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Jon W. Waliga I would like to take this opportunity to share some information about myself and my candidacy for City Councilman:
I am a retired Military
Veteran with 21 years service in the United States Air Force and
Tennessee Air National Guard.
I am the recipient of two
National Defense Service Medal for service in the original Desert
Storm gulf war and service on the Southern Watch at Al Jabar Air
Base in Kuwait.
I am the proud father of
three beautiful girls: Heather Jo Waliga is 24, an honors graduate
from the University of Tennessee and the Weekend News Anchor at News
Channel 14 in Charlotte. NC where she is employed with Time Warner
Cable. Abby Nicole Waliga is 15, a Sophomore at Hardin Valley
Academy where she maintains a 4.0 GPA while playing First Chair
violin in the orchestra and knocking heads on the rugby field. And
of course, Olivia Grace Waliga, who is two days old and looking
forward to turning the rest of her Daddy's hair gray.
I have been a resident of
the greater Knoxville area for the last 20 years and settled in the
Historic Hill District of Lenoir City five years ago with my
beautiful wife Melissa. We are both proud to be active in the
community and call Lenoir City our home.
I am the Sales Manager
for Quality Machine and Welding Co., Inc. in Knoxville where I have
been employed for the past 15+ years. Being responsible for $27
million in sales annually and keeping food on the tables of 130
families gives me the confidence that the fiscal challenges facing
the city government are well within the scope of my qualifications.
I am the chairman of the
Lenoir City Beautification Board. Along with Susie Strunk, Sally
Solomon, and Freda Burnette the board is totally dedicated to
enhancing and promoting the preservation and revitalization of our
city's historical assets.
I am not a career
politician nor do I have deep family ties in the Lenoir City area.
I'll let the voters decide whether this is an advantage or
disadvantage for their choice of city leaders.
I have two main visions
as a City Councilman. PROMOTING PROGRESS and PRESERVING COMMUNITY. I
am the city's biggest proponent of the revitalization of our
downtown historic business district. This area is the "Root Ball" of
our community and I look forward to, once again, making it a
bustling center of commerce that we can all be proud of.
I am also dedicated to
the continued, yet controlled, growth of industrial and commercial
development of our city. This growth is mandatory to keep our
community competitive, on a state wide and local basis in attracting
new business, jobs, and residents to enhance the growth of our tax
base. As all of you are well aware, there are two ways to increase
tax revenues. Through continued growth and development or by raising
rates. I, for one, am not thrilled about the thought of paying
higher taxes. Through aggressive, yet controlled, growth our city
can continue to prosper while avoiding the "Tax Rate Gremlins"
In closing, I cannot
promise you that I will be the best Councilman that Lenoir City has
ever had. This is an impossible commitment. I cannot promise you
that I can be all things to all people. I'm just a little more
realistic than that. And, of course, I cannot promise you a job
working for the city. That would be immoral. All that I can offer is
that I will give 110% for my voters in using the gifts and
qualifications that God has blessed me with to represent my
constituents.
Early Voting Starts Oct. 15th.
I hope to see everyone at the polls.
Jon W. Waliga
Candidate For Lenoir City
Council
Council Candidate Jon Waliga's responses to News Herald questionnaire What is your background? : I am a retired Military Veteran with 21 years of service in the United States Air Force and Tennessee Air National Guard. I am the recipient of two National Defense Service Medals for service in the original Desert Storm gulf war and service on the Southern Watch at Al Jabar Air Base in Kuwait. I am the proud father of three beautiful girls: Heather Jo Waliga is 24, an honors graduate of the University of Tennessee and the Weekend News Anchor at News Channel 14 in Charlotte, NC where she is employed by Time Warner Cable. Abby Nicole Waliga is 15, a sophomore at Hardin Valley Academy where she maintains a 4.0 GPA while playing first chair violin in the orchestra and enjoys knocking heads on the rugby field. Olivia Grace Waliga is the newest addition to our family. At 3 weeks old she’s in charge of turning the rest of her Daddy’s hair gray. I have been a resident
of the greater Knoxville area for the last 20 years and settled in
the Historic Hill District of Lenoir City five years ago with my
beautiful wife Melissa. We are both proud to be active in the
community and call Lenoir City our home. I am the chairman of the Lenoir City Beautification Board. Along with other board members, the board is dedicated in enhancing and promoting the preservation and revitalization of our city’s historic assets.
What
is your opinion of the controversy between LCUB and Elm Hill/Wamplers
regarding utility fees and how do you think this matter should be
resolved? : I must admit that I am not fully educated on the legalities of the controversy, however, as a business leader, I am aware of the fact that, if a long term, strategic growth plan had been in place, LCUB would not be looking to the Wampler businesses to solely finance the much needed upgrades to our infrastructure. Proactivity in lieu of reactivity is desperately needed to lead us into the future. At this point, we need to find an amicable way to resolve this issue without risking the loss of one of Lenoir City’s oldest and best employers. I would suggest that, in lieu of spending our money on outside legal counsel to prepare for future litigation over this matter, we use the attorney that the city has on staff to revisit the contractual agreement with the Roane Co. Business Park and TDEC to see if there is any way to alleviate the stress caused by the 750,000 gallon / day allotment, of which, only a small fraction is actually being used. 4.)
How do you feel about the plans for the new city
facilities and how they should be funded: In lieu of the city purchasing land and pursuing the financing and construction of such facilities on their own, the facilities need to be constructed as an integral part of a larger, privately developed, Town Center type development. This type of development would result in a winning situation for the city government as well as it’s tax payers by getting the city into it’s new facilities faster and cheaper, generate much needed, new, property tax revenues, generate new business and jobs, as well as allow the city to keep it’s liquid assets in tact for other concerns. As part of the development agreement package, the city would enter into a long term lease/purchase agreement with the developer allowing the city to acquire equity and eventually ownership of the facilities without increasing it’s debt ratio and depleting it’s cash reserves while enjoying the benefits of increased revenues. 5.) What is your opinion of the growth in the city – both residential and commercial: First off, from a growth plan standpoint, you cannot separate the two types of growth for analytical purposes. They must go hand in hand and work harmoniously together. That being said, I have addressed most of these issues in my previous response so I will try to reiterate without redundancy. In addressing the influx of retirees to the area, more affordable retirement communities are needed to cater to this group. A very small percentage of retirees are in a position to spend $500K-$1Million in their retirement years for housing in The Village, or Rarity communities. Affordably priced, active adult communities are required to sustain continued growth of this group. In return, the community will prosper through continued commercial growth, more jobs and an increased tax base. 6.)
What do you believe is the most pressing problem facing
Lenoir City and how would you propose that the problem be solved?
: Jon W. Waliga Candidate For City Council |