Area officials share ‘wishes’

(Editor’s Note: Elected and appointed leadership in Fulton County, the cities of Fulton, Hickman and South Fulton were asked by The Current to submit their goals for the new year. Each Mayor, city Manager and the Judge/Executive’s ‘wish lists’ follow.)

South Fulton City Manager Johnny Bacon, and South Fulton Mayor David Lamb, both have high hopes for the paving of city streets in the new year, as options for funding will continue to be explored for that task.

Bacon said he would like to see a men’s and women’s restroom facility constructed or made available to the public at South Fulton’s Unity Park, and he will pursue options to accommodate a Farmers Market location on the grounds of the South Fulton Municipal Complex.

He also has high on his list, the continuation of the ongoing, multi-phase, multi-million dollar sewer project now under way throughout the city, to improve infrastructure.

“Last, but not least,” Bacon said, was to appreciate that “ at 12:01 Jan. 1, hindsight would actually, literally be, 2020.”

Mayor Lamb shares Bacon’s goal, to explore the option of the city facilitating a site for the sale of fresh produce, in a Farmers Market setting, on the Municipal Complex property, and plans to pursue Unity Park expansions when possible, including the restroom facilities.

The mayor includes on his “wish list”, options for a spec building, in hopes of enticing the location of new industry, and in turn, add jobs to the community. He noted that some groundwork had previously been accomplished to identify properties for the construction of a convenience store, and that project will continue to be on his radar in the new year.

Lamb indicated a priority for him in 2021, would be to identify the specifics in securing a safe sidewalk/walkway in the area of the Dollar General store on Broadway, and the Hillview South-West Tennessee Healthcare clinic.

A city budget in place and approved by July 1 is on the mayor’s wish list, as is working toward the re-emergence of two community events, the city’s Barbecue on Broadway and the Country Music Festival.

“The last thing is to try to put this virus behind us, if that’s possible,” Mayor Lamb said.

Fulton Mayor David Prater said he plans to forge “full steam ahead” into the new year, following the passing of 2020, a year, which he said has been unlike any other in our lifetime.

“I wish, and pray for the safety, health and welfare of each of our residents and employees of the City of Fulton,” Mayor Prater said.

He noted he is eagerly looking forward to a new year which he hopes will include the return of Fulton Tourism Commission activities, such as the Banana Festival, and would add to his wish list, the return of normalcy to life, with residents frequenting local establishments and more comfortable in attending public meetings.

The completion of the downtown Fulton Farmers Market is on the list for the mayor, in 2021, with excitement generated with the recent announcement of the awarding of grant funding for the project.

Continued growth and expansion at the industrial park, the hope of the groundbreaking of a new Amtrak station and moving closer to the completion of I-69, to the Fulton Exchange and the Tennessee state line are also on Prater’s New Year Wish List for the city of Fulton.

“I also expect to further our excellent relationships with leadership of the cities of Hickman, South Fulton and the Fulton County Fiscal Court for the betterment of each of our communities, and our area as a whole,” the mayor added.

Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn included on his Wish List for 2021, to be able to see the completion of the downtown Fulton Farmers Market, as well as “The Village” project in the same area, creating a venue for home based artisans to display and market their items.

“Having these two projects completed, in the same location, adjacent to our downtown area, would create a warm and friendly atmosphere for people to visit,” he said.

Gunn wants to see a developer construct desirable homes in Fulton, as a boom in the housing sales market has erupted, with housing options depleted and a “sellers’” market now realized for the first time in a number of years.

“I would like to continue to promote a positive way of looking at our community, and stop the view that Fulton is an island. I want to encourage more collaboration with the surrounding communities, as we promote our city, becoming a strong cneter for growth and development, while partnering with Fulton County and the cities of Hickman and South Fulton,” the Fulton City Manager said.

Through sustained code enforcement efforts, Gunn wishes for the continuation of a focus on curb appeal at entry ways into the city, as well as neighborhoods.

Securing funding for the conceptual design already created for major upgrades to parks and green space within the city of Fulton is something Gunn wants to see materialize in 2021, with improved livability and community wealth through tourism development, industrial development, commercial development and residential development, high on his priorities.

“I would like to continue the support of our youth, through education, not only focusing on the college path but also technical skill careers, should be important because that will be the environment that will encourage our youth to stay here and earn a living in our community,” Gunn said.

The continued support and promotion of the completion of I-69 as well as growth in the railroad industry and river port industry will have a place on Gunn’s Wish List for 2021.

“I would like everyone to reflect on the positives learned during the past year, such as adapting to methods for working and communicating in different ways, all while spending much needed time with families at home,” he added.

While composing his Wish List for Fulton County, Judge/Executive Jim Martin said, “I would like for State legislature to grant us the ability to fund the ambulance service equitably.”

Martin also said, “I would like to see the Economic Development Partnership continue to develop the new industrial park on Hwy 307, in Fulton, and the Partnership working jointly with Hickman County to purchase an additional 43 acres now under option.

Martin would like for the Fulton County Industrial Development Authority, working jointly with the Union City Industrial Board, to accomplish their goal of constructing a new railroad from the Hickman-Fulton County Riverport Authority to Union City, Tenn.; I-69 to be completed from Mayfield to Fulton and continued progress around Union City on the southward side.

The Farmers Market project and the proposed Amtrak Station, both in Fulton, are among projects Martin would like to see completed in 2021, along with the development of a plan to provide garbage service county-wide.

“The Cayce Fire Department and Rescue has been reorganized and I would like to see its plan to improve fire and rescue service for the rural area of Fulton County,” Martin continued.

“New employment opportunities in Fulton County via existing projects now being considered and new projects to come during the year are hopeful. I am also hopeful that the pandemic will be behind us and none of us in Fulton County will suffer any more from sickness or losses from COVID-19, “ Martin said.

City of HIckman Mayor Heath Carlton started by saying, “I would like to commend the resilience of the people of Fulton County during the ongoing pandemic.”

“The only real ‘wish’ is that things normalize with the virus and that people are able to remain healthy. The other things relating to the city are really goals. A few of the goals are to see the City realize increased business opportunity and increased baseline revenue. These will alow for the city to continue projects dealing with long standing infrastructure issues,” Carlton said.

Carlton expressed his desire for the City to continue to be cleaned up across the community. For the various volunteer groups and citizens to continue to push to work together for projects and events. To see the continued improvement of intergrovernment relations and cooperation in the County. Relations between Fulton County, City of Fulton and City of Hickman have been growing through group efforts such as the Ken-Tenn EMS and dealing with COVID-19. Being small municipalities and a small county these relationships will be crucial to the success of moving forward into and beyond 2021.”

Hickman City Manager David Gallagher said, “Like most people, I’m hoping we can put the pandemic behind us. It’s been a trying year to say the least. As we look forward, the City of hickman should complete a major sewer rehab project, that will be a m ajor accomplishment. The City also looks forward to the completion of a couple of job expansion projects. In spite of the pandemic, 2020 was a good year.”

Gallagher continued, “The City completed a Water Plant rehab project, spent a little extra money on streets, thanks to former Governor Bevin and worked a pubic works crew that has done an outstanding job making the city look better.”