League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey
Name Scott Helton Phone
Candidate for Blount County Commissioner District 6
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:
A.
Please list your diplomas and degrees, along with the areas of study.
Graduated
B.
What relevant experience do you have, including previous public offices
held?
Twenty-three years of dedicated public service to
agent, and presently Juvenile Court Administrator. I have completed 600+ hours of training from
the
C.
Please list local service and civic groups in which you have
participated, including when and for how long.
Eagleton Little League Coach 1983-1990
Eagleton Little League Board of Directors 1985-1992
Board of Directors Blount County Rescue Squad 1990-1992
United Way Public Service Division
2004-2005
Boy Scouts of America 2004
D.
Please indicate any business activities that could constitute a
conflict of interest in the event you are elected.
None
E.
Name three leadership skills that you practice.
1. Not afraid to confront tough issues
2. Effective communicator and listener
3. Treat people as equals
F. What
unique qualities, besides the above leadership skills, do you have to
contribute to this office?
1.
Problem
solving
2.
Value
customer service
3.
Motivated by
challenges
II. Questions about
your understanding of the office you are seeking:
- What do you see as the
three most important functions of this office?
1. Inform the constituents of issues facing
2. To work with other officials of
of
3. Make sound judgment decisions pertaining to issues that may arise.
- What would you identify
as the three most important issues facing
1. Growth
2. Infrastructure
3. Adequate educational needs
- What can you do in this
office to impact these three most important issues?
1.
Support
regulated growth and development through fair and equal treatment
2.
By being
pro-active in requiring infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.) to be addressed
with thorough planning before proceeding with any significant construction
3. Working with the school board, teachers,
and parents to address issues facing needs
III. Positions on
specific issues of importance in
A.
Means
for insuring the fair and respectful treatment of all
I am proud to
acknowledge Blount County Juvenile Court was selected by the Tennessee State
University from Nashville to be studied as to how the Juvenile Court was able
to be so diverse when dealing with the number of parents and juveniles that the
court comes in contact with. Out of
approximately ten juvenile courts studied,
B.
Promotion of greater diversity in our hired and appointed government
officials and employees
I endorse and adhere to equal opportunities in every day life and employment for individuals regardless of 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
I pledge to study issues individually, thoroughly and openly.
D.
The environmental impact of development and/or non-attainment status
with the EPA
For too long we as a county have been ignoring the
effects of growth and development as it pertains to a clean environment. The officials of
E.
Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials
Every public official should be required to file a conflict of interest form yearly with the Election Commission and be available to the public.
F.
The consolidation of:
1. city and county schools
2. city and county government
3. or a feasibility study on consolidation
Focus on all aspects and study how the enactment of
any consolidation would affect the citizens of
G.
Health care
Work with health care providers to provide adequate facilities and care for the citizens.
All citizens of
IV. Questions for CANDIDATES FOR
- How can you communicate
effectively with your constituents?
By being active in the community, such as being involved with community centers, various functions, being visible at various businesses, and being available by telephone on a daily basis.
- Which recommendations
of the Hunter Growth Strategy do you support, and why?
The infrastructure must be addressed to accommodate schools, residential and commercial areas.
- How do you propose to
fund infrastructure growth and improvements?
- A wheel tax
- An adequate facilities
tax
- Other____________________________________________
An adequate facilities tax, and furthermore look at
other revenue for
- How can the county
address the needs of the senior population?
Continue to provide a safe and secure environment and provide centers for their use. Furthermore, look at the possibility of being able to provide a tax break on county taxes.
- What is your position
on hiring a county law director vs. the current practice of retaining an
attorney for the Mayor?
Look at the cost effectiveness of the two.
- Concisely describe your
vision for
A great place to live at a reasonable cost to the citizens without
jeopardizing the beauty.