League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey
Name ____Steve Merritt
___________Phone____865-983-7636_____________________
Candidate for ___General Sessions Judge, Division 1___________________
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:
- Please list your
diplomas and degrees, along with the areas of study.
Graduate of Everett High School, 1969
BS Accounting, University of Tennessee, 1973
JD Degree, University of Tennessee College of Law, 1976
- What relevant
experience do you have, including previous public offices held?
I have 29 years experience in the general practice of
law.
- Please list local
service and civic groups in which you have participated, including when
and for how long.
Blount County Bar Association, since 1977,
Maryville Little League, as a coach and manager, 1987-1990
Advisory board for Legal Aid of East Tennessee, 2002-2006
- Please indicate any
business activities that could constitute a conflict of interest in the
event you are elected.
None
- Name three leadership skills that you
practice.
1. Organization___________________________________________
2. Leading by example_____________________________________
3. Delegation to competent
people____________________________
F. What
unique qualities, besides the above leadership skills, do you have to
contribute to this office?
I believe I am one of the more experienced candidates for
the office and have experience in and knowledge
of the law in almost any type of case which will come before the court.
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. To faithfully and impartially rule on the cases
that come before me.
2. To run the court efficiently to avoid undue delay
in getting cases heard.
3. To review requests for warrants carefully to
ensure to the extent possible that no one is called upon to answer to frivolous
charges.
- What would you identify
as the three
most important issues facing
1. The code of judicial conduct does not permit
me to express opinions on issues which may come before the court.
2.
___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
- What can you do in this
office to impact these three most important issues?
Pursuant to the Code of Judicial Conduct, I can only say that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office.
III. Positions on specific issues of importance in
Again, I cannot express an opinion on issues which may
come before the court.
A.
Means for insuring the fair and
respectful treatment of all
B.
Promotion of greater diversity in our hired and appointed government
officials and employees
C.
Reconciling the potentially competing interests of growth/development
and adequate infrastructure in our county, including the application of the
Hunter Growth Strategy
D.
The environmental impact of development and/or non-attainment status
with the EPA
E.
Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials
F.
The consolidation of:
1. city and county schools
2. city and county government
3. or a feasibility study on consolidation
G.
Health care
IV. Questions for
CANDIDATES FOR JUDGE: Use a separate sheet to
answer these questions.
- How can a judge improve
the safety and security of
I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office and cannot otherwise express an opinion on issues which may come before the court.
- What can be done to
ensure the safety of and respect for victims of domestic violence or other
crimes in your court?