League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name LOWELL H. RIDINGS                                Phone 865-984-0603

 

Candidate for               COUNTY COMMISSION     District 2   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.

1960 Graduate:  Maryville High School

Associate Degree:    Walter’s State Community College

1 year: East Tennessee State University

 

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

Thirty years of experience in dealing with the public, government agencies and other community organizations to ensure that the quality of life we now enjoy is not threatened.

 

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

 

None

 

 

  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. Good Work Ethic

2. Accountability

3.        Integrity

 

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

 

            People skills – the ability to defuse difficult situations.

 

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. Accountability

2. Integrity

3.        Ethical workmanship

 

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

                  1. Education

             2.    Growth

             3.    Infrastructure

 

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

Be accessible.  Be open-minded.  Be genuine (no hidden agendas).

 

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

Involvement by all parties involved

 

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

The sum of an individual is based upon their accomplishments, qualification and individual abilities and not their race, gender, religion or ethnic background.

 

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

By infusing parts of the Hunter Growth Strategy into the Planning Commission’s Agenda – working hand in hand with the Planning Commission.

 

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

The impact of development is certainly to be considered when considering growth in Blount County.

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest should be dealt with quickly and decisively.

 

F.                  The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools   

      YES

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.

 

A.                 How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

Availability by phone, community meetings, and one on one basis

 

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

Application of the Hunter Growth Strategy would depend upon input from the Planning Commission and other involved entities.

 

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

    1. A wheel tax
    2. An adequate facilities tax

 

An adequate facilities tax would provide a method for those profiting from development in our county to give back a percentage of that profit to help support the infrastructure that would support that development.

 

    1. Other____________________________________________

 

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

 

Tax relief and the wise use of funds already available in the county budget

 

 

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

 

This decision would be based upon current expenditures versus what a full time law director would cost.

 

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

 

Controlled growth that provides for the needs for all the citizens of Blount County.