Aside from street and sidewalk projects, Book has also said he looks to work with the parks department to get new playground equipment and work for Phase 2 renovations at College Park Gym.
He also expects the city's budget to tap reserves through 2010 as the city continues payments on the new wastewater treatment plant for Winchester Municipal Utilities.
City spending
"After we get through 2010, we'd be able to have more money coming in," Book said, noting that the payments keep rates low for WMU customers. "If not, then WMU would have to raise the sewer bill on everybody, and people that are on fixed income cannot take anymore."
But he said he supported some trimming back on community projects until payments are complete to avoid a tax increase or a decrease in spending on public safety services.
"We do not need to be like the county was last year," he said.
Book added that he anticipates the city accepting a property tax rate each year that would equal a 4 percent increase over the previous year's revenue.
Working together
with the county
The city and the county should maintain a working relationship, but the interchange goes both ways, Book said.
"If the city makes a recommendation to the county on how to get more revenue, then the county needs to look at it and implement it," the candidate explained.
He added that he supported more cooperation in general.
Downtown
revitalization
With an office located in Winchester's downtown district, Book also expressed support for the city's recent revitalization efforts and encourages private property owners to take pride in their buildings, citing successes with the S.P. Kerr Building.
"You've got to work with the property owner," the candidate said. "We should encourage private development. If the private sector takes pride in their buildings, then we will have revitalization without using taxpayers' money."
Book said he doesn't support more restrictions on downtown buildings, however, adding that the city must consider the building's overall adaptability.
Growing pains
In terms of the community's growth, Book said the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce and the Winchester-Clark County Industrial Authority should be encouraged to continue focusing on commercial development.
"People are going to Lexington to shop and spend their money over there," he explained, noting that many Winchester residents want to go out to eat without driving out of town.
The city should pass resolutions showing support for new commercial establishments in Winchester, he said, adding that shopping centers should be encouraged to locate around the new bypass, and WMU should make an effort to extend sewers to that area as soon as possible.
"I think we need to have orderly growth and not have it all on one side of town."
Substance abuse
In an effort to combat Winchester's drug problem, Book said he supports more use of the Winchester Police Department's canine unit to detect drugs in neighborhoods.
"He can walk around the outside of a house and smell drugs. If that's what it's going to take, then we need to do it," Book said. "That's why we got the drug dog, not just for the schools and for traffic stops."
Book is running for city commission in the Nov. 7 general election against William Chris Aaron and Commissioners Rick Beach, JoEllen Reed and Shannon Cox.
If elected, it will mark Book's eighth term overall on the commission.
Editors Note: This is the second story in a series running this week profiling each candidate for the Winchester Board of Commissioners.
