1. Given that there’s a serious economic recession and given that many — if not most — defined benefit plans are in trouble across the nation, explain your position on the county’s new retirement plan.

Answer: Nearly 80% of defined-benefit private company pension plans across the country are underfunded and pension funding problems are also hitting state and municipal governments. This doesn’t make them bad plans it’s just that during these economic times they are much riskier than defined-contribution plans (e.g., 401K). It’s also important to realize that many of the private companies and government entities are heavily unionized and they have a much more lucrative pension plan than the Fayette County plan. But regardless of the payout, defined-benefit plans are a gamble for both sides – employer and employee.

Personally I prefer a defined-contribution plan both as an employer and as an employee. As an employer I know that my commitment every year will be a percentage of the payroll. As long as I am aware of the payroll costs I can effectively budget for the plan. As an employee I prefer to have a more active role in my financial future. Though everyone may not have the resources to actively participate in financial planning, there is a much better chance of achieving larger gains through mutual funds than a traditional pension plan. Also as an employee I like the mobility of a defined-contribution plan. Circumstances change and I (or my spouse) may have an employment opportunity that takes me away from my current job. I don’t want to be tied to a job for several more years waiting to be vested. I want to take my gains and move at my discretion.

2. Do you have any numbers on what such a plan will cost taxpayers in 10 years, 20 years? If you don’t have the numbers, why not and why should we believe your projections?

Answer: Any numbers at this point would be purely speculative. Pension plan funds are generally re-invested in the company and the stock market. In this case the plans would most likely be invested in bonds and mutual funds. Nobody is certain where the stock market is going in the next 10 months let alone the next 10 years so it is very difficult to determine. In addition, it would be prudent to have an idea as to how many employees are planning to retire in the next 1 to 5 years. This would help determine how heavily we would need to front-load the funding.

3. Again, economic realities have forced many private sector businesses and families to forego raises and increased spending. Are county workers — with big new raises — exempt from what the rest of us are facing? Defend (or condemn) big raises using taxpayers’ money at such a time as this.

Answer: First of all, what is the definition of a “big new raise”? Is a big raise a percentage or a dollar amount? If an employee is making $18,000 per year and gets a 10% raise ($1,800.00), is that more or less generous than an employee making $60,000 getting a 4% raise ($2,400.00). By the same token, doesn’t it sound a bit like socialism if government worker pay is tied to the success or failure of the private sector? And, how much of the private sector should be considered?

My understanding is that the pay increases are due to a pay study commissioned to determine the relative pay for like employment in similar situations. According to the data that I was presented, our County workers are underpaid in some situations. It is in our best interest as an employer to fairly compensate our workers. We don’t have to be at the top of the scale but should be above the median. It is well documented that employees who know that they are underpaid in comparison to their peers are less motivated and perform at a lower standard. Though these employees many eventually quit or be terminated, it is much more costly to interview/hire/train new employees than to keep the ones that you have.

4. What specifically will you as a Republican do to ease taxpayers’ burdens when you are elected?

Answer: 1) Analyze the budget to ensure that we running lean; 2) Begin looking toward next year’s budget and work with the Administrator to encourage department heads to start looking early for ways to reduce spending; 3) Analyze the capital projects list to determine the needs; 4) Look for ways to partner with municipalities and other entities to co-op our efforts; and, 5) Analyze head count data to determine if any areas are overstaffed or if cross-departmental job sharing would be beneficial.

5. Suppose I’m a real estate developer who wants to rezone 100 acres in the center of the county to double its current residential density. How will you evaluate my request, step by step? And how would your governing philosophy incline you to vote on my request?
(If you can’t answer, why should anybody vote for you?)

Answer: I don’t make decisions before hearing all of the facts and doing my own research. In my 4 years on the PTC City Council I was always very reluctant to rezone parcels of land unless it was in the express interest of the citizenry. In this situation I would rely on information from all applicable departments and hear the arguments of the developer and any interested parties. I would have all information related to schools, the need for public services, the zoning of the land surrounding the area, and the current use of the land. I would weigh all of these factors then determine how this would benefit the county and what the potential pitfalls would be for the county. I am very cognizant how a rezoning can set a precedent for future requests and would error on the side of caution before granting such a request.

6. How would you describe your political philosophy? Are you more conservative, more libertarian, or more moderate to centrist in your political views?

Answer: Conservative. Government should be out of your face and out of your wallet.

7. In what area of service is the county most falling short right now? What would you do about that failure?

Answer: Local transportation for seniors. Fayette County has great facilities for seniors but it can be difficult and costly for the seniors to get to the facilities. We also have terrific senior services in both PTC and at the County level. I’m not suggesting that we eliminate one of the services but am suggesting that we look at coordinating the efforts of the two groups to ensure that our seniors have the means to participate in the programs.

8. Why are you better for Fayette County than your opponent?

Answer: I am running against two opponents and will address them separately.

Peter Pfeifer – Peter is a good man who has served this county well, but it is now time for new leadership. As of late his modus operandi is looking for fault as opposed to driving toward a good solution. Let’s not confuse “independent leadership” with writing letters to the editor. A true leader should voice his concerns at the regular meetings and not wait days or weeks to announce his deference and point blame at others. I am always well prepared for meetings and stand by my decisions. I believe that every issue has a solution and I don’t believe in compromise to get to the solution. With compromise both sides are giving in so both sides lose. In government, as in business, the best solutions are achieved when all parties check their egos at the door and concentrate on the best solution and aren’t concerned about who gets credit for the success.

Lee Hearn – Lee is also a good man but I have two major issues concerning his ability to lead Fayette County:
1. His relative inexperience in determining and implementing policy at the county level. Being an effective Commissioner is not just about building roads. This skill is important to a certain degree but in our current economic state we cannot afford to have a commissioner learn on the job. We need proven effective leadership from someone with significant experience in both the public and private sector.

2. Conflict of interest with his responsibilities in Henry County. I’m not questioning Lee’s integrity but if you hear something in executive session in Fayette County or in confidence in Henry County it is extremely difficult if not impossible to forget about it when you’re performing your other duties. Lee publicly affirmed that his “first allegiance is to the people of Fayette County”. Is he saying the same thing to his employers in Henry County? I have no hidden agenda and no conflicts of interest.

9. What are the biggest three challenges facing Fayette right now?
What will you do about these three challenges?

Answer – Crime, traffic, and budget constraints.

Crime – depending on who you listen to crime is up or down, growing or receding, we do or don’t have a gang problem. Regardless of the true facts we each have our own perception of crime and our perception is our reality. As a County Commissioner candidate it is easy to say we need to support our Public Safety personnel, and I know that we all mean it. However we need to do more than just provide the tools. All of the sheriff candidates are talking about cooperative efforts with other Public Safety personnel in the cities and county. This should be encouraged at the Commissioner level and we should work to remove any obstacles that prevent full cooperation. In addition we need to work with the various City Councils to:

— Develop a comprehensive plan to address crimes by illegal immigrants. We can’t wait for Washington or Atlanta to handle the problem. We need a county-wide initiative that we all agree on then carry that to our neighboring counties and then the state.

— Enact a common approach to deal with single family homes being used to house multiple families. This should also encompass landlords that aren’t enforcing our codes.

Traffic – traffic solutions aren’t just about building roads. Of course we need to improve our access in and around the county but keep in mind that the better the roadways and the easier it is to get around the more enticing it is for more people to use the roads and eventually we’re right back where we started. Many commuters leaving the county are traveling to white collar jobs. We must increase our work with the Development Authority and City leadership to attract more businesses that address this segment of the workforce. In addition, we should use our influences to encourage companies outside of the county to implement or expand telecommuting opportunities. Finally, for those that must commute, a regional commuter service with a collection point in south Fulton county should be pursued.

Budget – budget issues are a known fact in government, business, and at kitchen tables through the country. It’s not just about recognizing the issues but formulating an action plan and implementing the plan that separates the doers from the wannabes. We need commissioners that don’t just say they are stewards of your money but also have the experience to analyze the issues, determine alternatives, and make the best decisions. I have significant budgeting experience in both private business and City government that will transfer to the County level and enable me to make immediate contributions in this area.