William "Bill" Dabbs is a candidate to fill the vacancy in the 8th Greene County Commission District.

Dabbs, 54, of 316 Oak Hills Parkway, Greeneville, is divorced and has two children, a daughter and a son.

He graduated from Greeneville High School and attended Pensacola Junior College.

He graduated from Correctional Specialist School, in Ft. McClellan, Ala., and from Procurement School, in Norfolk, Va.

Dabbs is retired from the United States Navy and serves as managing partner of Moore & Dabbs Property, as well as managing partner of M. W. LLC (Financial Services).

He served on the Greene County Commission as a commissioner from the 8th District for two terms, from 2002 through 2010.

Dabbs was appointed to the Governor's Economic Development Board from 2006 through 2010, and served as a member of the Greene County Commission Budget & Finance Committee from 2006 through 2010.

He received Commendation Medals from the Navy Marine Corps and has also received Navy Achievement medals.

He has served as a Greeneville City Schools Diversity Team member, a Rotary Club member working for the eradication of polio, and a Moose Lodge member, and is a former Junior Warden for St. John's Masonic Lodge #5.

He provided the following answers to these questions asked of all the county commission candidates by The Greeneville Sun:

Sun: Why are you interested in holding this office?

Dabbs: I served my country for 20 years.

I previously served the county in which I grew up for eight years.

I am interested in the betterment of my county and consider it my duty to advance the interest of the 8th District.

Sun: How do you believe the county should address the overcrowding at the Greene County Detention Center?

Dabbs: I think my experience in the correctional field gives me a unique insight to this problem.

I represent taxpayers and would surmise that they do not want their tax dollars going toward convicts' comfort. That's how the problem is perceived.

The reality is lawsuits, lawyers' fees, for which the taxpayer is picking up the tab.

The solution will not be defined as what is best for the taxpayers, but what is least worse.

Sun: Other than the jail overcrowding problem addressed above, what three issues do you believe are most pressing for the county government at this time? Please summarize your position on these issues.

Dabbs: County income and the county staying within their means [are] my passion.

* I live within my means and I govern likewise.

* I feel our natural resource (our workforce) could be better promoted to attract new industry.

* Polarizing politics: a commissioner's job description is to work with one another and resolve problems, not invent them.

Sun: Do you support the County Commission's recent decision to increase property taxes? Why or why not? Under what circumstances, if any, do you believe you would support another property tax increase in the next two years?

Dabbs: No. The people spoke loud and clear weeks earlier (the Wheel Tax).

In my opinion, an elected official's job is to speak for the taxpayer, not at them. Under no circumstances would I support any kind of tax increase in the next two years.

Sun: Do you have confidence in the effectiveness and ethics of the current County Commission? How do you believe the public's level of confidence in the County Commission can be increased?

Dabbs: This question should be left up to the voters of each district to decide.

It would be my job, if elected, to work with the voters' choices.

I am not going to promote myself by discrediting and dishonoring others.

Sun: What are three goals you would hope to accomplish during your time in office?

Dabbs:

* To bring economic growth to Greene County to the extent of my influence;

* To see to it that the county lives within its means, just as most Greene Countians do; and,

* To lower taxes.

Individuals have learned to tighten belts during leaner times. Government needs to learn this lesson.

Sun: Would you be open to questions and concerns from the public? How would you make yourself available to the public for questions, complaints, etc.?

Dabbs: Yes. My home number is 798-0527.

Sun: What qualities make you a good candidate for this position?

Dabbs: Experience, approachable, frugal and prudent with taxpayers' money.

Brief final comment, if you wish.

Dabbs: I know most of the candidates in this race. All of whom I consider worthy. I hope the answers to these questions will assist the voter in their decision. Thank you.