IBEW Local 311 (Chattanooga TN) member seeks Trenton Commission Seat

Pittman Seeks Commission District 2 Seat

From staff reports

Scottie Pittman, 33, lives at 123 Pinoak Road in Trenton and is married to wife Aimee. They have three children. He can be reached at (706) 657-8453 and (423) 413-6572.

The Democrat has served as a county commissioner since Jan. 1, 2003. He graduated from Northwest Georgia High School in 1988 and attended Chattanooga State and Walker Tech. He has taken several county commissioner training courses in association with University of Georgia.

The electrician works for Norfolk Southern Railroad and is a member of Davis Community Center, Northwest Georgia Bulldogs Club, and IBEW Local 311.

Prior relevant working history related to elected position: In the 2000 election I ran for and won a four-year seat on the Dade County Commission during which time I have been able to build relationships with others in state and county government and community leaders that will be crucial in bringing needed services to our district. Because of the redistricting of the commission seats, I am required to run again after 18 months in office.

Public misconceptions about office: One of the more common misconceptions I have encountered, one I shared prior to taking office, concerns the amount of time and cooperation required to achieve goals within the community and the amount of federal and state government regulation and red-tape involved with any project. Some people might also be surprised to learn, as I was, the extent of services having to be covered within the county budget. New roads and recreational facilities throughout the county would be nice, but these needs have to be balanced with the need for adequate law enforcement and emergency services.

Why I chose to run besides "civic duty": Having lived on Sand Mountain my whole life, I have felt that there were times over the years when this community wasn't always a priority in regard to county resources and facilities. I have worked hard to rectify this situation during the past 18 months and I will continue to do so. We have made great strides toward our goals of having a community center and walking track at Davis. There is still much work to be done and I believe the experience I have gained will be a great asset in achieving these goals.

Biggest public concerns, problems with office: One of the main problems facing all county governments today is the budget shortfalls caused by cutbacks in funding from state and federal government. It is top priority for county commissioners over the next few years to continue to provide top quality services to residents while controlling millage rates.

Should the county organize a centrally located paid fire department, like Walker County did, to guarantee someone will respond to emergencies and lower insurance costs? I believe that a centrally located fire department would actually detract from services in the more outlying areas of the county. I feel that county funds would be better spent by making sure we provide these departments with all the resources needed and by working closely with fire chiefs to find ways to continue improving services.

Which employees, if any, should be driving county vehicles home? Only those employees on call 24 hours-a-day responding to emergency situations should be allowed to drive county vehicles home. These employees should continue to be held accountable for the mileage on these vehicles.

Should the county increase funding for recreation? The current county budget provides ample funding for our recreational facilities. One of the short-term goals of the commission is for our recreational facilities to provide the county with an additional source of revenue.

Employee raises and longevity pay are often cut to balance the budget. Is that proper? The employees of Dade County have received a raise in the last two budgets. I believe that employee pay and benefits should be cut only as a last resort.

Do you support the assessment freeze? Do you feel it was proper for a commissioner sue the county over a tax rate law that a majority of voters approved? I support the assessment freeze, as I would any other proper avenue that would provide tax relief for homeowners. The voters should have the final say in any matter, and anything approved by a majority vote should stand, under any circumstances.