Republican David Dishman is challenging Democrat Randy Yates for the job as Assessor of Property for the county. Both candidates were asked the same questions -- why they want the job, why it’s important, why they feel qualified, and any changes they would make. Their answers are paraphrased below.

David Dishman, 51, Turtletown. High school graduate, some junior college. Has been operations manager with Navistar International Corp., GM Truck Division, Motor Fuelers, Inc. Currently operates a small egg production farm, subcontractor, and cemetery lot maintenance.

I don’t have anything against Randy Yates, I just think he’s been in there a long time. A lot of us feel the current officials have been in office too long. I don’t question Randy’s capabilities or judgment. It’s just time for a change.

I will be honest and treat everybody fairly. I’ll sit with the big wheels in Nashville and tell them we need to take it easy. We can’t compare our property to Winchester, Maryville or Knoxville. We need to keep the property tax down and keep the appraisals fair, to look out for our community.

I’m just a down-to-earth person, not a salesman. A lot of my friends and neighbors and the Republican Party asked me if I would be interested in running.

The average citizen doesn’t know anything aobut the office unless they are selling property or it’s tax time or appraisal time. I would like to re-evaluate things. Quite a few residents feel they’ve been totally gouged. I don’t know if we can do anything legally to change that. If we could prove an appraisal was incorrect, I would hope the state officials would agree. There needs to be fairness, no favoritism or buddy-buddy stuff.

I think my credentials, my morals and standards would make me good for the job. I like to help everybody I can help. I want to see our county survive whatever we’re going through. I love my county and want to do a good job for it. I think most intelligent people vote for the person who’ll do the best job, not the party. I have integrity, I’m a hard worker, and I believe there is always room for education.

The most important responsibility of the job is giving a fair appraisal value to people’s property. That’s the most important thing to the community -- to keep a fair rate for our citizens, not Nashville. There are not a lot of opportunities on the East side of the county. Documentation and record-keeping are also important but the voters just don’t want to pay too much.

It’s in the voter’s hands.

Randy Yates, 51, Benton. High School graduate, four years as contractor apprentice with TVA. Worked in construction for 19 years, has been Assessor for 12 years.

I want to continue doing what we do. The county is growing and our experience and knowledge is a plus to continue growing with the county as it grows.

The key change I’ve already started working on is making sure all businesses operating in he county, including contractors, have a business license and pay personal property tax. They have to report personal property if they do more than $50,000 work in the county.

The county is growing quickly. I hope the Planning Commission, County Commission and my office can keep working closely together.

The most important functions of the office are to make sure everyone is on the tax rolls with property properly appraised, being in compliance with personal property rules, taking care of property transfers, and staying in compliance with the state Division of Property Assessment so we can continue getting grant money.

With my 12 years of experience and training, I feel I’m the best qualified. My staff and I have taking all available training. I have an outstanding staff that does a great job. We have no failed any audits or state monitoring. Everything has been in compliance.