James Kuykendall has been involved with the city of Oak Ridge North for about 10 years, including participating on the city's long-range planning committee. He has served as the city's mayor since being appointed by the City Council in 2011, when he took over the position following former Mayor Joe Michels' resignation. Kuykendall was later elected as mayor during the 2012 and 2014 elections.
"I have always been involved in the community wherever I have lived," Kuykendall said. "I love this city. Oak Ridge North was where I chose to live when I was promoted [by Union Pacific Railroad in 1998] and moved to Houston. Oak Ridge North was really our choice, and we wanted to raise our children here and we did. So being in the community, I wanted to be a part of it."
He also works for the Port Terminal Railroad Association, where he has overseen human resources and labor relations since 2007.
Previously, Kuykendall worked for Union Pacific, where he spent 29 years moving up the ranks into management positions.
What can Oak Ridge North residents expect in 2015?
I am really hoping that we can get decisions made that will move us forward on mobility. The Robinson Road relocation project needs to be decided on and done. [City Council and I] support the Montgomery County bond election because that is going to have a direct effect on what happens to us in Oak Ridge North. Another thing residents can look forward to is hopefully we can get the hotel issue finally completed so we can look forward to the hotel and conference center that is going to come in.
What does the city do to help businesses and development?
We have a great economic development corporation, a group of citizens [who] work hand in hand with our businesses. In the past, we have given some grants to businesses that are refurbishing their business. The Planning and Zoning board has worked with businesses that wanted to grow. We also have a quarterly business get-together where businesses meet with the [City] Council, and we sometimes have a presentation or we just talk to each other.
What effect could the tax increment reinvestment zone, or TIRZ, have on the future of the city?
One thing that the TIRZ is going to do is help regulate who goes in next door to us in the area to the east of [the city]. The TIRZ is going to allow us to plan and develop infrastructure to work with developers so that the right businesses and the right things are put over [in the zone] instead of having random businesses. The TIRZ is a great instrument; we [hope] to be partners with Montgomery County and maybe some other taxing entities that may come in and help us work for the future. This is a great thing for the city of Oak Ridge North and for Montgomery County.
What makes Oak Ridge North
a special community?
We really are a hometown. We are small enough where you know people. We are a town where we have small parades on the Fourth of July and Christmas. People get out and decorate their bicycles or they make floats. We have things like that, [which] are conducive to a hometown family atmosphere. That is what I think separates us from a lot of other places, and hopefully it will always stay that way. I am counting on it.
What accomplishments have been achieved during your tenure?
We developed a comprehensive long-term plan for the city [in 2013]. We have rezoned and revitalized our business and retail areas, and we have attracted new businesses that are going to make a positive difference for us.
