2002 Candidate Position Questionnaire
Dennis Cardin's Response
1. What is your occupation? (Please list both primary and all secondary.)
Retired Teacher
2. Please list all schools, colleges, and universities that you have attended and all degrees you have earned.
Everett High and University of Tennessee
3. Why have you chosen to run for office?
As a retired educator, I see the need for people to be involved in Blount County's government. If we do not stay involved, we will have a government that is controlled by special interest.
4. What do you see as the three most critical issues facing Blount County?
(1) Providing job opportunities for our citizens.
(2) Maintaining affordable taxes for our citizens.
(3) Maintaining a quality education system for our young people.
5. How do you propose to address each of these three issues?
(1) I will support the efforts of our Industrial Board in creating quality jobs for our citizens. We also have to provide the educational training to equip our young people with the necessary skills required by employers.
(2) I support an impact fee rather than increasing general taxes. People who are moving to Blount County are in large part causing the need for increased spending on infrastructure. They should be paying to solve the problems they are creating.
(3) I will continue to support the efforts of the School Board and the Director of Schools in providing the best educational product we can. As a retired teacher, I see the value of investing in our education system.
6. What is your vision for Blount County/Maryville in 5 years?
It is my vision that Blount County remains a county with a good mix of urban and rural areas. I don't want to see Blount County be an extension of West Knoxville.
7. What is your vision for Blount County/Maryville in 20 years?
In 20 years, I would hope that Blount County's planning process is not controlled by developers and other people with a vested interest in turning this county into one large subdivision.
8. Do you support the extension of the Pellissippi Parkway from Old Knoxville Highway (SR 33) to US 321?
c Yes or x No
If you checked "yes", is it because (check all that apply):
c You believe it is a "done deal" with T-DOT, and that the County government cannot affect the outcome either way.
c It will benefit commuters to Knoxville, both for shopping and employment.
c It will enhance Maryville/Alcoa businesses.
c It will open up new areas for development, both because of access and because the sewer lines will follow the interstate.
If none of these apply, please explain why you support or oppose the extension.
9. How do you intend to address the development pressures this extension will bring, including impacts on Blount County's secondary roads, schools, public services, air and water quality?
I oppose the extension. Blount County's quality of life is at stake.
10. Would you support or oppose the Proposed Interstate 140 By-Pass (Southern Loop) around Maryville and within the County? Why?
I oppose the loop because it is my opinion that the road would just increase urban sprawl. Increased development is not progress. Outside of developers, I see very little benefit to the average citizen.
11. What do you plan to do to prevent or encourage the completion of the Southern Loop?
I plan to let the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Governor, and our state legislators know of the wishes of the people of the sixth district.
12. Are you familiar with the County's Five Primary Planning Guidelines, which were formulated from a Land Use Study conducted in 1998? How would you incorporate the results into your own decision-making in your new or renewed position?
I will support the guidelines as long as they do not conflict with the wishes of the majority of the people of the sixth district.
13. What is your position on the annexation compromise (Public Charter 1101)?
I think PC 1101 was a bad law. It resulted in much litigation. The only persons benefiting were the lawyers. Going to court does not foster good relations between the cities and the County.
14. What is your opinion of the Cities and the County working together in land use planning? (As the Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Authority operates.)
Working together is fine, as long as Blount County's interest is not compromised by another entity. We should maintain our autonomy.
15. What do you see as the best way to protect the rural nature of Blount County?
Limit development.
16. What do you see as the best way to protect the unique environmental features of Blount County (Little River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, etc.)?
Limit development.