2024 Candidate Questionnaire

In 2024, Ride JC created a questionnaire for candidates of the November Johnson City Commission and Jonesborough Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

We wanted to hear the candidates' plans for improving multimodal transportation in and around Johnson City and Jonesborough. Each candidate was sent the same questions (depending on the community they were campaigning in).

The responses will be posted based on the order that we receive them. The responses will be posted without editing and will have a link to the responses we received.

Johnson City

  • Aaron T. Murphy - Commissioner

  • Greg Cox - Commissioner

  • Jacob Luallen - Commissioner

  • Jay Emberton - Commissioner

  • JD Bo Westmoreland - Commissioner

  • Joe Wise - Commissioner

  • John C Baker - Commissioner

  • Joseph Coates - Commissioner

  • Todd Fowler - Commissioner

  • T. R. Dunn - Commissioner (Withdrawn)

Jonesborough

  • Adam Dickson - Alderman

  • Chuck Vest - Mayor

  • Terry Countermine - Alderman

The questions were picked to showcase specific steps the candidates plan to take if elected, and were written by Johnson City and Jonesborough community members.

  1. How would you address road congestion in your community, and expand transportation for people who want more options to move around their community without driving?

  2. How do you plan to increase public involvement in transportation decisions and inform them of multi-modal options they might not know about?

  3. How would you improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, while integrating our multimodal transportation systems throughout your community?

  4. How will you work with TDOT to secure funding for complete streets (e.g., protected sidewalks/bike lanes, crosswalks, traffic calming, and bus routes)? For more information visit: https://highways.dot.gov/complete-streets

  5. If you were given $100 in funds for a transportation budget, what percentage of that fund would you allocate the money amongst cars, sidewalks, bikes, and buses? Why?

We also included several questions specific to the community

Johnson City

  1. The construction of Tapestry on South Roan will contain low-income residents who need to access downtown services without a car. How would you ensure they have their transportation needs met?

  2. The state of Franklin Linear Trail is split by HWY 11E at Novus Drive. This split makes it dangerous and unpleasant for walkers and cyclists to cross. How would you connect the two parts of a trail in a way that encourages people to use the trail for both recreation and transportation?

Jonesborough

  1. Jonesborough has added new parks such as Lincoln and Tiger Park. As a public official, how would you encourage people to use transportation other than cars, such as walking, biking, or public transit to enable park access for all people?

  2. Jonesborough recently received funds for connecting to the Tweetsie Trail extension. How would you ensure that both pedestrians and cyclists can get from the proposed extension to the Lost State Scenic Walkway in a safe and enjoyable manner?

John Baker - Johnson City Commission

Direct Response: Ride JC Public Documents -> John_Baker_Questionnaire_Answers.jpg

How would you address road congestion in Johnson City, and expand transportation for people who want more options to move around their community without driving?

It will take years to relieve the congestion we face, which is due to unchecked growth with little or no planning or forethought. It is important to work with federal and state funding options to address the issue, one of which includes state legislation banning open containers, allowing for expanded federal funds. We need a long-term plan including implementation of a Complete Streets blueprint for multimodal transportation. We need to expand times and routes for bus service. We need smaller propane or electric-use buses/vans. Multimodal transportation, an integral element of urban living, needs to be a priority for Johnson City.

How do you plan to increase public involvement in transportation decisions and inform them of multimodal options they might not know about?

We need to assemble a Citizens Advisory Board on multimodal transportation to meet monthly and furnish reports on those meetings to the Board of Commissioners. There should be a forum held four times a year for community participation and education on the activities of the Advisory Board. All information would be made available on the city website, as well as news releases to all media outlets.

How would you improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, while integrating our multimodal transportation systems throughout Johnson City?

In adopting the Complete Streets blueprint, we would be required to incorporate better crosswalk markings and signage. Brick crosswalks are aesthetically interesting, but do not provide adequate visibility for pedestrians, wheelchairs, or cyclists. Included in a Complete Streets blueprint are reflective striping, flashing signs, traffic calming construction, and reduced speeds.

The construction of Tapestry on South Roan will contain low-income residents who need to access downtown services without a car. How would you ensure they have their transportation needs met?

Although there is a bus stop on the opposite side of South Roan Street from Tapestry, that community needs its own weather-protected bus service on the Tapestry property by a driveway that makes it convenient to both the residents and JC Transit. These residents would benefit from expanded times and routes by JC Transit and NET Trans for doctor appointments, etc. Sidewalks are needed on the west side of South Roan Street from Save A Lot grocery to the shopping plaza farther down the road. Improved signage and markings are needed in that area.

The State of Franklin Linear Trail is split by HWY 11E at Novus Drive. This split makes it dangerous and unpleasant for walkers and cyclists to cross. How would you connect the two parts of a trail in a way that encourages people to use the trail for both recreation and transportation?

It is not a simple fix to connect a trail over four lanes of traffic. Usage needs to be determined. Is it beneficial/practical to connect the trail? Can the city’s traffic engineer be of help on this issue?

How will you work with TDOT to secure funding for complete streets (e.g., protected sidewalks/bike lanes, crosswalks, traffic calming, and bus routes)? For more information visit: https://highways.dot.gov/complete-streets

The government of Johnson City needs to be more proactive in adopting the Complete Streets format, making it a priority. In light of our expanding growth, we also need to work with our County government and TDOT to bring more funding into our communities for highlighting safety and convenience.

If you were given $100 in funds for a transportation budget, what percentage of that fund would you allocate the money amongst cars, sidewalks, bikes, and buses? Why?

25% for marking/signage for pedestrians/bikes/wheelchairs
35% for expanded bus service times and routes
40% for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks

The most expensive outlays are for bus service, roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks. Serving city residents where they live should be the goal of any municipality. Signage and markings - the least expensive - can be addressed within the city’s current budget.