City’s budget still tight

by Mayor L.B. Davis

It was a great night in Gallatin during the Thanksgiving weekend when people got together for the Christmas lighting ceremony. I want to thank all those involved in making it such a success.

As you probably know, your board of aldermen has completed the 2003 city budget. Although this budget is not perfect, it is a very good tool that helps direct decisions at city hall during the upcoming year. I very much appreciate the effort that our city administrator-clerk Kathy Arnold made in getting the budget to work. She’s very capable and professional about budget matters, and I am confident that we have a good budget for the aldermen’s use for 2003.

Fellow citizens, it is important that you urge your aldermen to work within the confines of the budget during the coming year. The temptation is always to spend more than we have. This past year, when we authorized $50,000 for street repair, we spent $50,000 of the $300,000 that should be held in reserve. We all agreed that the streets needed fixing. But reserves are earmarked for emergency expenses or critical expenditures that simply must be made regardless of the city’s financial circumstances. Gallatin’s reserves are already marginal; there is a risk whenever we spend down this reserve. And now, when you look up in the air from the business square, it’s obvious that our water tower needs to be replaced. Our water tower situation cannot be ignored. Yet, we do not have money in reserve to properly address the situation.

The City of Gallatin cannot take bankruptcy on the natural gas system. Alderman Schweizer has written many letters to this newspaper which you may have read. In his opinion, payment for the natural gas system is being done unlawfully. When he quotes particular legal statutes, I ask that you please take the time to read the law in its entirety — not a particular paragraph that he chooses to quote. When read in complete context, a completely different meaning will come forth. Everyone on the board is doing everything possible to run the city “up front and above board,” the way the city has operated in the past and the way it should be run. During these times when our nation sends our youth overseas so that we can live here free and in a manner as we choose, it’s important that our soldiers know we’re back here taking care of our hometown, making sure it’s a home they’ll want to return to.

Starting on Dec. 24, election time officially begins again. This year one board seat for both the east and west sides of Gallatin will become vacant along with the mayor’s position. It is my intent not to seek another term as your mayor. I hope that those of you who say you just don’t have time to serve on the board will reconsider. Again, if our young people can give the time to serve in the military to assure that we live free, it isn’t too much to ask that you give your time to take care of what we have here at home.

For those who cast ballots next April, please take the time to give plenty of thought about who you should support. The city fathers who oversee your taxes and your city services need to be qualified for that position. In times past, people filing for office have stepped forward despite problems in their personal life, including financial bankruptcy. This might lead you to ask if it would be hard for these same people to fully understand and help successfully oversee the city’s $3 million budget. Please make your vote count. Please know that when you cast your vote you support a qualified individual who will help the city through all of its problems in the years ahead so that our town will grow and prosper.

Recently, I have received comment regarding the city’s existing zoning ordinances. These ordinances were enacted to protect the value of your homes and property within the city limits of Gallatin. I ask that you contemplate this intent, and that you think of others when drawing your conclusions regarding a specific instance where our zoning ordinances are applied. What you build or put in any neighborhood does truly affect others.

Always remember, this town belongs to the citizens of Gallatin. Everything we do as city employees, everything you do as citizens of Gallatin, reflects on others. A thriving, progressive community depends on community involvement — your involvement. This requires more than just talking at the coffee shop. It means getting involved, even doing little things like fixing the guttering on a home or building or sending that old parked junk vehicle away. What you choose to do means something to everyone who lives here. Your efforts will be noticed and appreciated.

I know there are people here in Gallatin with much to give. Our town is made up of many, many hard working families that choose to live here. At the same time, there are local people going without. They could use some help from those of us with more. I urge you to contact people who know best how to help, like those at Green Hills Community Action Agency. With their help you can advance the Christmas spirit to those in need.

In closing, I want to thank the citizens and the city employees who have helped me during the past 6 years. There were many times, due to my personal endeavors, when I was unable to contribute as much as I might have wanted. But there were those who were there helping to assure that things got done, helping me with various accomplishments. I hope that in the future you will work with your aldermen — and do more than just voice a complaint. If you have an idea that you feel will advance the city, or if you see something happening that somehow doesn’t look quite right, get involved! Get on the telephone and call your alderman or the administrator at city hall— please, do get involved.