There's one thing the four Fort Oglethorpe mayoral candidates agree on, it's that growth is coming to their city.
"Fort Oglethorpe is just exploding with growth," said candidate Lynn Long. "It would happen in spite of whoever is in there."
The key, he and others agreed, is how the growth is managed.
They diverge over how to promote the city's growth, deal with it and control it.
Long, former Mayor Judd Burkhart and former City Councilmen Richard Egeland and Harold Silcox arerunning in the Nov. 2 election to replace Ronnie Cobb, who died in August. Fort Oglethorpe has a part-time mayor who earns $10,500 annually. The mayor presides over the council meetings but does not vote except as a tie breaker. A city manager runs day-to-day operations.
Each candidate predicted continued commercial growth on Battlefield Parkway and a huge surge in retail and businesses on Cloud Springs Road.
Egeland, 57, said he wants growth but "not just splattered around." He said he would like to see a skating rink and other family entertainment come to the city. He said the mayor must play an important role in marketing the city to businesses.
VOTING SCHEDULEAbsentee in person: Oct. 12-22Early voting: Oct. 25-29General election: Nov. 2Source: Fort Oglethorpe Elections Office
"You want smart business coming in - one that will bring in sales tax revenue, not taking tax breaks," Egeland said.
Silcox, 70, is also cautious about growth.
"With growth comes some problems, also, and when growth starts you've got to protect your existing community," he said. "You can't start laying asphalt and concrete where it's going to affect people who are already here."
He said stormwater runoff is a particular concern and noise pollution must be considered.
"You wouldn't want to put something that's going to make a lot of noise back up to three houses," Silcox said.
Burkhart, 63, said the city's plan has been to build sewers first, then grow from there. He said that should continue to be a priority.
"Sewer is infrastructure," said Burkhart, 63. "Without that, you have no economic development."
He said he would strive for a "business-friendly" city and try not to "overburden ourselves with ordinances that may stop growth."
"I don't see any type of bad growth," Burkhart said. "I see any kind of growth as a positive."
Long, 66, also said sewers will be a key.
"We've got sewer; we've got the infrastructure - it's going to happen," he said.
Long sees growth coming to Cloud Springs and Mack Smith roads and predicted the eventual need for a bypass on Dietz Road.
Divided on incentives
None of the four was enthusiastic about using incentives to entice businesses to build in Fort Oglethorpe, but some said site preparation work, similar to what Catoosa County did for the new Costco on Cloud Springs Road, or tax breaks will be necessary.
"You've opened a can of worms with the incentives and those are going to have to be there in the future," Long said.
Silcox said the city and county must be careful not to "go overboard."
If businesses "really want to come in, they'll work with you," he said.
Burkhart doesn't see a need for any additional perks, saying the city is already a desirable location with schools, infrastructure and quality of life.
"I think that those things are enough incentives," he said.
Contact Andy Johns at ajohns@timesfreepress.com or call 423-757-6324.