League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name   Bob Arwood                                       Phone              579-6334

 

Candidate for County Commission, District 9 Seat B

 

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.

 

Porter High School, majored in science, biology, and chemistry

            2 years technical school

            5 years apprenticeship program (same as Associate Degree in Electronics)

 

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

 

14 years service as Commissioner for the 9th District

 

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

 

                        Master Mason, 30 years

                        Kerbela Temple, 2 years—Participate in Shriner fundraisers for disabled children

                        Rockford School playground project—personally raised $35,000

 

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

 

None

 

 

  1. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1. Faith

2. Hope

3. Charity

 

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

 

                        Being able to have a vision of what is needed in short term and also long term for the county.

 

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. Being able to spend the needed time to get the job done

2. Being able to budget costs

3. Communication between the Commission and the Mayor’s office

 

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

                  1. Growth

2.  Education

3.       Police

 

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

 

1.       Planning

2.       Raise teachers’ salaries to keep the good ones we have.

3.       Raise policemen’s salaries to keep the good ones we have.

 

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

 

It’s hard to promote morality.  It has got to start within.

 

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

 

Yes.

 

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

 

Start implementing as funds become available.

 

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

 

I would like to see more parks and preserve more open space.

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

 

There are procedures that all public officials must go by.

 

F.                  The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools                            yes

2. city and county government                      yes      

 

 

G.                 Health care

 

N/A

 

 

 

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

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

 

At least once a month have key players in your district call you.

 

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

 

Parks and open space because I think it is the most affordable.

 

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

 

 

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

 

Give them a break on their taxes at age 65.

 

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

 

I prefer a county law director.

 

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

 

    1. Impact fees will allow the schools to have a good source of revenue.
    2. City governments combining
    3. Transit system from Knoxville airport and Downtown Knoxville.