problem?
There are multiple issues facing our city but the one that visually stands out the most are areas of town with structures that are a threat to the health and public safety of the citizens of Scottsboro. I propose working with those property owners and the city attorney for a viable solution to rid these areas of these health and safety risks.

2. What are your plans to address eel grass in non-residential areas throughout the city’s public access points and waterways?
Being a boater and fisherman, I know eel grass doesn’t just affect non-residential areas, it affects everyone utilizing or living adjacent to the waterways. I propose working with TVA to implement a program with would include the removal of the eel grass with minimal chemicals (after all we are drinking this water)

3. What kind of paving plan would you implement if elected?
A paving plan should include the City Engineer travelling to every street and categorizing the worse streets to the best and then reporting to the mayor. Once these reports are completed the council should set aside funding and authorize public bids to start repaving the worse streets first.

4. How would you ensure that the city junk ordinance is enforced, as many citizens report not knowing who is responsible for enforcing it or who to contact with a complaint?
I propose Scottsboro have a dedicated ordinance enforcement office with jurisdiction to enforce all junk, abandoned property ordinances. I propose the city have a dedicated advertising system for public use (phone, website) to report these violations. Once complaints are received, investigated, and presented to the city attorney the city should act in accordance with the law.

5.Currently, girls’ softball is played on outdated fields in poor condition with facilities that are not ADA compliant. What will you do to make their facility comparable to the boys’ facility, Veterans Field? Do you support modernizing the city’s facilities to compete with surrounding cities to host girls’ softball tournaments?
Having been a volunteer coach with Scottsboro Parks and Recreation, our youth and parents’ safety should be our number one concern. I see Bynum Park as being outdated and in poor condition needing immediate attention. I propose funding be sought and secured through grants and the updating of the complex thus making it ADA compliant and safe for our children and visitors. I would propose a dedicated sports director oversee contacting various sporting entities and scheduling tournaments. Once completed, our city could be host to numerous sports tournaments which would bring visitors to our great city and tax dollars back to city coffers

5. Currently, girls’ softball is played on outdated fields in poor condition with facilities that are not ADA compliant. What will you do to make their facility comparable to the boys’ facility, Veterans Field? Do you support modernizing the city’s facilities to compete with surrounding cities to host girls’ softball tournaments?
Having been a volunteer coach with Scottsboro Parks and Recreation, our youth and parents’ safety should be our number one concern. I see Bynum Park as being outdated and in poor condition needing immediate attention. I propose funding be sought and secured through grants and the updating of the complex thus making it ADA compliant and safe for our children and visitors. I would propose a dedicated sporting events coordinator oversee contacting various sporting entities and scheduling tournaments. Once completed, our city could be host to numerous sports tournaments which would bring visitors to our great city and tax dollars back to city coffers.