2006 Raven Society Candidate Position Questionnaire –
Mr. Mike Walker

1. What is your occupation? (Please list primary and all secondary.)

·        DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc.

 

2. Please list all schools, colleges, and universities that you have attended and all degrees you have earned.

·        Graduated Heritage High School

·        Current Attending Axia University

 

3. Why have you chosen to run for office?

·        I enjoy to opportunities that are given to contribute to my community by serving

 

4.  What makes you qualified to hold this office?

·        2000-2007 Blount County Commission District 4 Seat A

·        2007-2008 Tennessee House of Representatives District 8

·        2002-present Blount County Commission District 8 Seat B

 

5. What do you see as the three most critical issues facing Blount County?

·        Roads

·        Schools

·        Law Enforcement

 

6. How do you propose to address each of these three issues?

·        Adequate funding

·        Planning

 

7. Are you familiar with the Hunter Growth Strategy completed in 2005? 
Yes or c No

How would you incorporate the results into your own decision-making in your new or renewed position?

·        Many of the results are not new.  The results are bits and pieces of a puzzle that maybe used in various ways to produce an out come or direction that may/maynot be desired by the citizens of Blount County

·         

8. How would you assess the current pace of development in Blount County?

I choose not to answer this question at this time.
 
c  Too slow

c  About right

c  Too fast

 

9.  Do you support the passage of an Adequate Facilities Tax or other Development or Impact Fee?   Yes or c No

Why or why not?

I have voted before in favor of  the adequate facilities tax and look forward to seeing a option given to the local government by state legislature.

 

10.  Are you familiar with the Knoxville Transportation Organization and its impact on road/highway planning in Blount County?  Yes or c No

Would you support a measure to increase communication between our county representatives to this body and our county legislative body?  Why or why not?

I believe that communication needs to be increase in all areas of County government.

11. Do you support the extension of the Pellissippi Parkway from Old Knoxville Highway (SR 33) to US 321?  c Yes or c No

Please explain why you support or oppose the extension.

·        I truly feel that this is one question that may need to be put to a referendum vote .

 

12. Would you support or oppose the Proposed Interstate 140 By-Pass (Southern Loop) around Maryville and within the County?  
c Yes or c No

Why?

13. What do you plan to do to prevent or encourage the completion of the Southern Loop?

(Please see 11)

 

14. How do you intend to address the development pressures these potential new roads will bring, including impacts on Blount County's secondary roads, schools, public services, air, and water quality?

·        By going to the residents of the 8th commission district and seeking direction and input.  By having a open line of communication with the residents of the district I represent.

 

15. What do you see as the best way to protect the rural, natural, and historic qualities of Blount County?

·        I truly believe that Blount County is a desirable place to live not because of government rules and regulations but be cause the people who have lived in the areas describe above were/are committed.

 

16. What is your vision for Blount County in 5 years?

·        No answer at this time

 

17. What is your vision for Blount County in 20 years?

·        No answer at this time