This race is between newcomers Stan Smith and Joel Thrift. Following are their profiles and responses to questions asked by the Daily Journal/Messenger.

Stan Smith, 56

Address: Westminster

Marital Status/Children: Wife, Carolyn; two sons and two daughters

Education: Seneca High School; Associates degree in engineering science, Tri-County Technical College

Occupation: Dept. head and instructor of electronics at TCTC; programmer at Oconee Nuclear Station, 1990-2000; currently vice president of Technology Solutions and Innovation Communications

Public offices held/years: none

Affiliations: U.S. Army Reserve, 1970-76.

Joel R. Thrift, 62

Address: 629 Seed Farm Rd., Westminster

Marital Status/Children: Married/2 children

Education: Piedmont College

Occupation: Thrift Bros. Lumber Co.

Affliations: S.C. Forestry Commission, Oconee Red Cross, Oconee County Election Commission, Oconee County Sales Tax Commission, President and founding member of Westminster Chamber of Commerce.

1) Oconee County spent nearly $2 million to establish a new Emergency Services Department in 2007 and has pledged significant sums in the emerging budget for this department. What is your opinion of this department as it exists now? How would you proceed from here with the development of this department and rural fire? As a commissioner, how would you expect to finance this department in the future?

Smith: This entire function needs to be taken back to day 1 and be re-thought and re-done. The original goal was reduction of fire insurance premiums through improved fire protection. This goal seems to have been lost during the several changes this plan has endured. fireman do not like the way it has been done and it simply does not work.

Thrift: Not familiar enough with – must study the issue further.

2) Zoning has been discussed in Oconee County for years. The topic has been actively pursued for much of the last three years. Are you satisfied with the progress that has been made in this area? As a commissioner, what would you do to expedite the zoning/land use planning process? Would you vote for a zoning enabling ordinance? Would you vote for a lake (Keowee and Jocassee) overlay? Would you vote for a Scenic Highway overlay? Would you vote for an economic development overlay?

Thrift: I would support recommendations of a planning commission. I would not vote for a lake (Keowee and Jocassee) overlay as currently written. I would not vote for a Scenic Highway overlay without further study. I would vote for an economic development overlay.

Smith: It is impossible to answer this because the Zoning Enabling Ordinance is in a constant state of change. I would not support the Zoning Enabling Ordinance in its current form, nor would I support any of the overlays due to the lack of citizen input.

3) Getting infrastructure at the county’s Golden Corner Commerce Park has been a long and arduous process for the county. What solutions do you have for more timely development of this property? If you don’t favor development of this park, what is your solution to job creation in Oconee County?

Smith: Getting infrastructure to the commerce park is no longer a County Council matter. It is under control of the Oconee Joint Regional Sewer Authority. Once the Sewer Authority has done their job, we should turn this over to Economic Development for bringing industry into the park.

Thrft: I think the commerce park is an excellent idea. We need to move expeditiously to establish infrastructure to this area.

4) Given that there will be no one-cent sales tax initiative until at least 2010, should Oconee County sell bonds for capital projects? If not, what funding options would you support or would you prefer all capital projects be put on hold? Would you personally support a one-cent sales tax increase for capital projects?

Thrift: I would have to explore other areas of funding before deciding if Oconee County sell bonds for capital projects. I would support a one-cent sales tax with the condition we roll back assessed property values accordingly.

Smith: County Government must have credibility and the trust of citizens of the County prior to requesting this referendum or any further bond indebtedness. I would not support these based on the current Council’s standing with the citizens of Oconee County. The last online survey I saw on upstatetoday.com showed 86% of the people in Oconee County think council is doing a bad or poor job. This must change

5) Current estimates are that Oconee County will finish the year with roughly $12 million in unreserved assets. Finance experts claim $8 million represents the operating costs of the county for 90 days and that this amount should be held in reserve to maintain bond rating and meeting general accounting standards. Do you agree? How would you propose Oconee County should handle its unreserved cash assets?

Smith: We must maintain the 8 million in reserve or our bond rating will drop. If this happens, the cost of existing bonds rises and this is a situation we do not want to be in. I support maintaining the least amount of debt possible. Less debt translates to lower tax burdens for us all.

Thrift: Not familiar enough with it to make a sound decision without further study.