League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name               Holden Lail                                                   Phone      984-0899

 

Candidate for    County Commission,   District 6,  Seat A

 

Please write your answers in the space provided or use a separate sheet, and return your survey in the enclosed stamped envelope. It is very important that you write legibly. Please consider e-mailing your completed survey by requesting an electronic survey at rderycke@bellsouth.net     

The League of Women Voters will acknowledge receipt of your completed survey.

 

I. Qualifications and experience:

  1. Please list your diplomas and degrees, along with the areas of study.

Bachelor of Science, University of Tennessee, 1969 (Secondary Education- Social Studies)

Master of Science, University of Tennessee, 1974 (Educational Administration and Supervision-Secondary and

Elementary)

Master of Science+45 Hrs. University of Tennessee, 1988 (Elementary and Secondary Education Curriculum)

Doctoral program (Educational Administration and supervision-1992-93, not completed) University of Tennessee

 

 

  1. What relevant experience do you have, including previous public offices held?

 

I served thirty years in Blount County Schools as a teacher, coach, and principal.  I am currently  semi-retired and working as a Contract Consultant for the Tennessee State Department of  Education serving Knox County High Schools as a School Improvement Specialist. 

 

1969-74, Bungalow Elementary (Blount Co.), 6-8 Science Teacher

1974-75, Mentor Elementary, Teaching-Principal, K-8

1975-84, Union Elementary, Teaching Principal, K-8

1984-88, Fairview Elementary, Principal, k-8

1988-90, Porter Elementary, Teacher 6-8

1990-91, Career Ladder Evaluator, State of Tennessee

1991-92, Walland Middle School, Principal

1992-96, Rockford Elementary School, Principal

1996-99, William Blount High School, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

1999-2000, Interim Assistant Principal, Greenback High School  (Loudon Co.)

2003 – Present,  Tennessee EE Program  (McMinn Co. HS, Austin-East HS, Fulton HS)

Licensed by Tennessee Department of Education in the areas of:  Secondary Education (Social Studies), Elementary, Administration (K-12, Supervisor, and Directorship).

 

  1. Please list local service and civic groups in which you have participated, including when and for how long.

 

During my semi-retirement, I continue to serve Blount County Schools as a Surrogate Parent, Consultant, President of William Blount High School Tennis Boosters, Board of Directors for WBHS Golf Team and Scholarship Committee, and as a football and basketball “color commentator” for BCS-Channel 5 TV.

 

  1. Please indicate any business activities that could constitute a conflict of interest in the event you are elected.

 

 

  1. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1.

2.

3.

 

 

F.   What unique qualities, besides the above leadership skills, do you have to contribute to this office?

 

Professionally and personally, I consider myself a life-long learner who strives to model those behaviors in both my personal being and professional endeavors.  My priorities are established simply as church, family, friends, and job.

 

 

 

 

 

II. Questions about your understanding of the office you are seeking:

  1. What do you see as the three most important functions of this office?

1. Restore faith in the local government process by a calm, conservative, and common sense approach to problem solving.

2.  Listening to and giving voice to those that elected you.

3. Re-visiting and re-evaluating actions taken to monitor their level of success.

 

  1. What would you identify as the three most important issues facing Blount County in the future?

                1.

               2.

               3.

 

  1. What can you do in this office to impact these three most important issues?
  1. Restore the people’s voice to our county government by holding community nights for public input, listening to and being open to District 6 concerns, and, most importantly,  voting the wishes of the constituency.
  2. Develop long range planning for all phases of the county government in order that spending is controlled and the county operates on a plan not determined by the latest emergency or current trend.
  3. Develop a plan for tax reform so that senior citizens or those on fixed incomes are not forced to face escalating costs which negatively impact their quality of life.
  4. Develop environmentally friendly policies that will help insure and protect the beauty with which Blount County is blessed.
  5. Maintain and enhance the existing infrastructure so that citizens can and will enjoy the benefits that they have already paid for and therefore, restore confidence in the county government.
  6. Develop and follow a priority list of those services that are vital to accomplishing the goals necessary in maintaining Blount County in order to support each citizen’s quality of life.

 

 

 

 

 

III. Positions on specific issues of importance in Blount County:   Use a separate sheet to respond.

A.                 Means for insuring the fair and respectful treatment of all Blount County citizens, regardless of race, gender, religion or ethnic background, given recent concerns about racism and bigotry in our county

 

B.                 Promotion of greater diversity in our hired and appointed government officials and employees

 

C.                 Reconciling the potentially competing interests of growth/development and adequate infrastructure in our county, including the application of the Hunter Growth Strategy

 

D.                 The environmental impact of development and/or non-attainment status with the EPA

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

 

F..     The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools

2. city and county government

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

 

G..     Health care

 

 

 

IV.  Questions for CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY COMMISSION:   Use a separate sheet to answer these questions.

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

 

  1. Which recommendations of the Hunter Growth Strategy do you support, and why?

 

  1. How do you propose to fund infrastructure growth and improvements?
    1. A wheel tax
    2. An adequate facilities tax
    3. Other____________________________________________

 

  1. How can the county address the needs of the senior population?

 

  1. What is your position on hiring a county law director vs. the current practice of retaining an attorney for the Mayor?

 

  1. Concisely describe your vision for Blount County’s future.
    1. Maintain and preserve the heritage and physical beauty of our county while providing for the needs of the citizens as a whole.
    2. Work to enhance and expand the opportunities for our next generation to be able to enjoy the quality of life that can be obtained here in Blount County.