Mayor Kris Ockomon Interview September 2008

Mayor Kris Ockomon Interview September 2008

FINANCES:

* How is the city budget looking for next year?

Will be challenging. Have trimmed most of the fat. Economy is on the upswing. We're going to be ok.

* Anything new being put in place to help the city financially? Specifics?

Two installments from Casino are helping. Slightly lower than anticipated, but a nice shot in the arm for the city budget. 

* How do you choose the things which the city 'must have' when trying
to save money and get the city on the right track?

Prioritizing needs. Take care of citizens and take care of infrastructure. Balance those things. Feels like they're doing a good job at that.

INFRASTRUCTURE:

* How is work on Scatterfield bridge going? On schedule?

It's a state project. City maintains contact with them. They're pretty much on schedule.

* I read that the company that had planned on purchasing the old plant
20 building pull out of the deal, are there any other serious
inquiries for that building?

Several people have expressed interest. Out of state person did back out. Another serious offer. No specifics. Sale may be in progress. No details available and the process has been started. How long it takes depends on negotiations.

* I have a question about the Anderson Airport. Is there an update on
the work being done and when will Anderson Road (that goes around the
east and south side of the airport runway and connects to Mounds Road)
be closed to motorized traffic and turned into a bike path?

 Grant was just received to accelerate the trail process hooking Chesterfield to Mounds Park. That projectshould move along swiftly. Road will close to public by December of this year. City will be glad to get that one off the books.

BUSINESS:

*  Other than minimum wage jobs, are their any better paying jobs on
the way to Anderson?

Negoations in place for project on Southside. No specifics. Number of jobs could be as high as 300. Another meeting with the company this Thursday. Mayor feels we're right on target with what Anderson offers.

QUALITY OF LIFE:

* Has the city thought about any new ways that might help with social
problems - i.e. the drug problem, drunk drivers, child abuse, elderly
abuse, or domestic violence?

 Proactive policing, Weed And Seed.We want crime to be lower. Mayor's Commission on Domestic Violence. Two new programs - volunteers - Diversity and Problems in community - Julia Lewis (?) and Pam Stiers (?) - Mayor's Action Line. Can report things on the latter. Number will be published later this week.

* What are your thoughts on the crime watch program? Have you been
able to make any of the summer gatherings?

Block parties are successful. Chief Sparks and Crime Watch groups have been very active this summer. We have a good solid base from four years ago and they've come back to make the project work again. 

* are  there any programs on the back burner that they could try to
start doing to help our youth? have any been dropped because of
finances?

The Scholarship program has been postponed. A lot was going to be funded by gaming revenue. It looks like it will be fine so next Fall the Scholarship Program will start. Not a lot of details - if you work and live in anderson your kids can go to college in Anderson for free.

OPEN:

* Thoughts for Anderson and Madison County...

On top of City Hall. Magnificent Anderson University. It's a great city. Proud to be Mayor of the great city of Anderson.