League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

Name Linda Jo Dees Phone 995-0023

Candidate for County Commission, Dist 7 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.

B.S. and M.S. , Nursing

Ed.D., Curriculum & Instruction, Higher Education

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

Held office as 1^st Vice President, Louisiana Nurses Association

1^st Vice President and Board Member, Tennessee Nurses Association

Board member, Blount County Chapter of American Association of University Women

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

Currently tutor for Adult Education in reading

Red Cross Disaster Volunteer for approximately 9 years

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

None

5. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1. Listening to needs.

2. Researching the problem

3.

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

I am a fighter and do not give up easily, especially when fighting for injustice or the “underdog.”

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. Development and approval of schools and buildings

2. Local road conditions

3. Keep the personality of Blount County the way the majority of Blount County residents seem to want it, Green.

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

1. School overcrowding

2. Inadequate and unsafe roads

3. Keep Blount County green

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

1. Build annex buildings, not trailers.

2. Assess unsafe areas, paint dividing roads, and place appropriate warning signs or stop signs at dangerous

intersections.

3. Have developers include parks and green space in plans.

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

Continue having meetings with citizens, but also have a citizen oversight committee with two commissioners appointed to that committee to discuss and offer recommendations.

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

Meet with the diverse cultural and racial groups and invite their participation. Unless the citizens designated in a diverse racial or cultural group are interested and informed, we cannot make much headway in this area.

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

Cannot answer at this time

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

Use the EPA for development guidelines. Go one step further in keeping Blount County green.

E. Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

Assess on an individual basis. Might need an oversight committee in some cases. Allow citizens to make formal review request.

F.. The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools

2. city and county government

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

Do not support the consolidation of city and county government.

G.. Health care

Offer opportunity for residents making less than ($30,000)? to pay a one time ($500.00?) amount to cover basic care and prescriptions.

Have a contract with a group of physicians and one or two non-charge pharmacies to provide for basic health care, preventative as well as treatment, for citizens of Blount County making less than a certain amount for a one time payment of $500.00 or a payment plan of $100 monthly for six months. Will cover costs up to $1000.00 medical, $1000.00 counseling, and $600.00 pharmacy per year. $2600 per year for one time $500. If only 1000 people sign up that is a half million dollars. New people will sign on. Most people will not have to use or will have small amounts of coverage needed. Could offer different scaled down version for persons with insurance. Have a one year residency requirement. Stops if move out of area.

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

1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

Phone, web site, bimonthly get togethers

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

Have not studied it thoroughly at this time.

3. How do you propose to fund infrastructure growth and improvements?
1. A wheel tax
2. An adequate facilities tax ( The number 2 is circled )
3. Other____________________________________________

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

Offer more accessible care, such as home health, transportation, and dire needs.

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

The current is too partisan. Need a nonpartisan lawyer.

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

Keeping Blount County green, with safe roads and adequate schools that are not overcrowded. Develop multiple small parks and stop buying polluted race ways.