Mayor George Gantte Seeks Re-election For Office Of Dandridge Mayor

Dandridge Mayor, George Gantte

I would like to announce that I am seeking re-election for the office of Mayor of the Town of Dandridge. I would like to personally ask each citizen for their support and vote in the upcoming election.

In the three terms that I have had the opportunity to serve as your mayor, the town has had many accomplishments from the effort of those who have served as your Board of Mayor and Alderman over this period of time. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the vision, hard work, and persistence of these individuals.

I would like to recognize Mr. David Jones, who passed away this spring, for his many years of service to the Board of Mayor and Alderman, serving both as your mayor and an alderman. David will be missed as the town moves forward. I would also like to thank Ms. Pam Farrar and Mr. Ken Thornhill for their many years of service in making Dandridge such a great place to call home.

The town was able to acquire a grant and loan to build a new sewer treatment plant on the same property where the existing plant was located. When the new plant was designed, it was built to be able to operate as two separate plants in case of mechanical failure . The capacity was nearly doubled from the existing capacity to plan for future growth of the town. After completion of the new plant, the town has received very good quality ratings from the State of Tennessee. The town recently finished a project to acquire water from K.U.B. and also signed a 10 year contract to purchase water from Jefferson City, which will allow the town to negotiate rates in the future. Also, in the event of a catastrophe, the town will have another water source available.

A portion of the property that was owned by a local car dealership was purchased by the town. With the help ,and many hours of service of The Dandridge Volunteer Fire Department under the leadership of Mr. Chuck McSpadden, this building was converted into the new fire station. The new fire station is now fire station number one. Mr. McSpadden and his family devoted numerous hours of their time and money into this project. They worked late hours with the help of many of the firemen to make the new fire station a reality. This station is now equipped with sleeping quarters, an exercise room, meeting rooms, and a kitchen for the volunteer firemen.

This year, Dandridge was able to purchase the first ladder truck in the history of the fire department. This truck was bought used due to the price of a new truck being estimated by our current chief at 1.5 million dollars. The town purchased this ladder truck at a price of $87,000.

An additional $60,000 was needed to purchase the equipment necessary to make the truck available for service. Based on information provided by Chief Andy Riley, a truck of the same age as the one purchased, but with higher mileage, was listed for sale on the internet for $550,000.

Improvements have been made in the Public Works department that has decreased the man power for certain jobs. The town purchased a grapple truck, which has decreased the number of employees needed to load brush and class four garbage from three employees to one employee. A side load garbage truck, along with trash cans for residents, were also purchased. Before Dandridge acquired the side load garbage truck, it took a driver and two men at the rear of the truck to load the garbage. Currently, it only takes one man to operate the truck. Two good quality, used dump trucks were purchased last year at the cost of what one new truck would cost. A new tractor was purchased this past year for mowing the road right of ways.

The town purchases salt and sand each year to help clear the streets during snow and ice. The employees of the Public Works Department work extremely hard, and at times work all night to have the roads clear in the mornings when residence need to travel to work.

Public Works employees also work very hard during all the festivals in downtown , bass tournaments, and other events that promote the town. The town has utilized labor from inmates housed at the Jefferson County Jail to help keep the cost of labor down for the citizens. I would like to thank the Sheriff’s department for working with the town for many years with this project.

The police department has been improved over this period of time as well under the leadership of Mr. Carson Williams. The police cars that are used by the patrolmen have been put into an eight year service cycle to help manage expense.

The town is in the process of purchasing new software for the department, which is being paid for out of the drug fund account . Since the funds for the new software are coming out of the drug fund, it will be at no cost to our citizens.

The town has continued to work with the original park operation agreement that was established before I was elected as your Mayor . This agreement provides mowing, restroom cleaning , providing electric payment, and maintenance on buildings and fields at the Field of Dreams. Playground equipment was purchased for the younger children, and a playground was built near the new activity center.

The town was able to construct a new activity center three years ago, which has hosted many events that include: county elementary basketball for the first time in 25 years, bass tournament events and dinners for the anglers, regular dance classes, several different fitness classes, basketball and volleyball leagues, and an indoor walking track. The town has also worked with the Silver Sneaker program, which allows a majority of the senior citizens to use the center free through their insurance.

Due to the significant amount of growth, the town has been able to maintain the same tax rate as when I was elected 12 years ago. When I was elected as your mayor, the tax rate was $1.00 per hundred, and at this time the tax rate is just under $1.00.

The town has been able to grow and provide these services with a large increase in sales tax revenue. In 2004, the town collected approximately $623,599.00 in annual sales taxes. In 2015, the town collected $1,201,867.00.

I am proud to say that the town has given its employees a raise or bonus each year that I have served as your mayor. Without the employees who serve the citizens , our town would not be what many citizens have come to expect and appreciate about Dandridge.

Looking towards the future, the town has been working on a lakefront development project that would build boardwalks around the lake, and a new dock. Several citizens have expressed concerns about how the lakefront development project will be funded. The town contacted and met with our elected representatives in Nashville, Senator Frank Nicely , and Representatives Andrew Farmer, and Jeremy Faison. We explained our vision to each of them for the creation of this project. We explained what the town hopes to gain through tourism. After these meetings, the gentlemen agreed to support a two percent hotel/motel tax for the town, with the funds being allocated for tourism and lake development. This legislation passed both houses in April. As of July 01, 2016, Dandridge is now receiving the two percent hotel/motel tax that will be used for tourism and lake-front development.

In closing, I again ask for your support and vote. If re-elected as your mayor, I will continue to have an open door policy to all residents. I will continue to work hard and do my best for the town of Dandridge. Your vote is very much appreciated!