Cathy Reynolds - Roanoke City Council Candidate
Campground Reopening: Are you committed to working with the National Park Service to reopen the Roanoke Mountain Campground for overnight access?
Yes, this will stimulate the economy without harming nature, and does not require more commercial development.
Greenway Completion: Will you use your best efforts to secure the right of way and commit to the necessary funding to complete the Roanoke River Greenway from Explore Park to Green Hill Park?
Yes, I am 100% behind any effort to preserve our planet. We are on the path to self-destruction because we are depleting the very things we need to keep us alive. Everything is not about a building here and a building there. What we need to do is focus more on natural resources and preservation, so yes, I support.
Budget Prioritization: How do you envision balancing budget priorities between greenway development and other infrastructure projects? Will you advocate allocating a dedicated percentage of the annual budget to greenway expansion, maintenance, and improvement?
The health, safety and welfare of the community always comes first to me, so the word balance is not applicable when referencing something I need to survive. I will make sure there is room in the budget to maintain the roads, bus stops, basic necessities. Outside of that, nature will always prevail with me.
Will you advocate allocating a dedicated percentage of the annual budget to greenway expansion, maintenance, and improvement? Absolutely. The fact that we are a metro mountain destination is why we saw a 7% increase in tourism in Roanoke this summer. I quote the statement from Kathryn Lucas, Director of Public Relations for Visit VA’s Blue Ridge response when asked what brings visitors into the valley. She stated “What sets us apart is that we are a metro mountain destination. You have a great home base in Roanoke City that’s really got upscale restaurants and boutique hotels, but it’s located just 15 minutes away from the Appalachian trail hikes or world class paddling. (7-10-24 WFXR news article).
Economic Benefits: What are the long-term economic benefits of investing in our greenway system and reopening the campground, and how would you communicate these benefits to constituents who may be skeptical of the costs?
Real estate around both areas will increase in value just from being in close proximity. This will allow for homeowners to make significant supplemental income via Air bnb, because it would be considered a prime location. Our greenways, trail, hiking, biking, etc. are quite popular to tourists, so with their visits, comes their money. The Star City was recently designated a siler level ride center by IMBA.
How would you communicate these benefits to constituents who may be skeptical of the costs? I persuade people for a living, so I can handle it. I cannot answer for my constituents, but I would very much like to live a long, bountiful life, with clean air, water and plenty of trees. I hope they plan to do the same.
Community Engagement: How do you plan to engage with environmental groups and local residents to address concerns about expanding the greenway and reopening the Roanoke Mountain Campground? What strategies will you use to ensure transparency and public involvement in the decision-making process?
Through forums, email/mail correspondence, pamphlets, and outdoor community events.
Public meetings need to be held and placed on the agenda far in advance for each issue needing resolution. There should be no closed-door meetings, period. Such actions are demonstrative of an oligarchy. We are supposed to be a democracy, by the people and for the people. I stand on that.
Resource Allocation: How would you work with adjoining localities to secure additional resources for the region's outdoor recreation initiatives, including the greenway and campground projects? Can you support increasing the recreation budget to a specific target (e.g., from 2% to 3%)?
I would research areas that have been successful in securing additional resources and do something similar. No need to reinvent the wheel, but we can readjust it to our liking. That is what I intend to do.
Can you support increasing the recreation budget to a specific target (e.g., from 2% to 3%)?
I support a budget increase but cannot say with absolute certainty what that increase will be. That said, remember where my priorities lie. I have been clear on my position throughout the other responses. Without nature, there is no us.