John Saunders - Salem 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 I am willing to work with the National Park Service to reopen the campground for overnight access depending on the fiscal responsibility placed upon local governments.
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?
The City of Salem has been committed to finishing the greenway through Salem to Green Hill throughout and also extending or creating additional greenways in our locality. Monetary limitations are always a factor in each budget cycle and reviewed carefully.
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?
Needless to say budget constraints and changes in economic factors move greenway creation depend on other factors each budget cycle. The City has always tried to maintain our greenways as exemplary through the region. We already dedicate monies to their maintenance. During my last tern discussions were had with city administration to look into enhancing our biking trails etc. at our old landfill at Mowles Spring Park.
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?
Needless to say budget constraints and changes in economic factors move greenway creation depend on other factors each budget cycle. The City has always tried to maintain our greenways as exemplary through the region. We already dedicate monies to their maintenance. During my last tern discussions were had with city administration to look into enhancing our biking trails etc. at our old landfill at Mowles Spring Park.
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?
Visitors to the area who utilize our greenways and outdoor amenities utilize our hotels and especially our restaurants. It works the same with same as our hosting events, tournaments, and championships at our facilities and our greenways can enhance the overall positive experience of our visitors. We have numerous citizens who are greenway enthusiasts who are always welcome to communicate with city staff and council members on maintenance issues as well as ideas for greenway enhancement.
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%)?
In conclusion I do echo the sentiments of Mr Eshelman in his discussion on the making of the Roanoke Mountain campground a day facility. Overnight use would even up the competitiveness of our market to others located adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once again I am sure budget and financial constraints led the National Parkway Service to changing of the campground to day use and these same budget issues would be looked at during each budgetary cycle for the City of Salem also.