A special thank you to everyone who helped make Tuesday’s primary election a success.  Your support has been a vital “vote of confidence” in my calm, sensible approach to leadership.  I am proud to have the opportunity to represent you on May 4th ballot.  My resolve is as strong as ever and we need to gear up to win in the general election so we can have the consistency city council needs to find solutions to the challenges we face.  Over the next 8 weeks I will be focusing on communicating critical information about the big issues that will differentiate me from others in the campaign including: how to handle an historically difficult budget; specifics on how to support the struggling school system during these difficult times; and how to position Roanoke to emerge from this recession as a healthy and vibrant community through progressive thinking and creative problem solving.  I will also communicate how I will help City Council and our new City Manager re-tool economic development strategies to make Roanoke a very business friendly community where people chose to live, work and play!

As always, please reach out to me and share your thoughts and visions of our great city.

Thanks, Dave

Click below to hear a replay of the broadcast.

At this point, it seemed to me, the best option for the city — in the short term — was to maintain it as a golf course. By doing so, and by making some improvements to the infrastructure, we would have a five-year period to evaluate whether a municipal golf course could indeed be financially successful and a quality of life asset for our citizens — of all ages. I was part of a slim majority that voted to move in this direction. Requests for proposals were released to see what type of longer term management (five years) options would be available: how much would it cost the city yearly…or better yet what sort of revenue could we expect and how much capital improvement would be needed on the course to give it the best chance of success.

We are now at another, perhaps unexpected crossroads in the Countryside saga. There were very few responses to the RFP process and after months of negotiating, it appears there is no way the city can justify the financial support necessary to keep it a golf course — and with careful consideration the negotiated management options are simply not favorable over both the short term and longterm. This became especially clear in light of the city needing to table the vast majority of capital projects. Delaying countryside improvements- which were difficult to digest all along considering that it might only be a golf course for five years- made it almost impossible to negotiate a management contract that wasn’t too costly to the city.

This has been a difficult issue for Council — especially considering the emotional attachment to — and heartache about — the project.  Council truly wants to be open with citizens about why and how we got to this point. Both sides of this issue- land development and continuing as a golf course- were vigorously tried and ultimately failed. The time has come for the city as a whole to think about the future possibilities of this beautiful stretch of land — perhaps more greenways; an athletic complex attached to the greenway system; a wetlands preserve; selling of certain parcels for commercial development and certain other parcels for residential. A universally beneficial solution can come out of this. Current neighbors can still have vast stretches of greenspace that may enhance their properties even more than a golf course. The city can obtain more park space and badly needed athletic space. The greenway system can be enhanced. Perhaps some revenue can be brought back into city coffers by selling some tracts of the land.

I am sure there are many other options as well- so let me hear your thoughts!

Thanks, Dave

Anyone in the midst of a campaign usually has the wisdom to stay away from discussing possible tax increases. However, last week, I openly discussed the reality that considering the current state of the national economy and with the difficult budget decisions Roanoke City Council is facing, everything — including possible tax increases — should be on the table for open, public discussion. To suggest otherwise would be political posturing and not a sign of strong leadership.

As regularly reported in the media, cigarette, food & beverage, and lodging taxes are often the first to be considered. In Roanoke, the idea of a food & beverage tax has been discussed – and implemented — multiple times over the last few years. While I own two restaurants that employ over 55 people and even with our revenues are down at least 30% from previous years — I am willing to considering this tax. However, balanced, informed and responsible leadership suggests we need to weigh this in the larger context of the economic development picture – considering the number of restaurants recently closing and the need for job creation in this economy.

Roanoke City Council is in the very early stages of our budget process and a possible combination of tax increases should only be considered after a round of belt tightening and expenditure reductions are explored. We have a lot of serious work facing us, more than ever before. I look forward to leading these discussions and hope all members of council are open to public dialogue on all facets of the budget.

The issue of funding for schools is front and center as these discussions heat up and we search for solutions to the budget crisis. During my first term on city council, I have often been the leading voice expressing the reality that sacrifices must be made by citizens and businesses alike in order to ensure children are offered a strong foundation for success. I have also been vocal about the idea that our schools are our most important economic engine and are perhaps the most important measure of our success as a whole – stating that the best way to ensure a vibrant future for any community is to create a strong, educated workforce.

I look forward to exploring all possible solutions and intend to continue finding ways to improve funding of our school system despite declining revenues on the local, state and federal level.

Thanks, Dave

We are a few short weeks away from the Democratic Primary – the first election of this political season.  As a new political season begins and the rhetoric heats up, it is time to reflect about the role we play in our own future.

In a democracy, every candidate should be considered, every vote is critical — and should be counted. With the upcoming primary for Roanoke City Council, it is important to not only remind citizens to vote, but also to help inform citizens about all four candidates that will appear on the March 2^nd ballot. It’s important for citizens to ask themselves: What is best for Roanoke? Which candidates can work together to move Roanoke forward through these difficult times and into a promising future? Which candidates are reasonable, balanced and accessible? Which candidates genuinely listen – and more importantly hear – the voices of the people?

Every citizen in Roanoke has three votes in the primary on March 2^nd and their actions on that day will impact the future of our great city. I whole heartily encourage, citizens to exercise their rights and speak their minds by using all three of their votes on March 2nd. In the meantime, I remain committed to providing you as many avenues as possible to share your thoughts through interactive opportunities on Facebook (Dave Trinkle For Roanoke City Council), Twitter (Dave Trinkle) and here on my blog (www.DaveTrinkle.com). Please also subscribe to updates on these sites, as I will continue to share as much information as possible to help inform voters and remind citizens of the primary election.

Regardless of the neighborhood in which you live – I believe we can all agree we’re lucky to live in a democracy.  But a democracy depends the citizens to do their part.  It is up to us to manage our own future by paying attention, asking questions and taking action.  It’s up to us to decide who will be an effective and inspiring leader – then it’s up to us to go out and vote.

Please use one of your three votes on March 2^nd to elect Dave Trinkle for Roanoke City Council.

Thanks, Dave

I announced in early December my intention to run as an incumbent for Roanoke City Council. Now the campaign is heating up- so I need to devote my web-page to the campaign.

I started this blog about two years ago during my first term as an extra way that citizens can stay in touch with me. I do believe one of my better assets is my ability to listen and garner input as issues develop. The earlier elected officials get input the better and more informed the ultimate decision is. I have always picked up my phone, answer every email and try to be out in the community in various venues as much as possible. The blog does indeed add an extra dimension to this ongoing dialogue- citizens can hear my full view and rationale behind certain decisions (not just a convenient part of the story that other media sources focus on) and I can receive more informed feedback that may and has altered my position. Of course, I frequently get significant negatives that are helpful, some re-enforcing positives, and the occasional hostile feedback that really is not relevant at all to the issue- but that is all part of the process. In its entirety, the blog has been useful and fun for me.

The main problem with blogging has been my fault- I haven’t always been a regular blogger that is a pre-requisite to good blogging and my posts are frequently too long! Now as the campaign starts, I vow to do better and hopefully if re-elected can continue on a better blogging course for the next several years.

In December during my announcement, I focused on several important issues that make up my reason for desiring another term on Roanoke City Council. I have added a few, but in short order here they are:

• Continued support of Roanoke City Public Schools, including: meeting our commitment to increased yearly funding above our funding formula through 2013 and at that time a re-visit to the entire funding formula; a financial commitment to the Community College Access Program (CCAP); funding for better availability and access to School Nurses, Teen Health Centers and Occupational Health; improved joint services between the City and the Schools to cut costs; and consideration of one-time initiatives that may have a direct impact on outcomes such as graduation rates- including text book adoptions (particularly math) and summer programs. While our revenue and the State’s revenue continue to fall particularly short, it is my desire to attempt to keep the schools financially “whole” from the city side as we did last year but this may be harder and harder depending on actual revenue.
• Continue Regional initiatives- as Chair of both the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization I have a clear commitment to regional approaches to our needs including green initiatives such as Storm Water Management, Transportation- including Passenger Rail Service, and pursuit of funding for valley-wide improvements in roads and corridor planning, RIDE solutions programs, extended Greenways, and improved Bicycle accommodations. This along with support of Economic Development initiatives, improved connections with the New River Valley and continued focus on Air and Water quality initiatives that impact our entire valley will continue to be a special focus of mine.
• Continued incentives for Downtown Living and Downtown Redevelopment
• Continued Green Initiatives including business and rehab initiatives
• Continued focus on Library expansion and improvements
• Continued and timely focus on Capital needs of our Park and Rec system that will have a direct effect on quality of life, economic development and population growth
• Continued focus on the evolving Jefferson Street Corridor between Downtown and Carilion Clinic including our successful Trolley program, with planned expansion of the Trolley to other potential Corridors and Village Centers including Grandin Village
• A Balanced Progressive Perspective- a focus on improvements that impact daily life in All Parts of our City while realizing our tough Economic conditions. While this last summer, I supported a somewhat reduced Capital Improvement Plan that slowly phased in projects- albeit less than originally planned in previous Capital Budgets- given further reductions in Revenue over the last few months, it is clear in my mind that a further slowing of these projects is needed. I continue to support renovation of the Market Building as our Number One Project and believe we absolutely should move forward on this project with our proposed schedule but only after we have clearly spelled out what we can offer our Restaurants/Vendors in return for the inconvenience including incentives upon re-leasing of space. I believe we need to do this soon and move forward. While RFP processes can continue, I believe all other Capital Project Contracts should be put on hold for at least six months until we see where revenues land. This does not mean projects that have been slowly moving down the pipeline need to be stopped forever- just put on hold

I have learned a lot in my first term on Council. Things don’t need to happen quickly and more public input as early as possible is always best. Despite this some issues don’t get traction publicly until after decisions are made- hopefully this too can improve through blogging! I am excited about what I have accomplished and plan to address that in future blogs. I am also excited about the work ahead. I am the only incumbent running and as such believe I have much to offer. Having worked with our current council on the selection of our new City Manager I welcome the opportunity to work with him and, as Chris Morrill has stated, continuing the very progressive nature of our City despite tough economic times. We have indeed had much National Press recently about our progressive nature and how we continue to balance this with the serious fiscal needs we are facing, in my opinion,  will be helped with some continuity in a fairly young City Council. I hope to win over your trust and vote for both the March 2nd Primary and the May 4th General Election. Please start to post comments and I will begin more in-depth posts on each of these and more issues that we are all facing in the coming weeks.

Well- I got a post up, next one will be shorter!

What are your thoughts?

-Dave

Indeed much has changed in Roanoke during the past 4 years, from greenways expansion, flood control work, Trolleys on Jefferson Street expanding a vital economic corridor to the hospital and soon to open medical school, a new art museum, support of many arts and cultural initiatives, new high schools at William Fleming and Patrick Henry - with ON-CAMPUS stadiums and at Fleming a field house. We also have seen neighborhood village streetscape improvements, and plans for other improvements - including our all important Market Building, the Market parking garage and continued redesign and expansion of our library system as well as a redesigned Elmwood park anchoring one key entrance to our downtown and vital historic market.

But I have learned in my first term not to expect things to happen quickly - governments, even local governments, do not turn on a dime.  I’ve also learned that we need to pay attention to the entire city - its people and its places - all the important aspects that will continue to make us an attractive city for the people who call Roanoke their home.

With a new City Manger coming in, and many projects planned and underway throughout our city, there is a need for continuity and experience on City Council. A focus on economic development and a business friendly government that can get to yes a whole lot quicker is my immediate desire for our new administration’s focus. But Roanoke is a lot more than just the business side of government- it is about our people, our places and our every day quality of life. Both before and since being on council, I have been involved with our city in multiple ways. I am very much a people person- one of the greatest pleasures as a councilman is meeting people from all over our city- getting to know them, what is working for them and what isn’t. My day job involves listening and I enjoy listening and learning from our citizen’s stories. I pledge to continue to take their concerns that come out of these stories forward and help make life better for all who live in our community.

I want Roanoke’s government to be fiscally responsible - with a balanced approach to meeting current needs while still preparing for a positive future.  We have to pay close attention to public safety, our infrastructure, and most importantly our schools so our city can offer a high quality of life to all of our citizens.

As I said four years ago, our schools are our most important economic engine and are the most important measure of our success as a whole. There has been progress in our school system thanks to the hard work of our superintendent Rita Bishop, the dedicated school board and its chair, David Carson. I intend to continue to help find ways to improve funding of our school system despite declining revenues locally and especially at the state level. Our graduation rates, free and reduced lunch percentages, percentage of adults without a high school diploma are all difficult measures for our city. While we need to support those in need with our extensive social service programs and job creation, perhaps even more importantly is imparting a sense of Hope for a bright future to our children. Our school system is developing models to do just that- models I will support. From helping with much needed text book adoptions, to ensuring adequate school nursing and nutrition programs, to funding the Community College Access Program (CCAP) whereby students are guaranteed enrollment and tuition at Virginia Western Community College: any program that improves a child’s chance of success, health and hope for a brighter future will have my support on city council.

Roanoke has received a lot of positive national press lately about our beauty, our “protected” natural amenities ( including the largest protected green spaces in any city -  Carvins Cove and the newly designated Mill Mountain), our people, our clean city with green initiatives, our diverse and safe neighborhoods, and our quality of life. In my mind, our diversity positively impacts our quality of life in a daily manner. I hope to continue to focus on all citizen needs- from the young to those needs of the elderly. In doing so, I will focus on job creation, job stability and economic development. We must balance improvements in quality of life and progress with budgetary needs impacting all parts of our city.

We have had a tough year financially and are facing another even more difficult one, but I believe we will come out of this recession soon and will be well situated as council continues to make difficult but balanced decisions allowing responsible progress for our city.

I’m announcing today that I will be a candidate in the March Democratic Primary for Roanoke City Council.  I want to thank my Family for their support- these are indeed family decisions. I hope to continue to serve my city and its citizens, and apply what I have learned during my first term to the ongoing challenges ahead.  I know how to listen… and will continue to listen to the people of Roanoke as we move confidently into the future.

I am disappointed that it won’t happen but I am also disappointed that my colleagues on city council who had promised me they would table it so we could ALL be present to debate it did not do so. I spent a lot of time over the weekend sending out emails outlining the reasons behind my point of view. There are very many real concerns about this project but council over years has enlisted the advice of numerous consultants that have all supported the economic benefits and viability of an outdoor performing arts venue that would host concerts, festivals, even high school graduations.

If I knew then what I know now, I honestly do not believe I would support the tearing down of the obsolete Victory Stadium. If I knew how hard it was to start bold capital improvement projects in Roanoke, I would have supported a renovation of Victory Stadium to present day usage- namely an outdoor performing arts venue. I ran- with current council member Mrs. Mason on this issue. I supported Mr. Rosen and Vice Mayor Lea who said they supported the concept. Kudos to our leaders from long ago who actually built a 20,000 seat stadium that was well used and had an economic impact for decades. Yes we are in a recession, but after years of planning the debt for this project phased over the next 4 years had been long planned and financially we were and have been ready to go on what citizens labelled as the number two desired park and recreation capital project (next to greenways).

What are we going to do with that debt issuance now? I really don’t think anybody knows at this point- possibly just do nothing- that is certainly the easier decision. I am afraid politics entered the picture here- otherwise why did Mason, Rosen and Lea all vote for the project just two weeks ago. Again no other new information has been provided in the intervening two weeks. I can understand voting against it today from a political standpoint but why vote for it two weeks ago?

Ok I feel better. The last point I want to make is that the MAIN reason I ran for council three years ago was that I was tired of issues never being resolved on Roanoke City Council- decisions, if they occurred, were often changed, revoted on or scrapped well into the process. This was a very real concern with a long amphitheatre capital project- but one that elected leaders must chose to ignore and make the most informed decisions at the present time that they think are best for the city- no matter what they fear may happen six months or a year or two years down the road.

So with all this said- I will not participate in rehashing decided issues. As of today, the amphitheatre project is dead and I for one will not be bringing it up again. There are many other issues- though this one has been tied to me given my interest, my beliefs and the time I have taken to understand it well- that I also support, understand very well, have researched and will be pushing for this council. I intend to be a team/council player, one that can debate as best I can on issues and win or lose move on to the next issue. While I thought this issue had been decided by an informed super majority two weeks ago, I was wrong - but in my mind - today was the final vote.  Given that this Odyssey is over I can only hope for a Brave New World on Roanoke City Council.

What are your thoughts?

Dave

PS: the picture to the left is the design planned for Elmwood Park

This is an expensive and bold project but this council and the one before me has been planning for capital funding finally going to the city’s park and recreation dept and facilities in our city. We have focused appropriately for years on Fire and EMS, and School capital needs (two brand new high schools coming on line). Through numerous studies, the amphitheatre has been listed by citizens and staff as their number 2 or 3 priority. In addition to planned capital funding, there is also some funding remaining from the victory stadium saga. The debt service has been budgeted and the debt has been planned.

Two weeks ago council voted 6-1 to move to the architectural and engineering design of the amphitheatre which will include a more refined operating budget and a better assessment of the need for a municipal subsidy year to year. Red Light has given broad estimates of a possible subsidy which all municipal amphitheatres and facilities (eg civic centers, pools, etc) carry (if they didn’t the private sector would be in this business).

The question that is causing some council members to rethink their vote is the extent of the subsidy- which is not the $500,000 that some are saying- this figure was the high end for a larger amphitheatre by the river without the revenue stream that Elmwood creates (outdoor concessions daily for the downtown lunch crowd, coffee/cafe for the library etc)- we will learn this early in the A and E process and design the amphitheatre to best improve the operating potential for the venue. The A and E contract can include budget requirements including construction and operating budgets that the design will predict. The other concern is the time line- the A and E will take about 14 months and the construction about 2 years- both phases will spread over two years- currently construction in our capital plan would not begin until 2013 but given phased construction- the construction process can certainly follow soon after the A and E process. The other time line issue is the worry that new city councils may come on board and change direction- I think we all know this can happen, Roanoke has a good history of this. Does it mean we should be afraid to start any project- I certainly hope not.

The other big concern is the timing- it doesn’t look good to do such a bold project in the middle of a recession- while I could go into detail and there certainly could be a healthy debate on all these issues, this my simple answer: what better project to do during a recession- we have the funds, spread over three years, will link the Taubman, the new market building (the highest capital priority), a renewed Center in the Square to an awesome star shaped Elmwood Performing Arts venue and park and central library at the other end of downtown. We will be set to ride the recovery out of the recession, attract young people to visit and live here to enjoy our growing arts, cultural and music vibe at a lower cost of living with more quality of life potential. We cannot use this money in the operating budget and say give it to the schools- this is planned debt in a separate capital budget. There are many studies out there showing that cities that continue capital projects during a recession come out of that recession much healthier. It is obviously good for our local economy both immediately and in the short and long term to have capital/construction projects underway in a recession. Citizens also look locally for more quality of life and entertainment options during a recession. And again- what we are voting on is just the A and E design, so we can be ready to build in a year or two.

If we decide to revisit the vote, the options are to re-vote on it- table or can it, possibly re-allocate the money to non-park and rec projects, etc. Our infrastructure plans and bridge projects are doing well and even those departments have said they do not need re-allocation of funds. Storm water management is going to require a fee eventually due to federal and state legislation and should not come out of our capital or operating budget.

Council has been studying and discussing our capital improvement plan for months and discussing some projects for many many years. I had hoped we made an informed vote two weeks ago. While it never hurts to follow-up with these very real concerns and request more information, I would have hoped most of this had happened prior to the vote. I am out of town this week and will miss the vote Monday. Other council members will be gone at other meetings later in the summer as well. I have tried my best to stay in the debate and make my points, especially about the importance of moving to the next long planned phase for the amphitheatre project- the A and E design that would be consistent with specific operating budgets. I am hopeful council will have a healthy debate and go on to make a decision.

I am strongly in support of the vote we already took to move forward on the market building and amphitheatre and also support a renovated Washington park pool. If the vote changes because of the above very real concerns but answerable in my mind or due to political fears- I don’t plan on pushing the projects and will live with the votes. As I have said before- I ran for council to help bring healthy debate to issues but vowed to not continue the Roanoke habit of revisiting issues year after year without making a final decision on them. If it is voted down, I will not be the one continually bringing it back up but instead will look at other important capital projects and continue to focus on the many other issues that I have been supporting.

Many thanks for listening! What are your thoughts?
Dave
540-314-8875