Local â—† A5
Sunday, May 2, 2010 â—† The Mountain Press
COMMISSION
n
District 1, Seat B: James W. Bishop, Dale G. Bullock, Arlie Max Watson, Tommy R. Watts n District 2, Seat B: Gregory Phillip King, John A. Meyers n District 3, Seat A: Charles T. McGaha, Randall C. Williams n District 3, Seat B: Ray A. Proffitt, John E. French n District 4, Seat C: Marty Loveday, Roger H. Radel, Leonard H. Waring III n District 6, Seat A: Gregory D. Haggard, Joseph S. Karl, William G. Oates n District 6, Seat B:
Christopher A. Clepper, Dennis C. Gray, John Harold Pitner n District 7, Seat A: Ronnie W. Allen, Larry D. Etherton n District 7, Seat B: Duane A. Dodgen, Timothy S. Hurst, Kenneth P. Whaley n District 8, Seat A: Harold Gene Byrd, Troy A. Sellars n District 8, Seat B: Michael W. Hillard, Levator L. Maples, Andy R. Moore n District 9, Seat A: Edward Shane Luttrell, David Norton Jr. n District 9, Seat B: Judith A. Godfrey, Gerra L. Mary n District 10, Seat B: James Dykes, Jimmy R. Keener
was conciliatory about the uproar, given the knowledge a protracted legal battle with the powerful Washington legal group that instigated the debate could cost the county considerable money. “As a Christian, I fully support prayer and the reliance on God for guidance,� Moore said. “However, I would be supportive of a moment of silence prior to the beginning of county commission meetings, as a compromise to avoid litigation.� Building the economy All but five out of the 33 candidates who responded expressed support for the county’s ongoing effort, spearheaded by its Economic Development Council, to locate and purchase new property for industrial development. Most believe the move could bring more jobs to the area,
and provide more stability and better pay than jobs in the tourism industry. “If we are going to need more industrial property in the next 25 years, we should consider buying it while land prices are at a historic low,� Seat 1B challenger Jim Bishop said. “If we want a more year-round economy then we may in fact need more industrial tracts.� On the other side, several challengers expressed opposition to new land acquisitions. “I would not support purchasing additional property at this time,� Seat 4C candidate Leonard Waring said. “We must conserve our resources or invest in ideas and projects that have the best chance of large returns. Without rail service we are limited in the companies that we can recruit as demonstrated in our past performance in economic
development.� Perhaps the one question that brought the most varied answers is what to do to move beyond the seasonal booms and busts of the tourism industry. Suggestions from bringing in new transportation options to advertising were made. Seat 9A challenger Shane Luttrell proposed county leaders get schooled a bit on the art of recruitment. “Simply this: Attract more businesses to our area through partnerships,� Luttrell said. “Knox County has been successful in landing some companies as well as Chattanooga. We need to visit with those folks and see how they approach these things.� Tim Hurst, a challenger for Seat 7B, said rather than moving away from its tourism-centric stance, the county should embrace it and do more to make the area a year-round destination. “I believe that marketing and advertising our county in other areas throughout the country would continue to bring more tourism and revenue to our county,� Hurst said. “I feel that we already do a great job at this and should continue to let families know about our county’s wonderful attractions.� Fellow Commissioner Bill Oakes, who is running to keep his 6A post, agreed marketing needs to be a priority. “We need to continue to support the efforts of the tourism industry as they focus on the seasonal aspects of Sevier County,� Oakes said. “We need to maximize shopping, dining,
L. Huffaker n District 3, Seat B: Incumbent Sammy E. Scott is unopposed n District 4, Seat A: Incumbent Jack L. Galyon is unopposed n District 4, Seat B: Incumbent Roger Floyd is unopposed n District 5, Seat A: Lawson will face Day in the general election n District 5, Seat B: Incumbent William O. “Billy� Seagle is unopposed In questionnaires submitted to all the candidates by The Mountain Press, most cited drugs and burglaries as the main recurring crime problems in their areas. The greatest variation in their answers came addressing the hours they would spend on the post
— which does not offer pay beyond a stipend for serving warrants — and whether they would use a marked vehicle in their duties. Constables have that option, but must provide the vehicles themselves. In District 1, Spence did not respond to the questionnaire but Maples and
Noland did. Maples said he is consistent in his duty to patrol his district, and he also attends area events when asked. He said he generally patrols in an unmarked vehicle. Noland didn’t specify what hours he would work, but called the position a 24-hour-a-day job. He said
Commission candidates
3From Page A1
On several of the questions the responses were nearly uniform. For instance, almost every candidate indicated the economy would be among the top issue faced by the new commission. “Sevier County’s tax base is large, but we depend on our sales tax revenue for a very large part of our budget,� Seat 1B incumbent Max Watson said. “If the economy doesn’t get better and tourists don’t travel to Sevier County then we could have a shortfall in our budget.� Likewise, there was nearly no deviation from the “stand and fight� answer to a question about what the county’s response to the threat of a lawsuit demanding that the County Commission no longer start its meetings with the Lord’s Prayer. “A small group of individuals want to dictate how we conduct county business by eliminating the Lord’s Prayer,� Seat 7B (District 7, Seat B) challenger Duane Dodgen said. “If I want to say the Lord’s Prayer and ask for God’s guidance in carrying out a productive meeting concerning the citizens of Sevier County, then, by the grace of God I shall. If it takes tax dollars to defend our Constitutional and God-given rights, I am for spending the money.� Commissioner Harold Pitner, who holds Seat 6B, was more succinct. “No compromise, no change,� Pitner responded. Meanwhile, Seat 8B candidate Andy Moore
Constable 3From Page A1
Day registered to run as an independent against incumbent George W. Lawson, a Republican. The breakdown: n District 1, Seat A: Incumbent Jimmy C. Maples has opposition from Dale A. Noland and Delmar Spence n District 1, Seat B: Incumbent Ronnie R. Sutton is running unopposed n District 2, Seat A: Incumbent Roy Von Campbell has no opponent n District 2, Seat B: Incumbent Samuel D. Ayers faces Jerry R. Stoffle n District 3, Seat A: Incumbent Bryan Lee Ogle has opposition from David
A list of County Commission candidates in contested races on the Republican Primary ballot Tuesday:
entertainment and attractions as we invite more visitors to Sevier County. Increased year-round tourists will result in greater uninterrupted employment for service people, such as cooks, housekeepers, clerks, etc. Our small businesses, banks and other support industries can all work together to boost a year-round economy.� Building on local hillsides Another big issue is an how local land use should be regulated. After about three years, the county’s Hillsides Taskforce is set to present its recommendations for new regulations on building on steeplysloped property. Though the vote on that matter will likely come before any new commissioners would be seated, it seems likely debate will continue. The candidates were asked if they think the county should move forward with pushes to impose additional rules on local development, with the answers from Seat 4C challengers Roger Radel and Marty Loveday summing up the reasons county officials say they’ve move forward with the regulations. “We need to always strive to protect the beauty we have and the reason people come to this area with reasonable and responsible development,� Loveday said. “We need responsible development to create jobs and opportunity for people of Sevier County.� While Loveday worried about the impact on the local scenery bad building can have, Radel shared concerns about safety. “Land owners should
have the right to develop their property, but with standards that need to be adhered to,� Radel said. “The developments should have safety standards and not cause damage to any surrounding properties.� Seat 3B challenger John French said he’s hopeful the county will quickly embrace the hillside development standards. “The group of people that makes up the hillside task force have devoted a countless number of hours researching and establishing a basis for the new rules,� French said. “I feel they have done an outstanding job on the recommendations that are to be presented to County Commission to help preserve and protect our county’s beauty for future generations.� Commissioner Phil King acknowledged the difficulty of the matter and what a balancing act it is for county officials. “I represent citizens who want regulations and citizens who are builders, so while looking at this issue we need to allow development while at the same time protecting the natural beauty and heritage,� King said. “This is a tough issue. People come to our area for the beauty of the mountains and natural scenery. We need to make sure it is protected.� The only candidate to specifically speak out against new rules on development was Seat 10B challenger James Dykes, who was direct in his opposition. “The county has enough rules,� Dykes said. “We should just keep what we have.�
he would provide a marked car for use if elected. In District 2, Seat B, Ayers said he typically spends 25-35 hours a week on the job, but spends additional time as needed. He said he uses an unmarked car. Stoffle said he would spend 40 hours or more on the job, and would use a
marked car if elected. In District 3, Seat A, Ogle said he has two vehicles equipped with radios — one that’s marked and one that isn’t. He said he works at least 20 hours a week. Huffaker said he would work similar hours; he did not respond to the question about using marked cars.
t Elec
MARK
STRANGE 3rd District School Board Paid for by Friends to Elect Mark Strange Kellie Strange - Treasurer
Elect Gerra (Davis) Mary
9th District County Commissioner Seat B
Vote May 4, 2010 As Your Representative I will work toward: s %STABLISHING COMMUNICATION WITH THE CITIZENS AND KEEPING THEM INFORMED ABOUT THE AFFAIRS OF Seymour and Sevier County. s %LIMINATING 'RIDLOCK ON #HAPMAN (IGHWAY AND "OYD S #REEK AND IMPROVING EGRESS FROM CERTAIN SUBDIVISIONS WITH THE ADDITION OF 4RAFlC ,IGHTS s )MPROVING GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND BEGINNING RECYCLING PLASTIC GLASS AND PAPER s 3ECURING 3EYMOUR S FAIR SHARE OF REVENUE FOR SCHOOLS IN ORDER TO BRING THEM TO THE LEVEL OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS IN 3EVIER #OUNTY s %STABLISHING 0ARKS AND 2ECREATION !REAS FOR CITIZENS OF 3EYMOUR s &OLLOWING ALL RULES REGULATIONS AND LAWS OF THE county and state. 0AID FOR BY %D $AVIS 4REASURER
Paid for by Citizens For A Better County Government Jeff T. Sims Treasurer