Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Addressing Rumors With Facts
Today I would like to join the conversation about some topics that are popular in our 
community right now. While I can’t respond to every rumor, or comment on Facebook, there are a few matters that should be clarified.
Four County Commissioners were absent from the July 9 special session that proposed a wheel tax referendum September 1. The measure failed by one vote, and proponents of the referendum – including myself – were disappointed with the results.
Because of that, my four colleagues on the commission have taken a great deal of “heat” from the public. In their defense, I’d like to share what I know about their absences.
Phil Hood, who represents the 5th District, was on a vacation that he informed our office about several weeks ago. He and his wife made sure he would be here for the July 28 regular session when they made reservations and purchased airline tickets. The wheel tax referendum vote was held at a special session that was not scheduled until about a week before it occurred.
14th District Commissioner Nathan Keeton helps coach his son’s baseball team, which was in tournament play in Dickson, Tennessee. As a parent and grandparent, I would have understood if Nathan simply wanted to go watch his son play, but as a coach he had a real responsibility to be there.
Commissioner Brandon Brown represents the 4th District and works as a lineman supervisor with Lawrenceburg Utility Systems. On Thursday, July 9, a Journeyman Lineman made contact with a 7,200-volt power line and was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital’s Burn Unit. Brandon was at Vanderbilt with the lineman and his family, which was exactly where he should have been.
Ronnie Benefield, who represents the 9th District, has not made me aware of the reason for his absence. Let me add that absences are not uncommon, especially for special sessions that are planned only days in advance. It is difficult, if not impossible, to plan events for 18 people and have no conflicts at all.
Another subject is the Amish, and the taxes that they pay – or don’t pay. The Amish DO pay property tax, business tax, sales tax, and the county’s solid waste fee. They are NOT exempt from the property tax because they have church services in their homes. Those who own businesses are also responsible for paying personal property tax on their supplies and equipment.
The Amish do not pay wheel tax because it only applies to motorized vehicles. This rule was established by the state, and would require revision by the state. If it was changed, everything pulled behind a motorized vehicle would be subject to the wheel tax, including trailers used to haul lawnmowers, boats, and four-wheelers.
I also want to talk about economic development. Critics charge that we should not have spent money to establish Team Lawrence Commerce Park, or to build a spec building there.
The truth is that the new industrial park cost Lawrence County very little. A grant from the state, matched by in-kind work performed by Lawrenceburg Utility Systems, got the land just north of the city limits certified “deal ready” with the state of Tennessee. That means all utilities are present and the surveys, environmental studies, etc. are done and the lots are ready for construction, right now. This saves time for prospective industries and makes us more attractive to them.
Because Team Lawrence Commerce Park was ready, Fed Ex chose it as the location for a multi-county distribution center. The new facility estimated adding 50 new jobs, and is also a great selling point for industrial prospects. Manufacturers need to move things, so having Fed Ex in the neighborhood is a good thing.
The state grant that paid for groundwork at the park came with the requirement that our community build a spec building. That has been done . . . by the City of Lawrenceburg, not Lawrence County government. There are other available buildings that we are marketing, but having one with the 40’ eaves that many manufacturers now require is a great bonus. Several prospects have come to tour the facility; we just can’t talk about specifics because no industry wants its competitors to learn their plans.
Finally, let’s consider the job market. Everyone wants more higher-paying jobs in this community, but we must be prepared for them – even for those that are available now.
Almost every issue of the local newspapers includes job openings at our hospital and long-term care facilities. There is also a need for welders, who earn a very good living. The county’s trucking firms are desperate for Class A CDL drivers. This job requires two years’ experience with a national carrier, but after that sacrifice (and we make them for good opportunities) the driver can return to Lawrence County and a job that pays 40 cents plus a mile. The earning potential is upward of $50,000 a year, or more.
I appreciate the fact that people are talking about the issues that affect us. I just hope we will stop and consider the facts before we start a discussion.
