Laraine King Runs For Re-Election As Mayor

BY JOHN M. JONES JR., EDITOR

Greeneville Mayor Laraine K. King is seeking re-election to that office in the upcoming election.

Election Day is June 1. Early voting is currently under way, however, and will continue through Thursday, May 27.

Elections for the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen are conducted on a non-partisan basis. Candidates run for office as individuals rather than as party representatives.

King, 61, of North Main Street, is completing her first term as mayor, having been elected to that post in 2008.

She served three terms as a Greeneville alderman for the 1st Ward, from 2003-08.

From 1990-94 she was a Democratic member of the Greene County Commission, elected as a representative of the 10th Commission District.

She is a graduate of Greeneville High School and studied business at North Carolina State University, the University of Massachusetts, and Tusculum College.

She is a retired business owner in the fields of retail and restaurant management.

King is a Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville.

A member of the Tennessee Textbook Commission, she is a former chairman of the Greeneville-Greene County Library Board, and is a former president of the Downtown Merchants Association.

She is a past treasurer of the Pilot Club of Greeneville, and is a former president of the Greene County Democratic Women's Club.

Currently, she serves as a member of the Executive Committee of the Greene County Partnership, a member of the Kinser Park Commission, and a member of the Greeneville Regional Planning Commission.

She is also a member of the Main Street: Greeneville Board of Directors and the Roby Fitzgerald Adult Center Board of Directors.

She states that she has received "various awards over the years."

King gave the following responses to questions asked of both candidates for mayor by The Greeneville Sun

* Why are you a candidate for mayor?

King: "It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Greeneville as mayor for the past two years.

"I am working on several projects to bring new jobs and capital investments to our community, as well as several job retention projects. I would like to see these projects completed and to continue the progress for our town."

* What do you believe is the most important quality that a mayor needs in order to handle this complicated, many-faceted job? What in your background and experience do you believe best prepares you for this office?

King: "The Mayor must be independent, have strength and leadership abilities, and have vision to administer the day-to-day duties that are required of the position of chief executive officer.

"With my strong background in business administration and the past two years serving as mayor for the Town of Greeneville, I believe I am well prepared to continue to move Greeneville forward wisely and securely.

"I have had to make several tough decisions in the past two years, but I believe I have helped the entire town as a result.

"My ability to make executive decisions has resulted in the highest level of staffing in the Police Department in years, the ISO rating in the Fire Department has been improved, all Parks & Recreation programs have been maintained including improvements to all parks and facilities, and improvements in service in Public Works plus added recycling opportunities have been accomplished.

 "All these services have been maintained and improved, with no layoffs.

 "I have the time, the work ethic, and I am committed to the citizens of Greeneville to move us soundly into the future. I consider the position of mayor a full-time job. I will continue to do so if re-elected."

 * Think 20 years into the future. How do you see Greeneville in 2030? Do you expect growth by "infilling" within the town limits? Do you anticipate a substantial amount of annexation around the current town limits?

 King: "In 20 years, I anticipate Greeneville being a lively and viable community that will have a place for the next generation.

 "Through planning and working together, we (the people) can accomplish anything. Our infrastructure is such that services are available for expansion, if the citizens agree.

 "Industrial buildings are plentiful, as well as residential properties of a wide range."

 * In your opinion, should the person elected/re-elected mayor take any action concerning the controversial 2008 transfer of maintenance staff from the Dept. of Parks & Recreation to the Dept. of Public Works? If so, what action should be taken? Please explain the reasons for your reply?

 King: "If the town can use hard-earned taxpayer dollars more efficiently, then now, as in 2008, we should do so.

 "A change in 10 employees' supervision has shown substantial positive results and saved substantial tax dollars. Our parks and facilities, purchased and built with tax dollars, are safe and secure for all children and adults.

 "Nothing needs to be done differently at this time."

 * Within the last 10 years, have you been a business partner, property co-owner, etc., with any other candidate for mayor or alderman? If so, give the basic details. Would you see it as a problem for current or recent business partners to serve together on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen? Why or why not?

 King: "I have no business relationship with any elected official. I believe it is very important for elected officials to be independent from each other, from employees, and anyone who contracts with the town.

 "I have always maintained that independence. If an official has a conflict of interest, sound judgment is potentially a question."

 * Closing Highland School has been mentioned as a real possibility after the upcoming 2010-11 school year, to balance the school budget. What is your position on this question?

 King: "I have always believed that neighborhood schools are the best schools. Administrators and teachers have a better feel for a child's needs if they are aware of that child's surroundings and socio-economic background.

 "I am sure the Director of Schools and the School Board members will weigh all the possible pros and cons before making a decision to close any facility."

 * What steps do you see as appropriate and needed in the Greeneville Historic District?

 King: "The Historic District of Greeneville is one of our largest industries. Visitors come from all over the country to explore our downtown and the surrounding area.

 "It is imperative that we maintain the District to make it as attractive and safe as we can, so that our visitors, as well as our citizens, will continue to feel welcome.

 "Many steps are being taken now to improve and promote the area, through the National Park Service, the Nathanael Greene Museum, Main Street: Greeneville, and the Greene County Partnership Tourism Department.

 "The Town is also making continual improvements to the streets and sidewalks in the area.

 "Once the Rediscover Greeneville project is able to move forward, the downtown area will truly 'come alive.' "

 * Are you comfortable with Greeneville's current level of long-term debt? Why or why not?

 King: "At the present time, the outstanding debt level in Greeneville is being reduced annually without a tax increase.

 "In the past two years, the outstanding bonds for the renovation of Greeneville High School and the Airport have been stabilized after the bond market crash. Barring any further economic downturns, the bonds will be paid off in 15 years as scheduled.

 "To grow and move forward, the town will always have some debt. Like any family budget, Greeneville will need to be cautious on spending more than we are able to bring in on a regular basis.

 "These are tough times. We should not take on any more debt."

 * Unemployment has been very high during the past year, and while somewhat better now, is still around 15 percent. What, if anything, can the Greeneville Mayor (or Board of Mayor and Aldermen) do to help employers keep jobs here, and help in attracting new jobs and employers?

 King: "Job retention and recruitment is number one on my schedule.

 "I have been working tirelessly with the Greene County Partnership and leaders in the community to work with our existing industries to help them survive the downturn and to expand the market for them.

 "I was on the team that worked with American Greetings to keep the local facility in Greene County. I am working with several others at this time.

 "I have also taken part in recruiting several possible new entities who are exploring our community.

 "Many opportunities are available, but we must work together to make our area a positive destination for business and industry."

 * If you wish to comment on something not covered in a question, please feel free to do so.

 King: "The people of Greeneville are our greatest asset. They provide the tax dollars that in turn provide the services to this community.

 "For Greeneville to grow and prosper, the mayor needs to spend those tax dollars sensibly and use sound judgment in carrying out the duties given to her by the Charter and the Code.

 "I took an oath to do just that and have followed that oath every day as mayor.

 "If given the opportunity to serve as mayor another two years, I will continue to promote Greeneville to provide jobs for all, to spend sensibly, and to move the town forward to a prosperous future."

Healthcare Issue Raised Freshman Roe's Stature

Published: 11:32 AM, 02/17/2010

Congressman's Medical Expertise Was Evident In Debates, On TV

BY BILL JONES
STAFF WRITER

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, R-1st, of Johnson City, became one of the most recognized first-term congressmen last year as a result of his efforts to promote the Republican position on healthcare reform legislation.

Roe, a retired physician and a former mayor of Johnson City, sat down on Monday afternoon with Greeneville Sun Editor John M. Jones Jr. and others on the Sun's staff for a wide-ranging conversation about his first year in Washington, D.C., and his plans to seek re-election.

Roe narrowly defeated former U.S. Rep. David Davis in the August 2008 Republican primary election and went on to defeat Democrat Rob Russell in the November 2008 General Election.

'READY TO GOVERN'

Roe said he is "ready to govern" if the Republican Party regains a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate in the November congressional elections.

"You just have to make some decisions," he said. "You can't do everything for everybody."

He noted that during hearings held by a subcommittee on which he serves last year he found a summer "volunteer program" being proposed that would cost the taxpayers "$27,000 per volunteer."

He noted that, by comparison, an entry-level police officer in Johnson City made only $31,000 a year, while entry-level school teachers earned only $31,000 or $32,000.

"I said, 'Look folks, this is a volunteer program, and you're spending that much money on one volunteer,' " Roe recalled Monday in the interview here, "but it passed without a problem.

"I'm telling you there are thousands of examples like that in the budget. It would be one thing if we had the money, but we don't."

MEMBER OF 'WHIP TEAM'

Only six weeks after he arrived on Capital Hill, Roe said, he received a call from Republican House Whip Eric Cantor, a fifth-term congressman who represents the Seventh District of Virginia.

The Republican Whip assists the Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives in coordinating the party caucus in its responses to legislation and other matters.

Roe said that during a private breakfast meeting, Cantor asked him to join his "whip team."

As a result, Roe said, he has been called to the House floor on short notice a number of times to debate issues with which he is familiar, such as healthcare and the environment.

HEALTHCARE ROLE

Asked if he could have anticipated becoming nationally-known during his first year in Congress, the freshman Republican lawmaker replied, "the subject matter was right."

He noted that hearing a question-and-answer session early in his 2009 tenure in Congress that was led by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia played a key role for him.

"What an amazing man he is," Roe said of Scalia. "About midway through, Justice Scalia, said that when you're in the minority, your job is to go out and be as knowledgeable on the issues as you can be, then discuss those so people have both sides of the equation."

Roe said he decided to do just that.

The freshman congressman said he brought in representatives of "think tanks," ranging from the conservative Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation to the liberal Brookings Institution, to provide information and analysis about healthcare to him.

"We would sit in my office, and I would say, 'If you were the czar, what would you do to improve healthcare in this country,' " Roe said. "We got a group of basic principles down, and I put an [op-ed column] together for the Washington Times newspaper.

"As we began to write more and talk more [about healthcare] on the House floor, we were able to get out on the [TV] networks," Roe said.

DOING HOMEWORK

He said he was surprised to learn that many congressmen appear never to prepare in advance for congressional hearings.

He noted that he always reads material in advance of hearings.

"I spend a tremendous amount of time reading," he said. "And to be effective, I think you have to."

He noted that members of Congress receive packets of information prepared by committee staff members in advance of hearings.

"They [staff members] will even write questions for you [to ask]," he said. But Roe said he prefers to review proposed hearing testimony and other material in advance and then formulate his own questions.

"My staff knows I want information the day before," he said.

Asked for his view on President Barack Obama's invitation for Republicans to "come together" with Democrats on Feb. 25 to address healthcare issues, Roe said, "I hope he's sincere, but I have something of a jaundiced eye with that."

Roe said he remains somewhat skeptical because he is yet to receive a response to multiple letters and e-mail messages he has sent to the White House asking for an opportunity to take President Obama up on an offer the President made publicly to go over healthcare legislation "line by line."

He noted that he had read the 2,000-page House version of the healthcare reform bill.

"When you start reading the bill, you find out what's in it, and some of it isn't so good," Roe said.

He said a Washington Times reporter raised the issue of Roe's request to meet with the President to review proposed healthcare legislation during a White House news conference. That question at the news conference, he said, brought his offer to national prominence.

Still, Roe said, he has not had a response from the White House to multiple inquiries from his office.

'ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS'

"I am absolutely serious about this," Roe said. "This was not a partisan jab for me. This was not a grandstand.

"This was something to take advantage of 30-plus years of [medical] experience and experience with a 'public option' [TennCare] in Tennessee that failed miserably. It almost bankrupted the state."

Roe said he feels Obama should have taken advantage of his experience. "The President may have chosen not to listen, but he should have taken advantage of it," Roe said.

Now, Roe said, a game of "chicken" is being played in Washington over healthcare legislation.

"Unfortunately, egos are so far down the road, but what we need to do is move that 2,000-page monstrosity out of the way," he said.

Roe said there was no Republican input into proposed federal healthcare legislation.

He also said no member of the House Physicians' Caucus had been consulted about proposed healthcare legislation.

"You can't pass a bill that affects all of us in a personal way on a partisan basis," Roe said. "It needs to be bipartisan, and it's not. I think we need to trash it and start over."

'JOB CREATION'

Roe said the need to create more jobs for Americans continues to be one of his primary focuses.

He introduced the Economic Stimulus for Rural Communities Act, which would create a tax credit for rural employers when they hire a worker from a rural community.

In addition, Roe noted, he co-sponsored the Economic Recovery and Middle-Class Tax Relief Act, which would:

* cut income taxes 5 percent across-the-board;

* dramatically expand the child tax credit (increases from $1,000 to $5,000);

* permanently reduce the capital gains and dividend tax rates by 15 percent;

* repeal the alternative minimum tax on individuals;

* reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 25 percent to promote job growth; and

* reduce federal spending spending by one percent across-the-board except for defense and veterans spending.

In addition, Roe said, he opposed job-killing "cap and trade" tax legislation proposed by the Obama administration and the Democrat-controlled Congress.

ADVOCATE FOR VETERANS

Roe said he has worked to create a two-year budgeting process for the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure quality services and care.

He noted that until that change, the Department of Veterans Affairs often didn't know when it could hire people or how much money it could spend during a given fiscal year because of the way the government's budgeting process worked.

In addition, Roe said, he supported legislation to strengthen the VA's programs to reduce the number of homeless veterans.

Roe said there are believed to be about 120,000 homeless veterans, a fact he called "a tragedy."

"One homeless veteran is too many," said Roe, who is a U.S. Army veteran with service in South Korea.

Roe noted that he also co-sponsored legislation to increase payments to surviving spouses of deceased veterans.

He said the payment situation for surviving spouses of military personnel killed in wars has improved.

Roe recalled that when he was a youngster, his former Scoutmaster had been killed during the Vietnam War and that the Scoutmaster's family then received only $4,000 in compensation.

The congressman also said that he had supported legislation to end the penalty of deducting veterans' disability payments from their retirement benefits.

He said retirement and disability are separate issues and that veterans who had been led to believe they would receive retirement benefits during their years of service should actually be able to receive those benefits in addition to disability benefits.

Roe also said he was working to ensure that the transition from military hospitals to the Veterans Affairs system is "seamless" for wounded military personnel.

"It's anything but [seamless] now," he said.