PRIORITIES
PRIORITIES
I am committed to providing trusted leadership, protecting the people who call Johnson City home, and preparing our city for tomorrow. During my years of working with various leaders in Johnson City, I am convinced that in order achieve greater progress/success, we must serve and value the collective interests of every member of our community. It is important that we focus on the common goals and shared values that benefit our citizens.
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Provide Trusted Leadership
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Strong communities begin with trustworthy leadership. City government should be transparent, fiscally responsible, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves.
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Transparency and accountability
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Fiscal responsibility
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Accessible leadership
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Public engagement and collaboration
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Responsible decision-making
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Protect Our Residents
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As Johnson City grows, we must ensure the people who built this community can continue to afford to live here and have quality of life. Growth should create opportunity, not displacement.
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Affordable, attainable, and workforce housing
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Protect longtime residents from being priced out
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Responsible tax policies
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Support children, youth, working families, seniors, veterans, and young professionals
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Keep Johnson City affordable for future generations
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Prepare Our Future
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Growth is a sign of success but, success requires preparation. Johnson City must plan wisely so infrastructure, public safety, and community services keep pace with growth.
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Responsible development
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Infrastructure first
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Long-term planning
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Protect neighborhoods
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Encourage quality investment
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Improve traffic flow
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Invest in roads, sidewalks, water, sewer, schools, police, fire, EMS, parks, and recreation
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JOHNSON CITY, HERE'S WHERE I STAND...
Over past several weeks, I’ve been Listening to Johnson City. And listening also means being willing to tell you where I stand.
Flock Cameras:
I support public safety, but I don’t believe we should have to choose between safety and privacy. Both are important. I support greater transparency, strong safeguards, and accountability for how this technology is used. If this cannot be achieved, then it’s not good for our community.
Property Taxes:
Before asking taxpayers for more, we should prioritize needs over wants, look for efficiencies, ask what can be cut from the budget before adding to it, and protect affordability. Growth should never mean pricing people out of the community they love.
Data Centers:
I support economic development, but it must be responsible and not compromise the well-being of our citizens. We must consider the impact on our infrastructure, utilities, clean water, power grid, neighborhoods, and quality of life. If these things are compromised, then it’s not good for our community. Our residents deserve a voice before major decisions are made.
City Hall:
Too many people tell me they don’t feel heard. People shouldn’t have to agree with City Hall to know that City Hall heard them. I believe we need greater transparency and meaningful public engagement before major decisions are made.
City Leadership:
No position should be above accountability. I’m not running to protect anybody’s job, and I’m not running to take anybody’s job. I’m running to do my job and make decisions based on what’s best for Johnson City.
You may not agree with me on everything, and that’s okay. But you’ll always know where I stand. And I stand for and with the people of this city.
"Comments"
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“I am so proud of Aaron. He is a strong leader in our community who is doing a great job!” - Rev. Dr. C.H. Charlton (Former Vice Mayor of Johnson City, TN)
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“He is a cutting-edge leader leading a cutting-edge organization.” - Robert D. Lipton (Author of Toxic Charites)
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“Aaron carries a reputation of leading us from chaos to community.” - Rev. Philmont Bostic (St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church)
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“One of Johnson City’s most trusted leaders.” - Josh Smith (WJHL)
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“I’ve seen Aaron do nothing but phenomenal work during his time in Johnson City.” - Randy Hensley (Coalition for Kids)
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“This young man will do great things!” - Rev. Dr. Noel C. Taylor (Former Mayor of Roanoke, VA)