League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name _    Steve Hargis_______________________Phone:   865-995-2679________________________

 

Candidate for __Blount County  Commissioner District 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.

 

Alcoa High School, some college, technical school (Electronics)

 

 

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

 

Eight (8) years of training as a county commissioner

 

 

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

 

Republican Party, Friendsville Volunteer Fire Department

 

 

  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. God’s child ______________________________________________

2. Truth ___________________________________________________

3. Honesty _________________________________________________

 

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

            Always return my calls, ninety nine percent (99% ) attendance at all meetings, always vote either yes or no (never have I passed).  Deal with problems face-to-face, not over the phone.                          

 

 

 

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. Setting the tax rate________________________________________________

2. Budget the money correctly______________________________________

3. Helping citizens who are having problems with certain things.   _________

 

 

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

               1.  Rapid growth________________________________________________

2.  Slow down county government excess spending____________________

3.     Keeping a standard of living in Blount County affordable to all classes of people.

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

Just be myself, look to the future, and always remember the past.

 

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

Yes

 

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

No

 

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

No

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

Yes

 

F.                  The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools

  Yes

2. city and county government

  Yes

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

 No

 

G.                 Health care

This is out of control.

 

 

 

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

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

Weekly attendance at gathering places.

 

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

(None)

 

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

_Reduce Government Spending_________________________________________

 

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

I am a senior citizen.  I am trying everything.

 

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

N/A, Not applicable

 

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

Happiness, peace, and love our neighbor.