A Conservative Republican for County Commissioner
FAQ
Name: Richard M. Briggs
Web Site: www.votebriggs.com
Position Sought: Commissioner, District 5, Seat C
Party Affiliation: Republican
Why I decided to enter race: I felt the citizens of Knox County had lost confidence that elected officials were acting in their best interests. The upcoming election offers citizens a rare opportunity to reclaim their government and decide how they wished to be governed. I enter the race as a candidate with extensive military and civilian leadership experience, a commitment to integrity, and a desire to return ethical government to Knox County.
What is the most pressing issue facing Knox County? How would you address this issue? I feel the most pressing issue is to restore the trust and confidence that county government is acting in the best interest of our citizens. The county commission must adopt a strong ethics policy and insist on accountability at all levels of government. The government must be responsive, transparent, and attentive to the needs of Knox County citizens.
What sets you apart from your opponents: I have extensive leadership experience in both the military and civilian sectors. I have held leadership positions in military and civilian organizations with more personnel and larger budgets than the Knox County government.
To avoid any perception of conflict of interest, I decided to self-fund my campaign and I do not accept donations from any corporation, company, or special interest group. I am avoiding any association or situation that might appear to compromise my integrity and give the impression I will act in any manner other than in the best interest of our citizens.
Have you ever run for office previously or served in elected office in Knox County? No
Do you have any family members in paid or elected positions within Knox County government or its agencies? No
Describe your personal philosophy of openness and transparency in government. My personal philosophy is very simple. Government must be completely transparent and open to the public. We must never forget, it is the people’s government and the people have the right to know how the people’s business is conducted.
How – if at all – should Tennessee’ open meetings and public record laws be improved or changed? Please be specific. The courts have recently ruled that two officials meeting in private constitute a violation of the Open Meetings Act. I do not think you can improve on this interpretation. A committee has met in Nashville proposing a change to the state law that would weaken this strict interpretation. The new proposals will be debated in the upcoming session of the state legislature. I am opposed to a more liberal policy, except where private deliberations are in the taxpayer’s interest, such as discussions on future property acquisitions and price ceilings. In these circumstances, minutes should be maintained and released at the appropriate time to reassure the public that officials are acting in the public interest.
What concrete steps should Knox County leaders take to restore a sense of trust and confidence in the county's government?
- Adopt a strong ethics policy for all elected officials and county employees
- Restructure county government for clear lines of accountability
- Establish a strong, independent, and apolitical Office of Internal Audit or Office of the Inspector General to establish, monitor, and enforce uniform standards of policy and accounting
Please write 100 words below telling about you and why you believe voters should cast their ballot for you.I want to serve as Knox County Commissioner because I understand the issues that are important to all Knox County residents, from improving the quality of our schools to protecting homeowners’ rights and ensuring public safety. Voters must trust their elected officials, and as Commissioner, my first priority will be to reestablish that trust.
I am firmly dedicated to restoring an ethical government in Knox County – one that is composed of officials who will always put the voters’ interests before their own. I believe character counts and I am determined to make Knox County government responsive, transparent, and citizen-driven.
What role should the Knox County Commission play in the development of Knox County Schools? The Knox County Board Of Education, as the governing body for the school system, evaluates needs, sets policy, allocates resources, and implements strategies to ensure all students have access to a quality education. The Board develops, approves, and submits a budget request to the county mayor for consideration as the annual county budget is developed. The budget is then sent to the County Commission for funding. The Board of Education must operate within the budget set by the Commission. The Board of Education sets policy and should not be influenced by the County Commission. The Commission can only influence the development of Knox County schools by assuring funding of the Board of Education’s priorities.
How should Knox County address its mounting public debt? Like any individual or business, government must learn to live within its means. Knox County presently budgets about 9% of its expenditures to service the debt and maintains AA bond rating by Standard and Poor's. Looking to the future, the county must be smarter and more efficient to avoid increasing the public debt and hurting the bond rating.