League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name _____Joseph C. Gallagher__________Phone___865-983-4557_______

 

Candidate for ____Blount County Mayor______________________________________

 

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.

Manhattan College, B.B.A., 1949

School of Business Administration, Major:  Marketing and Advertising

Editor, “The Quadrangle,” Student Newspaper

 

Columbia University, School of General Studies, Broadcasting (no degree)

 

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

 

Leadership and management of important business and entertainment projects for major TV networks and Syracuse University

 

Relevant experience:  Chairman of Yonkers (NY) Sports Committee (for Republican mayor) with goal of developing convention/arts/sports center for the city, 1975-77.

 

Campaigned for several candidates:  Democrats, Republicans and Conservatives

 

Candidate for Westchester County (NY) Legislature, 1977; defeated by incumbent who became the Republican candidate for New York state governor.

 

Member, Board of Directors, Police Activities League (PAL), Houston, Texas,  1990-94

 

Steering Committee, Gracie Saenz for Mayor of Houston, Texas, 1998

 

Chair, Blount County Kerry-Edwards campaign, 2004

 

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

 

The Raven Society, Board of Directors, 2004 to present

Citizens Against Pellissippi Parkway Extension (CAPPE), 2004 to present

Blount County Democrats Executive Committee, 2004 to present

Blount County Democrats Womens’ Club, 2003 to present

Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of Fatima Council, 2000 to present

Blount County Racism Task Force, 2005 to present

American Legion, member since 1947

Tennesseans for Fair Taxation, Board of Directors, 2003 to present

Alcoa Rotary, 2004 to present

 

 

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

 

None.   If elected, I will require all appointees to declare conflicts of interest.  Also, will militate to have elected officials declare the same.  One of my goals is “non-conflict-of- interest government” for Blount County.

 

 

  1. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1. Personal communication____________________________________

2.     Delegate responsibility with interaction________________________

3.     Consensus builder  ________________________________________

 

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

Creative vision

Strategic experience:  In my life, my career, civic and political actions

Record of success in the private sector:  The Carrier Dome at Syracuse University;  Houston Oilers marketing to the Hispanic community;  “Selling” the New York Mets

 

 

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. Leadership for a bright future for Blount County

2. Facilitator to work with the Blount County Commission, Planning Commission, Economic Development Board, School Board, the Cities of Alcoa and Maryville and towns like Louisville and Townsend plus the many commercial, civic, education and cultural organizations.  Also, to be the point man in lobbying with Nashville for Blount County.

3. Fiscal management and fiscal responsibility_

 

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

1.     Managed/planned growth and the issue which trumps all others is roads.

Roads: I favor defeating the Pelissippii Parkway Extension (PPE); eliminating the proposed southern loop from TDOT’s plans; and scrapping any plans for the proposed I-3 from Savannah to Knoxville.  Of equal importance, needed improvements to Blount’s principle arteries should be accomplished without creating wide boulevards.  Highways 321 and 411 should not be commercialized and Alcoa Parkway needs landscaping.

 

2.     Economic Development:  We need to take advantage of East Tennessee’s regional airport at the confluence of two major ground arteries to attract industry and corporate headquarters.  I advocate that industrial development be limited to designated zones which do not intrude into residential neighborhoods.

 

3.     Cultural Development:  Quality schools at all levels.  Education is the highest priority.  We must profit from the excellence of Maryville College and broaden the horizons for Pellissippii State College.  I plan to promote the arts – music, theatre, crafts and expand recreation facilities, especially leisure activities for seniors and youth.  We will save Camp Montvale, rescue the fairgrounds property and improve our parks.

 

 

 

 

  1. What can you do in this office to impact these three most important issues?

 

Provide creative leadership by introducing a combination of new ideas and high expectations to various segments of government – county and city.

 

 

 

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

 

I will promote a “racism free” county.  Proposals have been discussed at the Racism Task Force for “racism free zones.”  I support that as a good start, but I advocate programs for sensitivity training for students, parents, teachers and public officials.  We also should promote cultural opportunities where people will learn to know and respect each other regardless of race, religion or ethnic background.

 

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

 

If I am County Mayor, women and minorities will sit on the Planning Commission and other government bodies.

 

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

 

I support most recommendations of the Hunter Growth Study, a notable exception being PPE.  I favor an adequate facilities fee.

 

I plan to work with developers to lead them to understand the need for “planned” growth which will retain the natural, scenic beauty of Blount County.

 

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

 

The environment is a priority issue.  I am consulting with environment advocates and an environmental engineer to implement plans to retain trees, clean water, clean air, to monitor new developments, residential and commercial, to ascertain that waste disposal systems conform to Blount County standards.

 

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

 

I will appoint a citizens’ review panel with responsibilities to include public hearings.  We will have “non-conflict-of-interest” government.

 

F.                  The consolidation of:

1.  city and county schools

 

         I oppose.

 

2.  city and county government

 

        I believe we can benefit from joint operations by certain departments and will appoint a non-partisan study group.

 

 

3..    or a feasibility study on consolidation

 

Yes, but not at six (6) figure expense.

 

 

G.                 Health care.

 

I envision expansion of Blount Memorial Hospital to be a regional medical center.  I also advocate more neighborhood clinics to bring health care to people in more rural area.

 

Crisis situations:  I will provide leadership to guarantee prompt action in medical crisis situations such as the 2004/2005 flu shot shortage.  Knoxville had flu vaccine a month before Blount County.

 

We will ensure adequate preparation for possible epidemics.

 

 

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

  1. How would you facilitate communication and collaboration between county departments?

 

Step one will be to plan a workshop (possibly by Leadership Blount) to promote ways and means plus motivation for community collaboration.

 

I will have regular “cabinet” level meetings with elected and appointed officials.  I also will have regular meetings with mayors and managers of our cities and towns.

 

  1. How would you ensure the accountability of the various county departments?

 

Step one will be a county audit by an outside, independent firm.  I also will receive regular reports from all departments concerning operations and finances.

 

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

 

As stated elsewhere, I support the Hunter Growth Strategy except for PPE.  I particularly advocate attention to “page 2 of the Technical Memorandum #17” which deals with strip commercial development along “the two main highways that act as gateways to our county.”

 

Also, Guiding Policy #5:  Match the timing of development with provision of adequate infrastructure such as utilities, roads, schools and open space.  The Planning Commission should continue to work with the Board of Education to define school capacity standards appropriate for determining the adequacy or inadequacy of school capacities to serve proposed subdivisions.

 

  1. How will you represent the county interests at regional forums such as the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization?  How will you communicate these activities to your constituents?

 

I will personally represent Blount County and will communicate the need and wishes of Blount County as defined by the County Commission and cities.

 

I will report back to the County Commission and cities and also conduct regular public meetings for give and take with all citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. What do you propose to fund infrastructure growth and improvements?

1. A wheel tax

 

     I am not in favor of the wheel tax.  It is regressive to low income citizens.

 

2. An adequate facilities tax

 

     I favor an adequate facilities tax as sensible and fair

 

3..  Other____________________________________________

 

      Before we consider new taxes, other than adequate facilities, we need to tighten our county belts to trim waste and/or needless spending.

 

  1. Do you favor hiring a county law director vs. the current practice of retaining an attorney for the mayor?

 

I favor a county law director.

 

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

 

The Everett Senior Center provides excellent service.  I propose additional location in other part of the county.  We also need adequate oversight of senior homes and health facilities.

 

  1. Concisely describe your vision for Blount County’s future.

 

I see Blount County as a scenic, rural community that will grow with grace and style.  I hope it will retain its green spaces, its trees and have tree lined landscaped roadways, attractive neighborhoods, quality schools, well paying corporate partners and signs on  major roads entering the county which proclaim:  “You  Are Entering Blount County, a Business and Residential Friendly Community, Joe Gallagher, Mayor.”