The following are the candidate responses from incumbent Oxford Council Post 3 Candidate Hoyt Oliver, his challenger Toby Malcolm and Oxford Council Post 1 Candidate Frank Davis to a series of questions submitted by various civic organizations and compiled by The News.

SMART Growth Newton:

 How will you foster cooperative relationships between your city and Newton County, other municipalities, the Water and Sewer Authority and the School Board?

Malcolm:

By recognizing the needs of the county and researching available resources Oxford might have to help them. Working with the city of Covington on utility and cable concerns. We need to be aware of industry coming to Covington that borders our city. We need a strong relationship with Covington and Newton County.

Oliver:

I have participated in every Newton County future planning process for the last 30 years and currently am a "stakeholder" representative on Future Transportation planning for the county. Oxford has a representative on the Water and Sewer Authority Board. I'm on the water committee of Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful Board, with representatives from the county and other municipalities. I participate in the Leadership Collaborative each year - so I'll continue keeping Oxford well-connected and participating in what's happening with county and other municipalities.

Davis:

I fully support improved schools; in fact my wife and I just voted for the school bonds and sales tax extension. I believe that Oxford has a fine relationship with the Water and Sewer Authority and I intend to keep it that way.

What are the three most important issues facing your community, and how do the 10 principles of Smart Growth apply or help address these issues?

Malcolm:

1) Traffic (create walkable neighborhoods, provide a variety of transportation choices) 2) Keeping Oxford's historic charm (strengthen and direct development towards existing communities, preserve natural beauty) 3) Utilities and water (making development decisions predictable fair and cost effective.

Oliver:

1) Guiding future development for coordinated benefits of Oxford College and

city of Oxford residents, including a new "city center"; 2) Updating ordinances to provide for guided development that allows mix of appropriate uses but keeps Oxford residential, forested, and community-related; 3) Trying to alleviate harmful effects of congested industrial and residential development taking place all around Oxford.

All the Smart Growth principles apply directly, and we're using them in our current 10-year Future Planning process: (I won't try to restate the principles here.)

Davis:

Oxford has long been a college and bedroom town without a lot of commercial or industrial development. I would like to see it remain as such. I believe that Oxford should continue to work on our trails and parks. I support upgrading our Town Hall so that we can have a proper Court Room, Police Department and Community Center. We need to get some of the traffic off  Emory Street by routing Ga. Highway 81 around Oxford, maybe on Ga. Highway 142 and the Bypass to Porterdale.

How do you feel about the disproportionate level of housing versus commercial/industry in the community?

Malcolm:

I like how the housing level is much lower than our commercial/industry. I like the small town feel of Oxford, with very little commercial property.

Oliver:

Newton County definitely needs more commercial/industrial tax base, to offset the current flood of housing that will not pay for its costs to Newton taxpayers. BUT we in the city of Oxford are most unhappy at how Newton County and the city of Covington are allowing industrial, commercial and crowded residential developments immediately adjacent to Oxford on the east and west, ignoring and over-riding our protests!

Davis:

I have no problem with the fact that we have no industry; we are a small town and it is not far to any industry in the county.

What would you like to see implemented to make the ratio more in line of where it should be (approximately 60% residential and 40% commercial/industry compared to the 80% residential and 20% commercial/industry)?

Malcolm:

I would not change the 80/20 ratio; I think this is a perfect blend for a town our size.

Oliver:

Update commercial along U.S. Highway 278 corridor and in Covington; move the Covington Airport to the multi-county industrial park at I-20 and Ga. Highway 11; and attract lots of new, appropriate industry at that location.

Davis:

We have some undeveloped land to the east of town, but access is limited. Emory Street is very crowded and that will limit somewhat any development.

In light of the upcoming update of Oxford's 10 year Comprehensive Plan beginning this month, what are the most important growth issues for the mayor and council to consider?

Malcolm:

I believe the traffic on Ga. Highway 81/Emory Street is our biggest concern. Also controlling the water/utility rates and controlling our growth.

Oliver:

Keeping Oxford College and the city of Oxford connected and coordinated as both are expected to grow. Putting in ordinances to allow appropriate mixed-use of large tracts of land east of Emory Street, following smart growth principles. Development of a city center, including new city facilities, park land, appropriate commercial/office uses, and establishing a signature identity for Oxford, which will remain a community of homes, schools and churches.

Davis:

We must ensure that our water and electric system is adequate to supply the needs of the city. This may include replacing the old water pipe in Emory Street.

The Covington/Newton County Chamber of Commerce:

What infrastructure do you consider critical for Oxford to provide to prepare for future economic development? The rewards of economic development tend to go to the communities that have invested in themselves, thus making the investor feel confident that it is a mutual investment.

Malcolm:

The utilities in our city. When you talk about economic development and growth, we need to be prepared in our utility and water departments. The city employees need the equipment and resources to meet those needs.

Oliver:

New facility for City Hall, police, council/court/community room.  Replacement of a number of aging water lines.  As possible, extension of sewer to more residences.  Sidewalks in more areas, particularly for Palmer-Stone students. Increased community recreation facilities, such as outdoor basketball court and more miles of multi-use trail.

Davis:

I would like to see the county proceed with all possible speed to complete the Bear Creek reservoir to insure that our county has plenty of water.

Keep Covington/Newton County Beautiful:

What are your views on a stronger tree preservation and landscape ordinance?

Malcolm:

Oxford as a city strongly supports our Oxford Tree Board. Oxford maintains our aging trees and replaces any trees that may have to be removed. Oxford is known for our tree canopy, and we do a good job in maintaining that green space.

Oliver:

Amen!  Oxford has a strong ordinance, and we intend to make it even stronger

Davis:

We should have some limits on how many trees can be removed from an area to be developed or require that trees be replaced with like trees and the landscape be covered with native plants.

Would you be willing to place a moratorium on new construction while we figure out available water resources?

Malcolm:

YES! I strongly agree with a building moratorium. At least on these 100 plus subdivisions. The county needs to stop and think not only about our water supply but our schools, fire department and police. We need to stop and look and better plan for this massive growth. We have enough housing just sitting now that you don't want to see it become rental property.

Oliver:

Possibly - I'd want to research that more. 

Davis:

I don't believe that we need a moratorium on building as I believe that the market place is going to stop the rapid growth in housing.

What are your views on local trails, i.e. biking and walking paths?

Malcolm:

I think our new walking trails are a nice addition to our city.

Oliver:

Whole-heartedly in favor, and I'll continue to work hard to get more in place!

What would you do to help provide increased maintenance of our city streets and right-of-ways?

Malcolm:

Oxford is in need of repairing our existing sidewalks. I agree to extending our sidewalks further down Ga. Highway 81/Emory Street to connect to Oxford Square and even in other areas of the city with wide right-of-ways. I would like our existing sidewalks to be repaired first.

Oliver:

Keep pushing for carrying out maintenance programs the city of Oxford is supposed to be doing now! We've made several street improvements lately. I also intend to keep trying to get through traffic re-routed off of Ga. Highway 81 in Oxford - I'd be willing for the city to maintain that mile of road if DOT (Department of Transportation) gave it to the city, because then we could put in traffic-slowing practices.

Davis:

Oxford has several ordinances pertaining to old cars, overgrown lots and the like. We need to enforce them. I like some of Covington's ordinances covering dilapidated homes, where owners are required to repair them or take them down.

Would you support giving more support to local code enforcement officers and police to help clean up some of our blighted business and residential areas?

Malcolm:

I would support using county code enforcement officers to help keep our city looking nice. I would not want to tie up the time of our police officers with this. I strongly agree with property owners being held responsible for the upkeep of their property.

Oliver:

Sure would! Oxford needs to do more with our own code enforcement.

FaithWorks

What role do you believe the city government should play in addressing poverty among its citizens and what specific steps would you take?

Malcolm:

I feel like the county or state would be better equipped to help the needy. However, I would strongly support any church or private assistance for our citizens.

Oliver:

There's not much the city of Oxford government can do directly, but we could do such things as having available at City Hall information on public and non-profit services available in the county and making arrangements for spread-out payments of city utilities for low-income residents. 

Davis:

I believe in FaithWorks; in fact my wife and I go to the Food Pantry and work on Tuesday mornings. I don't believe that city government should be involved.

Oxford provides gas and electric service to its residents. Given that utility rates pose a significant financial burden on those living below the poverty level, what steps if any could the government take to reduce that burden?

Malcolm:

If the utility rates become a burden to a family in our city, we could look at what is available at a state level as far as some type of assistance. I would not want to see a needy family's utilities turned off. However, we need to look at each problem on a person-to-person basis.

Oliver:

Oxford provides electricity, water and sewer, but not gas, to residents. Our electricity rates are high, because we have a very small property-tax base. I'd have to look more into possible ways we might help reduce the burden on citizens living below poverty level.

Davis:

Oxford does provide electricity and water to its residents. I don't see how it could reduce the cost of these items to any group based on income.

Arts Association in Newton County

What is the role of an arts community in the health of a city?

Malcolm:

The arts always bring people together, whether it be artwork, music or a play. I strongly support art in our community.

Oliver:

Utterly necessary, though perhaps some citizens don't know that! The arts provide qualities of life for citizen participation, not just the stuff on television.

Davis:

Oxford is in a unique po