Deputies' Happy Valley home
“We do a lot of ribbon cuttings, but this one is very special,” Walker County Chamber of Commerce President Lacey Wilson said.
Special because the ribbon cutting was for a long awaited Walker County Sheriff’s Department North Satellite Station — a precinct house.
Special too because bringing a highly visible precinct is physical evidence of a strengthening partnership of an area’s elected officials, businessmen and residents.
“This is a big win for this community,” said David Roden who six months earlier had helped organize the Wilson Road Neighborhood Group.
Sheriff Steve Wilson said the need for a precinct in the Rossville area has been known for years. Since about 2007, the sheriff said he and Commissioner Bebe Heiskell have talked about opening such a facility.
Heiskell said adding a precinct to the county tax office on McFarland Avenue was considered, particularly when that office was replaced in July 2013. But the county’s property was deemed too small for use as a tax and tag office as well as a law enforcement outpost.
While a precinct was postponed, the idea — and need — never went away.
When the Wilson Road Neighborhood Group formed this past spring, one of the first issues discussed was how to combat crime. Discussion turned to action when businessman Chris Carlton offered rent-free space at his office complex that is near the union of Wilson and Happy Valley roads.
“I’m so pleased with
a profit; recruiting new industry and supporting the expansion of our existing industry.
Our citizens are our greatest asset. Many of our policies have come from their ideas. Our farmers and agribusiness is one of the most important factors in the Walker County economy. We must listen to our farmers and help them with legislation that supports their needs.
I will continue working with our Chamber to be proactive in bringing in new businesses for our economic development.
Q: How can you improve governing a county that often seems to operate as four independent municipalities without regard for one another?
A: The One Walker organization that consists of each of our four municipalities, the county, and the Chamber, meets and discusses issues that affect our government. Although it is in its early stages, I am hopeful that it will become a good conduit for cooperation between our communities.
I look forward to additional communication efforts between our municipalities and encourage consideration of future savings and dependability of services by sharing equipment, services, and facilities.
Q: For years, Walker County has had some of the lowest tax rates in the state. No one enjoys paying taxes, but everyone wants services. How can the public receive the services it expects while holding the line on tax hikes? How can you make a difference?
A: We do have good services. I am proud to hold the line on expenditures, and although our services do require revenue, the county is especially mindful in the use of taxpayer funds, and lessening the burden of taxes is a constant priority.
A proven option we use is applying for state and federal grants to regain state and federal taxes funds we’ve paid to enhance our community with facilities, equipment and services we could not otherwise afford.
An option to consider is that if T-SPLOST for single counties that is eligible to be placed on a county ballot after July 17, 2017 were passed in Walker County, it would put as much as $3 million additional dollars into transportation services and projects in Walker County and we could reduce our road department budget and still have some of the best roads in the state.
Another option to consider is a consolidated fire department (all four cities and the county), such as Catoosa County has. We could eliminate the fire fee, pay fire department expenses out of the general fund, lower the ISO rating countywide and increase the number of paid firefighters to more efficiently cover our communities, saving lives and property.
Also, staying in touch and working with our congressional and legislative delegations will gain their help and support with projects to enhance our community.
How can I make a difference? It is my honor to serve at the will of the citizens of Walker County. And it is for each and every hard working, tax paying citizen that I will continue by every mean and avenue to hold the line. This is my calling, my joy. The people of Walker County have my heart.