presstalk 671-TALK

• It seems to me that Bill Johns, a fine Farragut resident, has the best idea about the election coming up. Ron Williams, he’s an alderman on the Board, and he’s a fine man. But we need to elect (Alderman) Bob Markli as mayor because Bob Markli is the best hope we have to avoid a property tax on residential houses in the next four years — and maybe eight years. We need to face that fact. … I would encourage everyone to vote for Bob Markli.

• I’m wondering if the Town of Farragut has a plan to address the decaying and eyesore properties that are in the Town of Farragut? I’m speaking specifically of the old Ingles building, the old Kroger building and the Phillips 66 building.

• I was interested in the presstalk comment on June 14, 2018, from the person that had a restaurant and was upset that the (Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen) did not (levy) a tax on hotels and motels to pay for the tourism and advertising and bring more business to their establishment. Why don’t we raise the taxes on restaurants to pay for that additional advertising? According to their argument, (a restaurant tax) would cost restaurants nothing. I think that Farragut should look at cutting back on spending: $60,000 for the branding; the (spending) on renovation on (Campbell Station. Inn/Russell House) at Campbell Station and Kingston Pike, which is costing a fortune; and other things like the park expansion, $6 million for McFee Park expansion alone. These could be areas for cutting spending. I think that the current BOMA, that has not met a spending opportunity that they do not like, should think about ways to curtail spending. A change in the leadership of the BOMA might be what we need.

• I would like to commend the Town of Farragut for a great job on the sidewalk extension along Virtue Road and Kingston Pike. It was a lengthy project, but it sure turned out very nicely and it looks good. Thank you for completing the sidewalk.

• I wanted to thank (Farragut Mayor) Ralph McGill for two good terms as mayor. We greatly appreciate his leadership — an example for the Town of Farragut and the community. His wife, Marianne, is a great leader for Farragut as well. We’re all thankful for their service to our community. Ralph and Marianne McGill are great Farragut residents and leaders.