Robert W. "Bob" Neal

Name: Robert W. “Bob" Neal
Date of Birth: May 12, 1946
Party Affiliation: Independent
Office you are seeking: Sullivan County Commissioner in the 3rd District

1. What is your educational background, including the highest degree you attained and the year it was attained?
I have obtained a high school degree. In addition I have completed courses in business management a North East State and Eastman Chemical Company.

2. What is your professional background, including your present employer and job description and other significant post you have held in the past? If you are retired, what was your most recent employment?
I retired from Eastman Chemical in 1999 after 33 years of employment. I served 16 of those years in a management position.

3. Are you married? If so, please list your spouse’s name and occupation and any elected office they hold or have held in the past.
I have been married to Pat Edwards Neal for 41 years. Pat is employed by Appalachian Orthopaedic Associates as the manager of their Bristol Hospital site.

4. Do you have children? If so, how many and what are their ages? Do they (or did they) attend public schools?
We have one son, Robby, who is 40 years old. Robby attended public schools in Sullivan County graduating from Sullivan Central High School in 1986 and he attended college at East Tennessee State University.

5. Do you presently hold an elected office or have you held one in the past? Please list all elected posts and the years you were in office.
No, I have never served in an elected office.

6. Have you ever been an officer in a political party on the local or national level, worked in a campaign or been a delegate to a political convention? If yes, please provide details and names of candidates for whom you worked.
I have worked several times in the campaign of Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. I have also worked in the campaign of Steve Godsey and Jason Mumpower. Ron has been a close friend for a long time. We grew up in the same neighborhood. We attend Church together where Ron serves as my Sunday school teacher. My family is very close to Ron and Sindy and their family.

7. How long have you lived in the area? If you are not a native, where else have you lived and for how long?
I am a life long resident of Sullivan County. I have seen many changes take place in the county during that time. I knew the late Commissioner Ralph Harr and recognized the efforts, and tireless work he demonstrated during the time he served the citizens of this county. He will truly be missed. My late father retired from the Tennessee state highway department and my mother retired after many years serving in a job in the Sullivan County School system.

8. Who are your three biggest campaign contributors? How much money have you raised in your campaign? Have you taken any special interest or PAC money? How much money do you expect to spend in your campaign?
I have no contributors to my campaign. I have funded the campaign at my own expense. I have taken no money from special interest groups or PAC. I expect to spend less than $1000.00 in my campaign.

9. Do you volunteer your time or give money to local causes? If so, please list them.
I have spent many years serving in programs for Little League baseball, kids basketball and football. I am active in our Church in different areas. I have served on the board of directors of the Bristol White Sox.

10. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime as an adult? If yes, please give jurisdiction and details. You may explain if necessary.
No.

11. Have you ever filed bankruptcy? If yes, please explain.
No

12. Have you served in the military? If yes, please provide details including branch
of service, highest rank, years of service and date and terms of discharge.
No.

13. Have you or your business ever been the subject of a lawsuit, lien or foreclosure?
If yes, please explain.
No.

14. What ties do you have to any business or organization that could profit from action as a county commissioner, no matter how slight the ties or the action? Please explain your plan to avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest.
I have no ties to any business or organization that could profit from my action as a county commissioner.

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1. Why are you running for office?
I have a strong desire to ensure that the voice of the citizens of the third district is heard in Sullivan County. I knew the late commissioner Ralph Harr and was aware of his tireless efforts to serve the citizens in this capacity. I am willing to commit my time and effort to accomplish a high level of government for the tax payors.

2. What do you believe are the biggest issues in your campaign and how do you plan to address them?
The economy is a driving force in our daily lives. The high cost of fuel for heating and cooling schools, transporting students, teachers and other employees has an impact on our education system. Cost of operating highway departments, law enforcement and volunteer organizations who serve our communities are effected, and I have a growing concern for citizens who are trying to provide transportation to their places of employment and also for the cost of providing food and shelter for their families. I believe we should look for ways of conserving energy and working smarter.

3. What will you accomplish during your first term in office? What changes or new programs will voters see?
I will look for ways to streamline, to be more efficient in departments maintained by the commission, and developing new business throughout the county.

4. How accessible will you be to your constituents? How, when and where can people reach you? Are you in the phone book, for example?
I have a public phone number, and a web site which will be available to citizens. I am retired which enables me to be more available. Citizens are welcome to visit me at my home address.

5. What would you do to grow the county’s job base? Which specific industries would you target? Why?
I would target multiple resources. The primary resource would be healthcare. Wellmont is one of the county’s largest employers. Healthcare will always be needed. Energy alternatives is a fast growing industry and should be explored for prospective business in our area. I would promote job base networking, and provide avenues for educators to train for the job market.

6. What should be the county’s spending priorities? When is a tax increase necessary? If taxes aren’t increased, what areas of the budget can be cut?
Most of the county taxes are spent on educating our children. Tax increases are necessary when, and only when, all avenues to find ways to operate more efficiently have been exhausted. A few ways to conserve could be cutting back on travel, four day work weeks, home based working, etc…

7. How will you work with Kingsport and Bristol leaders to accomplish your goals, particularly in light of annexation plans in the cities?
My management experience with Eastman Chemical afforded me the opportunity to work with many people in different areas. It has been my experience that achieving goals is accomplished by cooperation of all parties involved. I am willing to work with both city councils on short and long range goals in a united effort for the good of all Sullivan county citizens. Growth patterns build on cooperation.

8. In light of the ongoing study of Sullivan County schools, what should be done to make sure the system is operating as efficiently as possible? Would you support closing some schools and building others? Explain.
The enrollment projections and facility capacity analysis study for Sullivan County shows that space shortages are not problematic at this time, but attention is warranted. Three elementary schools, Bluff City, Cedar Grove and Valley Pike are operating at 91% of functional capacity falling into the higher level of priority need. Our high schools and middle schools show considerable space surplus. It is my understanding that the next phase of this independent study will give us additional information so that the best decisions can be made jointly by the commission and the Board of Education.

9. Is the county commission too large, too small or just right? Explain.
I have attended commission meetings and have observed the commitment and performance of the members and the mayor in achieving the highest level of service to the citizens of Sullivan.county. I will be honored to work with such a distinguished group. In my opinion it is the performance of the commission, not the size that matters.

10. What is the long-term solution to jail overcrowding? Should a regional jail be explored?
This is an issue that will exist as long as we have crime. We should explore a regional jail as well as other avenues of correcting this problem.

11. Does the county need a nepotism policy? Explain.
This should not be an issue. The most qualified applicants should be hired and employees who demonstrate a high level of performance should be retained.

12. How should the county cope with the rising cost of fuel?
Consolidations of trips made by county departments such as maintenance, law enforcement, and highway maintenance will help to conserve fuel. We should look for alternative fuels and streamline daily routines.

13. What will you do to ensure that Sullivan County’s government operates in the most open, transparent manner possible?
I plan to be open and available to my constituents. I would encourage involvement of the citizens in the commission meetings by attendance and voicing of their opinions.