SENECA — Paul Corbeil

1 Admiral Lane, Salem

Occupation: Financial Services Manager, retired

Age: 64

Residency in Oconee County: 3 years

Education: BA degree in business administration, Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y., 1966; Chase Manhattan Bank, Special Development Program, 1969.

Prior public service: director/treasurer, Keowee Key Property Owners Association, 3 yrs.; director, Mountain Lakes Community Assn; President, S. Forsyth (Ga.) Homeowners Coalition, 3 yrs.; director, Forsyth County Homeowners Coalition; Co-Chairman, Forsyth County Land Use Update, 2004; member Forsyth County Hospital Authority

Robbie Lee

7260 N. Hwy 11, Walhalla

Occupation: owner, Lee's Landscaping & Grading Co.

Age: 37

Residency in Oconee County: 37 years

Education: Graduate of West-Oak High School, attended Tri-County and Greenville Techs, multiple training courses both civilian and military

Prior public service: Army Reserves, 8 years; Disaster Relief Blue Hat with Southern Baptist Association (have responded to various disasters in the US as well as abroad), deacon and Sunday School teacher at Madison Baptist Church

Steven R. Moore

530 Highlands Highway, Walhalla

Occupation: Partner in bottling water, timber/land management, real-estate developing and farmer

Age: 45

Residency in Oconee County – lifelong

Education: Walhalla High School, 1 year Georgia at Tifton Agricultural business technology, 1 Agricultural business management course at Clemson.

Prior Public Service: Oconee representative on Heritage Corridor; Friends of Scouting chairman; chairman, Oconee Tourism Commission; member, Oconee Educational Task-Force; board of directors, Blue Ridge Bank, Oconee County School Board (Vice-Chairman), board of directors, Oconee Memorial Hospital and Oconee County Council. Budgeting experience includes eight years on school board and five years on county council, which included county and all associated budgets.

The following questions were posed by the Daily Journal/Messenger:

1. How would you effectively represent a polarized district where lake residents are frequently at odds with rural residents?

Corbeil: There is too much focus on differences. All residents want their concerns to be heard and addressed. They want effective leadership from their elected representatives. I’ve already established lines of communication with leaders from each community in District 1 and will continue building that dialogue. Reasonable people understand that change is inevitable and want to work together to develop a common vision and set of goals. Half the adults in our county were born here, half were not (46-54%), but we still share the same basic values.

Lee: I would be more involved in the communities and be accessible through e-mails, in person or by phone. I want to hear what people need, not from one precinct but from all seven precincts. We do this by encouraging both the rural residents and the lake residents to be involved in the decision making process. Voices must be heard, but if they are silent, no one can listen.

Moore: I believe I have effectively represented this district and I have found that most issues or concerns are the same with all people. Since this district has the richest and poorest fire districts, I think it gives you a unique perspective. For instance, while some people are concerned with lake quality others are concerned with the quality of our rivers and streams. Most needs, such as: emergency services, solid waste, low taxes and roads are everyone’s concern.

2. Would you support an initiative to add more council districts?

Lee: I prefer small government, however, District 1 is so diverse it could be better served with lines redrawn or the increase from a five- to a seven-man council. I would support a seven-district county but am against a five-district county with two council members-at-large.

Moore: Yes. I believe that single member districts are the fairest representation.

Corbeil: We need to agree on the criteria for defining a district, such as a unique/similar population center. Then we need to apply that criteria to the 2010 census results, and that will tell us how many districts we should have. I am comfortable with either 5 or 7, the most talked about numbers. I believe all district council members should be elected by the voters within the district they serve to ensure the most direct representation for that group of citizens.

3. What is your plan for promoting industrial and commercial development that would create new jobs?

Moore: I believe that we should restructure our economic development department. I could only get into specifics from a council member’s perspective, but I do know what we have isn’t working. A partnership between Oconee, Anderson and Pickens seems a logical start. I also believe that we should target industry we want and go after that.

Corbeil: Everyone needs to understand that neighboring counties are all competing for the same new employers and those with the best overall package will be the most successful. We have important advantages with the quality of our schools, new healthcare facilities at OMC and our lakes and mountains. However, we need to add modern infrastructure, including water and sewer. I support going forward on a priority basis with the already funded engineering update phase of the Golden Corner Commerce Park ($36K), the proposed spec building, as well as an inventory of existing buildings for potential reuse. We must also continue doing everything reasonably possible to support and encourage expansion by today’s local employers. We also need to fully support the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s initiatives. Council must lead these efforts and actively support the Economic Development Commission and director. We have to invest today to create good jobs for tomorrow.

Lee: We must be more aggressive in attracting new job opportunities. We can do this by working with companies and businesses already housed in Oconee County to make sure that businesses here stay here and expand here. We can attract other opportunities by promoting fair land prices, great atmosphere to raise families in, and, most importantly, a skilled workforce eager for new job opportunities.

4. It is likely that when one of you is elected Aug. 25, Oconee will still be looking for a new administrator. What skill sets do you hope this person will possess?

Corbeil: We should be looking for the best possible candidate, with considerable experience, and a demonstrated track record of successful management by objectives, with strong communications, interpersonal and team-building skills. He or she should also be able to effectively advise council and ensure, along with the county attorney, that all council actions comply with both the spirit and letter of the law, regulations and good business practices. The right administrator will also help establish strong working relationships with our municipalities, agencies, commissions, Oconee Medical Center, School District of Oconee County, business leaders, volunteer organizations and the community at large.

Lee: I would prefer a candidate who has a proven track record and has worked up through the ranks and been a devoted and loyal employee in a county and/or municipality similar to what we have. While education is important, experience is a must for this position.

Moore: I have already been involved in the hiring process of a county administrator. I was the council representative that wrote the county administrator ordinance. I’m familiar with the Appalachian Council of Government criteria and South Carolina Association of Counties criteria. I would like to have someone who has managed a county at least as large as ours. We have a unique arrangement here in Oconee County because of the way we work with our school district and sewer authority. I would extensively investigate the employment in which they’re coming from. Preferably, they would also have a business management background.

5. Residents complain when county services are lacking, yet complain louder when property taxes go up. How would you get out from between a rock and a hard place?

Lee: In these tough economic times, I would prefer equal cuts across the board for all departments and/or organizations. These cuts would be minimized and should not affect services; however, would serve to force departments to be more efficient with the money they have without putting unjust hardships on any one department or organization. It is the same thing that we have had to do in our own business: We have become stronger and more efficient by looking for ways to cut expenses while improving our quality and services.

Moore: This is a balancing act; you must give people the basic services such as emergency services, roads and solid waste. The situation is somewhat complicated because the cities provide sewer and water. This is where the quality of life issue comes in. We must seriously consider what kind of county we want to live in. We can have high taxes and everyone can get everything they want or very low taxes and have limited possibilities. I believe that we should strike a “middle of the road” approach.

Corbeil: You manage spending by ensuring that you’re doing the right things, doing them well and doing them cost effectively. If you’re missing one part, you fix it, and good, experienced managers know how to do that. Then you make sure that your tax base is balanced, fair and growth is planned to broaden that base. That is the only sustainable way you can deliver quality services at fair tax rates.

6. Do you support a comprehensive external audit of the county?

Moore: Yes. I would research this issue more if elected.

Corbeil: It shouldn’t be necessary. Council, the new administrator, auditor, treasurer, present and past finance directors and staff should be capable of answering any questions on people’s minds and issue a clean report of our operating plan and balance sheet without outside help. This priority effort would benefit greatly by including qualified, volunteer citizens with outstanding chief financial officer and public accounting experience.

Lee: Yes. I believe in open government.

7. What is it that qualifies you to oversee a governmental operation serving more than 70,000 residents and costing $43 million? Specifically, tell us about your past or current public service experience.

Corbeil: I have 38 years of extensive experience with large, publicly held companies. My undergraduate degree is in business administration, with a major in accounting. As staff, I’ve been responsible for annual budgets in excess of $145 million. I’ve had total responsibility for various service businesses in excess of $20 million with more than 400 staff. I’ve been treasurer of our property owners’ association for the last 2 1/2 years, whose annual operating budget is in excess of $6 million. These businesses have been subject to regular federal, outside and internal financial, risk and/or service audits. None of them has ever received an unsatisfactory finding during my “watch.”

Lee: As a native of Oconee County, I have been raised around the issues concerning this county. I know what it's like to raise a family in this county and have been able to build a business in this county, which continues to grow even in these tough economic times. I work in a business where the schedule changes constantly and where quick thinking, on-demand experience and attention to detail directly affect not only myself and my family but also my employees and their families. Every decision I would make in spending taxpayers’ money would be made with the same concerns as if spending my own. It is more difficult to budget and operate on this level with direct consequences than it is to spend other’s money without consequences.

Moore: I have already worked with eight school board budgets, five county council budgets, five Tri-County Tech budgets, five sewer authority budgets, and from its beginning until I left office, the special tax district fire budget for district 17. I have also worked with my own business budget and as a director at Blue Ridge Bank.

8. This election is being held due to the resignation of former Councilman George Blanchard before the expiration of his term due to philosophical differences with other members of council. Will you commit to serve your entire term if elected?

Lee: Not only will I commit to serve my entire term, but look forward to the next one as well. I have spoken with other members of the current council and feel that while we may have differences of opinions, we can draw strength from those differences in order to reach our goal, which ultimately is the same: to work together to make Oconee County better for all residents.

Moore: Yes. Other than an Act of God.

Corbeil: Yes. I’m signing on for a minimum of wanting to serve through 2014. I’ve met at length with each current council member and am very confident we share common goals for Oconee County and its citizens. I’ve always been a team player and won’t change now.

The following three questions were asked by the Clemson Area Chapter of the League of Women Voters.

How do you feel about the development of the Golden Corner Industrial Park?

Moore: I was the lone vote against purchasing this property when I was on council. I believe our money could be better invested in other parts of the county. About 125 acres of this, which is in a flood plain, should be used for Fairplay recreation such as baseball, soccer, and frisbee fields along with small courses for golf.

Corbeil: We must move forward with a total economic development program, become more competitive with neighboring areas, create quality jobs and improve our tax base. This includes using this asset to best achieve the total plan, while costs are low.

Lee: Due to the lay of the land, the flood plains, the cost of treating runoff, the lack of infrastructure and the current economy, I feel that this land is better suited in its current use as a site for county fairgrounds. However, I would support any opportunity bringing jobs to this county.

Do you believe that zoning protects people's property or infringes on their rights? Elaborate.

Lee: Infringes: anyone who works to purchase their property will be concerned enough not to devalue it. I prefer a comprehensive land management plan. I am in favor of zoning only if it is initiated/approved by those living in an area affected but not imposed on those who are not.

Corbeil: Zoning, as enacted, does not infringe on property rights. It protects those rights. We must have rules and our Zoning Enabling Ordinance allows neighbors to apply for what, if any, rules they want for their community. It then gives community members the right to apply for any reasonable variance.

Moore: I believe that it protects when implemented the right way. The problem comes in when it’s something that you want to do with your land or if it’s something your neighbor wants to do with theirs, but since the ZEO (Zoning Enabling Ordinance) has already been passed it should be crafted in a way that protects everyone. One thing we must always do is protect personal property rights.

Do you support the council/administrator form of government or the council/supervisor form of government? Please explain.

Corbeil: Council/Administrator. The council is elected to lead, set policy and measure results. A qualified administrator is charged with carrying out that policy and achieving agreed to results. Our current form works elsewhere and in business and will work well in Oconee County.

Moore: Council Administrator. I have served under the council supervisor and council administrator and I believe that this is a better form but as one of the four forms of government in South Carolina, it isn’t perfect. I have no problem with the council supervisor if that’s what the people choose. I vow to work with whichever form of government we have.

Lee: I support Council/Administrator because that is what we currently have. We can continue to explore the Council/Supervisor option; however, at this time there are many issues that we need to take care of and we must have an administrator in place to move forward.