League of Women Voters of Blount County 2006 Candidate Survey

 

Name __Steve Samples______________________________________________________________

 

Candidate for ___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. 

Bachelor Degree, University of Tennessee, 1974.  Major in Political Science with emphasis in State and Local Government,  Seminars in local government for  public officials provided by UT

 

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

County Commissioner from 1990-2002,  County Budget Committee 1994-2002,

Commission Chairman ’98,’99,’01,’02,  Chairman, Legislative & Resolutions Committee

Member, Blount Cable TV Authority,  County Purchasing Committee 1998-2002,  Chairman,

Blount County Beer Board,  Chairman,  Properties Committee,  Education Committee,

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Vice-Chairman, Chamber of Commerce,

Leadership Blount Board of Directors,  New Senior Center Planning Committee,  Blount

Museum Planning Committee,  Blount County Information & Technology Committee,  Pellissippi State

Curriculum Advisory Committee

 

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

Blount County United Way, Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman for Governmental Affairs,

Leadership Blount, 1996-present, Board of Directors, 1998-present, Current member of Blount County

Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors,  Blount County Sister City Organization

 

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

I am not aware of any potential conflicts.

 

 

 

  1. Name three leadership skills that you practice.

1. Proficient with Roberts Rules of Order

2. Facilitator and visionary

3. Trained Public Speaker

 

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

            Through four years as Chairman of the County Commission I demonstrated an ability to bring

consensus to governmental meetings.  Bringing members of the Commission, School

Board, and Public Building Authority together to decide on common goals for our school system

is one such example.  I have also played a role as peacemaker in committees and boards where very

different opinions served to stall action.

 

 

 

 

 

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. Being both a sounding board and a voice for the people you represent.

2. Providing trustworthy management of not only tax dollars, but nickels and pennies as well.

3. Making certain that everyone is represented, especially children, senior adults, and those who

      might otherwise be overlooked.

 

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

                1. Balancing unprecedented growth with a responsibility to protect our environment.

2. Managing the spiraling cost of government and the services it provides.

3.     Providing necessary funds for government services, ie, education, transportation, public

safety, without continuing to demand higher and higher taxes therefore creating

hardships on young families, senior adults,  or those with fixed incomes.

 

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

Constant and consistent management of the cost of operating government and reduction of the waste therefore making certain that we get the most from our tax dollars and lessen the need for more taxes.

 

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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

Promotion of and participation in diversity training seminars.

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

Promotion of and participating in more diversity training sessions.

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

Making it a priority to appoint the liaison for HGS with local legislative bodies.

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

Working with KTO in trying to regain attainment status.

E.                  Identifying and resolving conflicts of interest of public officials

Working to see that appointments to boards and committees are free from conflicts.

F.                  The consolidation of:

1. city and county schools

2. city and county government

3. or a feasibility study on consolidation

                        Approaching each with an open mind and willingness to hear each side of the question.

G.                 Health care

Support of Health Department initiatives to insure adequate health care for seniors and less affluent citizens of the county.

 

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

 

  1. How can you communicate effectively with your constituents? 

Public meetings (such as community and PTO meetings), area visits, website, and email.

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

Some of the recommendations regarding sewer and septic water handling are good.  More specifically I support the appointment of a liaison to encourage discussion and possible adoption of those portions of the study deemed useful to our county.

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

I want to make absolutely sure that we have eliminated waste.  Once we have done as much as possible then I will consider what taxes are most equitable to the largest number of people.  I believe a great deal of tax money is still wasted on unnecessary items.  I will not look at new taxes until I am convinced that needed money can not be found.

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

I participated in the planning and proposal of the new senior center.  In my last term I proposed the Senior Citizens Property Tax Discount.  I will continue to push for a discounted property tax for senior citizens.

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

I believe the commission needs to be served by  independent legal counsel.

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

A county who is at the top in education where public confidence in government has been restored, where the infrastructure adequately handles the managed growth of our population, where each person is respected, regardless of race or background, and where the environment is as respected as it is loved.