League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name:       Dr. Otto Slater                 Phone:984-7989

 

Candidate for Blount County Commission District 3, 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. Biochemistry and molecular Biology, Purdue University

D.D.S  University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training, Medical University of the South

 

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

 

1-Private medical practice

2-Current County Commissioner

3-Former Projects Manager, McMinn County Executive’s Office, 1987-92

 

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

 

Chairman, Wesley Day School Board of Directors, 2004-06

U.T. Medical Center Faculty Member, 2001-06

Blount County Republican Party, 2000-06

 

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

 

        I have property ownership that I would recuse myself from voting about if any development issues were presented which involved it.

 

  1. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1. Judgment

2. Objectivity

3. Intellect

 

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

           

        I think I can see and appreciate both sides of an issue.

 

 

 

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. Fiscal oversight and accountability

2. Long-range development and planning

3. Establishment of policy

 

 

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

                1. Development

2. Infrastructure

3. Education

 

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

                                   

Support further education, road, and infrastructure funding. 

“Flesh-out” Hunter Growth Study recommendations in the form of subdivision regulations.

 

 

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

 

Adhere to current state, local, and federal laws.

 

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

 

Adhere to current state, local, and federal laws.

 

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

 

We should incorporate the recommendations as subdivision regulations.

 

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

 

This law unfairly singles out Blount County for the sins of others.  Our appeal should be granted by the federal government.

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

 

Adhere to state law.

 

F.                  The consolidation of:                       

1. city and county schools                           

2. city and county government

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

 

                  This issue by statute requires a municipal initiative.

 

G.                 Health care

 

I am currently working on a charity dental clinic initiative.  I am a provider for the Good Samaritan and Interfaith Clinics.  I am active staff at Blount Memorial and faculty at UT Medical Center.

 

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

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?    

 

Always available, home or office.

 

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

 

All of these should be codified in the subdivision regulations.

 

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

 

I sponsored these initiatives in this term.

 

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

 

I supported the senior center, and I support homestead law in the state.

 

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

 

I support a County Attorney at the will of the County Mayor because I do not desire an additional layer of county bureaucracy.

 

 

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

 

I want Blount County to be the Crown Jewel.