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League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name: David A. Graham

Candidate for Blount County Commission, District 7, 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.

I attended the University of Tennessee and received a Bachelor of Science degree. I majored in Political Science and German and graduated “With Honors”.

 

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

 I studied Political Science at the University of Tennessee. In my career, I have worked for several major publicly traded corporations in both sales and marketing. I am in my second term as a Commissioner representing the 7th Commission District.

 

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

 In the early 1990’s I was an active member of the Optimist Club of Knoxville. In 2005 I renewed that affiliation and activity by transferring my membership to the South Blount Friendsville Optimist club. I was in the Leadership Blount class of 2002 and continue to support this program as an alumnus. I have been involved with the Big Springs Community Club for several years. This organization provides a place for the residents of Big Springs to gather and also hold elections. This year, I am conducting a Junior Achievement class at Friendsville Elementary in Mrs. Norton’s fourth and fifth multi-age class. 

 

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

 I have none.

 

  1. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1. Empathy_______________________________________________________

2. Honesty________________________________________________________

3. Tenacity________________________________________________________

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

One quality, besides the above leadership skills mentioned would be common sense. Another quality is the ability to understand how Blount County government operates. Both are invaluable in the many decisions a Blount County Commissioner must make.   

 

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. Meeting the needs of your constituents

2. Assessing the budgetary needs and requests of Blount County government.

3. Setting the Property Tax rate.

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

                1. Infrastructure

2. Growth                                            

                    3.  The Environment

 

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

As a Blount County Commissioner, we are responsible for assessing and addressing the infrastructure requirements. We can either do nothing and ignore the challenge or find solutions. I prefer finding solutions and this does not always mean increasing taxes. As Commissioners we should support “Smart Growth” practices. Those who the County Mayor names to the Planning Commission should embrace these practices. We should pledge to support all environmental initiatives that make the air we breathe cleaner and the water we drink and use for recreation clearer.

 

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

 

The means for insuring the fair and respectful treatment of all Blount County citizens begins in our homes and/or our places of worship. We should elect officials who have a respect and understanding of diversity. Diversity is one of our historical strengths as a nation. It is no accident that E Pluribus Unum (From Many One) is written on the Great Seal of the United States.

 

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

 

I would like to see greater diversity in Blount County government. This diversity should reflect and allow for the representation of all groups that call Blount County home. We can address this at the Commission level through the appointments we make.

 

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

 

I don’t see competing interests of growth/development and adequate infrastructure as long as growth is “Smart Growth”. The Hunter Growth Strategy is just one of many steps we have taken in the direction of “Smart Growth”. But for several years now economic growth in Blount County has provided surplus revenues above budgeted expenditures. Either this has not been enough to address infrastructure needs or we haven’t used it wisely. I think it is a little of both. Also, it takes a new subdivision about 20 years to pay for the additional stress it places on County infrastructure. User impact fees would provide help on the front end but Blount County has only been granted limited authority by the State Legislature to enact these revenue measures. But used unwisely, these user impact fees can slow economic growth. So can a high Property Tax. I would not like to see this happen.

 

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

 

We are beginning to strengthen our regulations in Blount County. Development can have a negative impact but much less if developers use our state and local regulations as a benchmark to exceed and not simply meet. There are some EPA non-attainment issues over which we have less control. For example, air quality. Since we live in a valley, we tend to trap not only our pollutants but those of our neighboring states. We should urge the EPA to recognize our situation and act with common sense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

 

I would like to see our local media play a more active investigative role in identifying conflicts of interest. We might also look at establishing a citizens committee to deal with this important issue. Such a committee would investigate and resolve conflict of interest issues.

 

F.                  The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools

 The cities would never go for this.

 

2. city and county government

 I could support this but only if school consolidation was included.

 

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

 A waste of time and money without support from Alcoa, Maryville and Blount County.

 

G.                 Health care

Unfortunately, the self insurance program for Blount County employees faces the same increases as health insurance programs in the private sector do. A Blount County employee should expect no more nor any less from their program than similar size programs offered in the private sector. This is only fair.

 

 

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

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

 I think you can communicate most effectively with your constituents by being active in your community.

 

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

 I would like to see the greater concentration of growth and higher densities directed towards our urban centers. In the rural areas, I like the idea of cluster areas where limited commercial activity takes place. I agree that we need to improve our existing roads and not build new ones.

 

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

1.       A wheel tax

2.       An adequate facilities tax

3.       Other____________________________________________

 

 As for roads, I voted for having a referendum in August on a Wheel Tax. This will be up to the people to decide. I also supported the request by the Commission that asks that the State Legislature give Blount County the authority to enact an Adequate Facilities tax. The State Legislature has yet to grant us this authority. In general, I support looking at user impact fees over continuing to rely solely on property tax revenues.

 

 

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

 We must continue to support the programs that help seniors. I voted for and supported the new Senior Citizens Center. We also need to remember that senior citizens are on fixed incomes and certain taxes hit them harder than others.

 

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

We need a county law director. In the recent past there have been issues arise between the Blount County Commission and the County Mayor’s office. This is an obvious conflict of interest in trying to represent both sides. A Blount County Law Director would represent all parties equally.

 

 

 

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

Blount County will be a place where my children will be able to live and work should they choose to do so. A place where they can raise their families and enjoy many of the same experiences they do today. An eye to the future with a respect for the past.