2002 Candidate Position Questionnaire

Bob Miller's Response

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

Retired

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

Everett High School

3. Why have you chosen to run for office?

Because of past issues where citizen input was ignored and totally disregarded when final decisions were made. Also, because of the many issues facing Blount County citizens that as yet have not been resolved.

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

(1) Lack of citizen participation

(2) Building of roads which displace Blount County citizens

(3) Ever increasing property taxes

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

(1) I will address this issue by personally soliciting discussion from voters in my district as I campaign. If elected, I will insist on openness on all topics before the commission. Many issues must be by referendum of the people.

(2) I will assist any group opposing roads that disrupt the lives of Blount County citizens, create urban sprawl and add to traffic problems for the benefit of a few and are being built on the wants of non-elected officials.

(3) I will insist that all proposed projects necessitating increased taxes, be justified, and that all ordinary citizens, not a committee, be in the decision-making process when major projects are undertaken.

6. What is your vision for Blount County/Maryville in 5 years?

With the decisions being made by government officials on road building, I can see tremendous traffic problems with all the additional traffic being funneled in by state highways. I can see the total decline of the county's rural setting as we now know it. There will eventually be few green areas or farms left for Blount Countians to enjoy.

7. What is your vision for Blount County/Maryville in 20 years?

If the present trend continues, I see Blount County being transformed into a Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge, total urban sprawl and no natural green areas remaining.

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.

I oppose the extension because it is not necessary. Taking of citizens' property, in my opinion, can never be justified.

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 will ask that a total impact study be accomplished that will cover all these items in detail. This should be accomplished prior to the start of any construction. This study should also show how building this road will benefit the majority of Blount County citizens.

10. Would you support or oppose the Proposed Interstate 140 By-Pass (Southern Loop) around Maryville and within the County? Why?

Oppose. It is just another snafu that is not needed. We already have the Foothills Parkway that would serve the same purpose without having any further effect on our environment, roads, streams, etc.

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

Again, I would support any group opposing this project and would be available to go see, talk to whomever I need to, or whatever would be necessary to prevent the completion of this project.

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?

Yes. I agree in principal to all five guiding policies. I would insist that these policies be adhered to. I would also insist that any deviation from these policies be approved by a vote of all Blount County citizens. I would also insist on Impact Studies and inspections on developing new roads, subdivisions or schools and that Impact Fees be assessed to cover the additional cost to our county's infrastructure by developers and their developments.

13. What is your position on the annexation compromise (Public Charter 1101)?

Blount County government and Blount County citizens should make the decision on expanded boundaries for the two cities. Compromise should be based on the cities' needs and not their wants.

14. What is your opinion of the Cities and the County working together in land use planning? (As the Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Authority operates.)

I am against any combination of City/County Planning. County Legislators are elected by Blount County citizens who have their own ideas of county land use which I greatly respect. Based on the aftermath of the PC1101 negotiations, cities would want too much of Blount County in their annexation zone.

15. What do you see as the best way to protect the rural nature of Blount County?

Follow Land Use policies and implement Planning (not Zoning) to carry out these policies, while having ordinary citizens be involved. Insist that any projects, including subdivisions, submit complete Impact Studies. Initiate inspections by the Planning Department to insure compliance with these policies.

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.)?

Again, implement Land Use Planning with ordinary citizens of Blount County being totally involved in all planning and also be involved in all phases of proposed changes in the Blount County that we now know.