Another year has come and gone on the mountain. Here's what your elected officials are saying were the biggest accomplishments in 2013, as well as what town goals should be in 2014.
Signal Mountain
The town of Signal Mountain's Planning Commission stayed busy in 2013, passing new, conservation-friendly subdivision regulations as well as approving Jack Kruesi's planned unit development Wild Ridge at Fox Run.
Councilman Dick Gee and Councilwoman Susan Robertson both named these as some of the town's biggest accomplishments last year, but they include a challenge. The groundbreaking for the 199-lot Wild Ridge came just in time for Signal to be announced as the best town in which to live in Tennessee. The continued growth of the community, however, could pose future problems.
"In 2014, I think we need to continue to evaluate how much and how rapidly the mountain community is growing," said Councilwoman Annette Allen. "Are we growing too fast [or] too much? Can the schools handle more students? Can the road up the mountain support more traffic? Will the additional taxes from new houses pay for the increase in manpower required to service the new residents?
"The challenges will be to get reliable answers to our questions, to identify legitimate options for the town and to engage the community in discussing those options," she continued.
Gee also noted that the "successful transition" from former Town Manager Honna Rogers to current Town Manager Chris Dorsey was also a significant accomplishment in 2013.
"[Dorsey's] experience and knowledge will be very beneficial to our community," said Gee.
Both Mayor Bill Lusk and Robertson prioritized the construction of a new public works facility for 2014, with funding as a major challenge.
"We desperately need to construct a new maintenance facility to replace the aging and decrepit Quonset hut that has been in use for decades," said Lusk.
"It's my hope that in 2014, the town will cut the ribbon on a new facility that can adequately and efficiently serve the citizens of the town," Robertson said.
Walden
In 2013, the town of Walden took significant steps toward recreating the town center at the property of the late Martha McCoy, said Mayor David Epperson.
"Our goal for 2014 is to begin the actual construction and renovation of the property to be able to move our operations there to have a presence on the site," he said. "By doing this, the citizens of Walden will be able to derive the maximum benefit in the use of this beautiful property.
"Our challenge will be to keep the progress going in a timely fashion that will allow us to meet the occupancy goal," Epperson continued. "Once we occupy the site the residents of Walden will be able to better take advantage of what can be done and accomplished in the use of the grounds. It will be a town center that is unique and attractive for a town of our size in the state."
Vice Mayor Bill Trohanis also noted that Walden is closing 2013 debt-free and didn't raise citizen taxes.