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Harry S. Truman
Since 7/14/10
Year To Date Louisville Citizens Association
Steve Dixon Letter: Make a difference by voting today
Originally published: August 05. 2010 3:01 AM
Last modified: August 05. 2010 12:14AM
Dear Editor,
During these challenging times it is easy to get caught up in the negative talk about government and lose sight of the positive impact that citizens can make. I wanted to share a positive situation in Louisville.
The town has been criticized for years for lack of services and control by a small interest group. Last year, the aldermen of Louisville addressed this and created several citizen committees to encourage citizen input in the town’s finances, operations and policies.
The aldermen created a “Finance and Administration” citizens oversight committee. Citizens now review every element of the town’s finances monthly in an open meeting.
To improve the town’s responsiveness and efficiency, some part-time staff positions were combined into a full-time town administrator. This provided regular hours and made the town more responsive to all officials and citizens. This idea of letting taxpayers have oversight and input over the expenditures was not readily accepted by the mayor and long-term leadership. Change did not come easily.
The aldermen who fought to open up the town’s government were victimized by personal attacks, rumors and false accusations.
A weekly flier circulated misinformation of tax increases, excess pay and excessive spending. They even sued the town to block mandatory diversity on a town commission.
Citizen involvement and a new open-door policy moved forward despite these obstructions. A town website was established to inform the citizens of all official town activities and financial matters. It is www.louisville-tn.us. The result of new citizen oversight and administrative leadership in Louisville is a success that speaks for itself!
The town just closed its fiscal year far below budget. It even lowered operating cost below the prior year. Despite the recession, the town ended the year with the largest reserves in the town’s history. It is projecting its first budgeted surplus in the town’s history. Plus the town is providing more services than ever, building a new community center/town hall and improving roads and parks.
The town now will save for improvements instead of the financing recommended by the mayor. It is now required to maintain a mandatory reserve fund. The town is developing its first five-year financial plan and is rewriting its obsolete regulations to conform to state code. The result is no debt or no taxes for the citizens of Louisville while improving services. We now have the largest number of citizen involvement in the town’s government in its history. The committee members and aldermen who do this are unpaid volunteers. Louisville’s elected officials make the final decisions, the same as any other government bodies but citizens are included instead of ignored. Voting is important but hands-on citizen involvement makes a difference.
Taxpayers can reduce government cost by getting involved. Citizens working with elected officials and staff can help to control government spending while determining what services are truly important. Vote, then get involved, you can make a difference!
Steve Dixon
PO Box 130
Louisville, TN 37777
Recent Email from Alderman Steve Dixon
Can you help get the word out?
The town has a few openings on some boards. I though I would let you know and see if you might know someone interested in participating. Help positive people do positive things. Meet some neighbors and help your community.
Some Board and Committee openings are:
BEER BOARD - This board is a low demand board that only meets infrequently. They are responsible for issuing and monitoring beer permits to business that want to make, store, distribute or sale beer in the town of Louisville, including retail stores and restaurants. We have just rewritten their charter and there is a couple of new openings. We need to increase minority and gender participation on this board if possible. It is appointed by the BMA, now. A background in law, substance rehab or entertainment industry would be beneficial.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD - This is a low demand board that has one opening. It reviews new commercial buildings, government buildings and subdivisions entrances to insure that they meet the new town standards. It is BMA appointed. A background or interest in architect, landscaping, environmental engineering or real estate would be desirable.
Both of the above board perform a very important function but do not require a lot of time.
There are also two Committees that have a vacancy, they are:
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE - This committee is involved in the town communications and has one opening. They are the gatekeepers of the town web site and public communications. They are also involved in assisting other committees promote town events or official activities. They also play a role in town image and community relations. This committee provides an opportunity for a person to be as involved as they wish. The committee currently has outstanding computer expertise on it but could use a member with background or interest in marketing, art or public relations.
PARKS & RECREATION - This is a very active committee and has one opening. The current membership is diverse. The committee oversees the towns parks, recreational development and community activities and town events. They are currently developing a five year plan. Persons with recreation or event planning backgrounds are needed. Currently being discussed are sports fields, 10K, bicycle rally and fishing tournament.
PLANNING COMMISSION - There is one opening but this is appointed by the mayor. A female or minority with a planning background is desired.
Persons interested in these committees can contact me or any Alderman or Chairman or go to the towns website http://www.louisville-tn.us/ for more information.
We encourage new citizens to get involved. We need people with diverse backgrounds to get involved. Please circulate this to persons who live in or own property in Louisville.
Thank you for your help!
Steve Dixon - Alderman
Originally published: August 05. 2010 3:01 AM
Last modified: August 05. 2010 12:14AM
Dear Editor,
During these challenging times it is easy to get caught up in the negative talk about government and lose sight of the positive impact that citizens can make. I wanted to share a positive situation in Louisville.
The town has been criticized for years for lack of services and control by a small interest group. Last year, the aldermen of Louisville addressed this and created several citizen committees to encourage citizen input in the town’s finances, operations and policies.
The aldermen created a “Finance and Administration” citizens oversight committee. Citizens now review every element of the town’s finances monthly in an open meeting.
To improve the town’s responsiveness and efficiency, some part-time staff positions were combined into a full-time town administrator. This provided regular hours and made the town more responsive to all officials and citizens. This idea of letting taxpayers have oversight and input over the expenditures was not readily accepted by the mayor and long-term leadership. Change did not come easily.
The aldermen who fought to open up the town’s government were victimized by personal attacks, rumors and false accusations.
A weekly flier circulated misinformation of tax increases, excess pay and excessive spending. They even sued the town to block mandatory diversity on a town commission.
Citizen involvement and a new open-door policy moved forward despite these obstructions. A town website was established to inform the citizens of all official town activities and financial matters. It is www.louisville-tn.us. The result of new citizen oversight and administrative leadership in Louisville is a success that speaks for itself!
The town just closed its fiscal year far below budget. It even lowered operating cost below the prior year. Despite the recession, the town ended the year with the largest reserves in the town’s history. It is projecting its first budgeted surplus in the town’s history. Plus the town is providing more services than ever, building a new community center/town hall and improving roads and parks.
The town now will save for improvements instead of the financing recommended by the mayor. It is now required to maintain a mandatory reserve fund. The town is developing its first five-year financial plan and is rewriting its obsolete regulations to conform to state code. The result is no debt or no taxes for the citizens of Louisville while improving services. We now have the largest number of citizen involvement in the town’s government in its history. The committee members and aldermen who do this are unpaid volunteers. Louisville’s elected officials make the final decisions, the same as any other government bodies but citizens are included instead of ignored. Voting is important but hands-on citizen involvement makes a difference.
Taxpayers can reduce government cost by getting involved. Citizens working with elected officials and staff can help to control government spending while determining what services are truly important. Vote, then get involved, you can make a difference!
Steve Dixon
PO Box 130
Louisville, TN 37777
Recent Email from Alderman Steve Dixon
Can you help get the word out?
The town has a few openings on some boards. I though I would let you know and see if you might know someone interested in participating. Help positive people do positive things. Meet some neighbors and help your community.
Some Board and Committee openings are:
BEER BOARD - This board is a low demand board that only meets infrequently. They are responsible for issuing and monitoring beer permits to business that want to make, store, distribute or sale beer in the town of Louisville, including retail stores and restaurants. We have just rewritten their charter and there is a couple of new openings. We need to increase minority and gender participation on this board if possible. It is appointed by the BMA, now. A background in law, substance rehab or entertainment industry would be beneficial.
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD - This is a low demand board that has one opening. It reviews new commercial buildings, government buildings and subdivisions entrances to insure that they meet the new town standards. It is BMA appointed. A background or interest in architect, landscaping, environmental engineering or real estate would be desirable.
Both of the above board perform a very important function but do not require a lot of time.
There are also two Committees that have a vacancy, they are:
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE - This committee is involved in the town communications and has one opening. They are the gatekeepers of the town web site and public communications. They are also involved in assisting other committees promote town events or official activities. They also play a role in town image and community relations. This committee provides an opportunity for a person to be as involved as they wish. The committee currently has outstanding computer expertise on it but could use a member with background or interest in marketing, art or public relations.
PARKS & RECREATION - This is a very active committee and has one opening. The current membership is diverse. The committee oversees the towns parks, recreational development and community activities and town events. They are currently developing a five year plan. Persons with recreation or event planning backgrounds are needed. Currently being discussed are sports fields, 10K, bicycle rally and fishing tournament.
PLANNING COMMISSION - There is one opening but this is appointed by the mayor. A female or minority with a planning background is desired.
Persons interested in these committees can contact me or any Alderman or Chairman or go to the towns website http://www.louisville-tn.us/ for more information.
We encourage new citizens to get involved. We need people with diverse backgrounds to get involved. Please circulate this to persons who live in or own property in Louisville.
Thank you for your help!
Steve Dixon - Alderman
