League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name     Rev.  Shawn K. Carter, Sr.                    Phone       865-981-9332

 

Candidate for     Blount County Commission     District 1 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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Ability to listen, to solve problems, proven leader, manage finances, military leader and pastor

 

 

 

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

 

Maryville Youth Football

 

 

 

  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.    Integrity

2.    Accountability

3.    Humility and dedication

 

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

 

I have always been able to listen and help solve others problems.  I have a true desire to serve the public and their needs.  I believe the true measure of a great leader is not what he or she accomplishes for themselves but what they help others to accomplish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.   Making sure Blount County continues to have quality jobs

2.   Safety of our community

3.  Continued education of our children

 

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

                1.   Growth

               2.   Solving education issues

               3.   Keeping taxes low while maintaining a great quality of life

 

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

 

Research and communicate with the public and other office holders

 

 

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

 

Everyone should be treated with the same respect and dignity, promoted by self accountability.

 

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

 

Vote for me, not because of my skin color, but because I’m the best candidate.  I truly care about the people whom I will serve.

 

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

 

I need to do more research on these issues.

 

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

 

More research is needed.

 

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

 

When problems arise; it should be resolved.

 

F.                  The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools

2. city and county government

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

 

The voters should decide.

 

G.                 Health care

 

The voters should decide.

 

 

 

 

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

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents?

 

Answer emails, phone calls, and hold quarterly meetings.

 

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

 

        I am still researching it.

 

  1. How do you propose to fund infrastructure growth and improvements?
    1. A wheel tax
    2. An adequate facilities tax
    3. Other___  Not sure at this time.__________________________________

 

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

 

I understand they are on a limited income and we should strive to see their needs are met.

 

 

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

       

         I would need more information on this topic.  There are pros and cons to both.

 

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

 

         Safe for all our citizens, continued better education, and quality jobs.