Incumbent Republican Helen Goreham is seeking her third four-year term. Her primary challenger, Leonard Church, is a former mayor of Kennesaw. Barring an upset by an independent candidate, the winner of this primary will take office, as there is no Democratic candidate.

Q. What is the No. 1 issue facing Cobb, and what would you do about it?

Goreham: JOBS! We need to focus on increasing business in our county and the success of all local businesses while improving programs to encourage more employers to move and remain in Cobb. With jobs, our homeowners and consumers will increase spending, our local economy will improve and we will see a reversal in the decline of property values.

Church: We need to offer blighted areas, such as run down shopping centers, incentives to renovate. The responsibility of the Commission is to help create jobs in a sustainable and responsible method and to help small businesses, which have been the core tenants of my run for the Cobb County Commissioner seat. Organizations such as the Cobb County Advisory Board and other local experts can be utilized to achieve job growth that address traffic congestion and sustainability issues. Two other areas for possible consideration would be a freeze on business inventory tax for two years and coordination with the 6 cities to reduce duplication of services, if any, and pass the savings to taxpayers by reducing the millage rate.

Q. Cobb's transportation SPLOST ends Dec. 31, 2011. Do you favor another SPLOST and how would you divide the penny?

Goreham: I am not in favor of a tax increase and would advocate a decrease in the State sales tax. However, if a strong case was made for projects vital to preserving the quality of life that we enjoy in Cobb, I would probably agree to offer a SPLOST proposal to the taxpayers for their consideration and vote.

Church: Would favor a transportation SPLOST only with the explicit understanding that those dollars would be spent on projects that improve our infrastructure and make Cobb County a more attractive place for businesses to grow and expand. We cannot simply do another SPLOST without having a better plan to spend the money wisely.

Q. Do you favor a proposed law that would allow part of the SPLOST penny to fund the arts?

Goreham: NO. Although the arts do increase the quality of life for many in Cobb, their operation should be self-supporting. SPLOST dollars should only be spent on infrastructure and other capital needs, not on operating expenses. There are other ways to fund the Arts such as local, state and national grants.

Church: We are in tough economic times, do not believe it's the Governments responsibility to fund the arts at this time. Therefore would ask private patrons to carry the support of the arts while we focus on creating jobs for our community. When economics improve we can re-address the arts. Would not favor a proposed "law" that would allow part of the SPLOST penny to fund the arts at this time.

Q. If Cobb's budget crunch continues, do you favor a millage increase or a cutback in services?

Goreham: A millage increase should only occur as a last resort after all practical austerity measures have been exhausted. The county has already implemented a number of painful cutbacks and will continue to seek ways to restrain operating costs without risking loss of essential services, especially Public Safety. I am hopeful we'll see a rebound in our economy well before we become forced to increase millage rates.

Church: Increasing the Millage rate will do nothing to alleviate a budget crunch. It's not the fault of our citizens that property values have decreased, why put the burden on them? Essential services will not be cut. We need to lead by example by cutting spending, NOT increasing taxes. Next, if we can work on the twin goals of attracting more business to Cobb County, in a responsible, sustainable fashion, we can more than overcome the budget crunch though increased business tax revenues. We have to get Cobb County working again by keeping it an affordable place for families to live and work, increasing the millage rate is wrong!

Q. Do you think Cobb should drop its membership in ACCG (Association of County Commissioners of Georgia) because of its actions regarding illegal immigrant workers?

Goreham: No. The ACCG openly advocates use of the e-Verify and SAVE programs by its members. If member counties disagreed with actions of the ACCG, it would be easier to correct the problem from within as opposed to walking away from it. Recently the ACCG helped clarify immigration language in legislation before the last session and testified FOR their adoption. Cobb County officials are committed and want their position clearly understood that compliance with immigration laws is a high priority and deviation will not be tolerated.

Church: No. Every professional organization takes unpopular stands from time-to-time. I think the better way to go is to become more active within the organization and work hard to make sure the opinions of Cobb County are representative of the people of the county.

Q. What would you do - over and above what is being done now - to make sure county work does not go to any illegal immigrants?

Goreham: Cobb County contracts require that all contractors involved in the contract e-Verify all employees. However, enforcement of this requirement at the subcontractor level and below is difficult, at best. I favor adding a clause to the contracts which would penalize the prime contractor for any compliance failure by the prime contractor, the subcontractor(s) or any other contractors involved in performance of the contract. As stated earlier, Cobb County intends to fully comply with our immigration laws.

Church: The only way to achieve compliance is to make sure the penalty for non-compliance is bigger. Either obey the law or receive a very stiff punishment. We need to make sure proper documentation of workers is preformed and hold employers accountable. The Cobb County Administration office is up to the task of making sure the letter of the law is applied, but the law won't be followed if the punishment does not outweigh the reward.

Q. Do you favor outsourcing the County's Economic Development effort to the Cobb Chamber? Please explain.

Goreham: No. The citizens of Cobb County expect Economic Development to be performed by the county and want to hold their elected officials accountable to high performance standards and for effective utilization of taxpayers' dollars. I am in favor of studying ways to make the process of teaming with the Chamber more cost effective, timely and efficient. However, delegation of the responsibility and decisions to the Chamber does not appear to be a practical action at this time.

Church: Outsourcing is favorable ONLY if it delivers economic value to out community. Would prefer to maintain our economic development effort within the government because we have the power to offer incentives for companies looking to relocate to Cobb County. A chamber does not have the same authority.

Q. Do you favor the Cobb Chamber taking over the management of the Cobb Convention and Visitors Bureau?

Goreham: No. The taxes collected by the Bureau are public money and the accountability of these funds must be the responsibility of elected officials, subject to the same financial review and disclosure as all the other County funds. In addition, the Bureau is an important player in the Economic Development of the county and both functions should report to the same chain of command.

Church: Again, outsourcing is favorable ONLY if it delivers economic value to our community. If the chamber is willing to assume the management and the costs, then would be in favor of that change. These two organizations have similar objectives and use the support of there members (i.e. hotels, tour operators, caterers, etc....) to offer special incentives to attract conventions to our community that the Commissioners do not have.

Q. Do you think the Cobb Development Authority, which is managed and housed at the Chamber, should use public funds to support Chamber projects?

Goreham: NO. All public funds must remain controlled under the County's budget process, subject to all normal reviews and approvals. Within those conditions it would be normal to "purchase" services from the Chamber just like any other vendor, but the approval of such must remain with the elected officials and their designees.

Church: First, let's review what the CDA does: Established in 1973 by resolution of the Board of Commissioners. This authority exists for the purpose of developing and promoting trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities in the county, thereby promoting the general welfare of the county residents. Carrying out that purpose, it may finance certain projects, including air and water pollution control facilities required by industries. Under that description, I believe the CDA should be housed under the responsibility of the Cobb County Commissioners and, therefore, not have public funds being used for chamber projects. Who elects the Chamber of Commerce members? Do the citizens of Cobb County? The Chamber is a private/public partnership and the expenditure of taxpayer money must be controlled by the officials elected to regulate the taxation and spending of those funds.

Q. Do you think Cobb County should hire back any county employees that took early retirement?

Goreham: No. Although some employees are being invited back in critical areas to convert full time positions to part time positions, it is done without encumbering the county with retirement or health benefits exposure. In each case where a position will be filled it will generally be with a qualified person who is earning less due to seniority or job classification.

Church: While I don't have all the specifics, I believe that might open the county to a discrimination lawsuit. Once an employee has retired, they should not be rehired as this is a form of "double-dipping." We need to make sure that we are not overloading our budget with pension liabilities we cannot afford in the future.

Q. Can you specify any waste in county government that you would like to see eliminated?

Goreham: No, but if I find anything of the sort, you can bet I will do my best to rectify it promptly. I have no tolerance for waste of taxpayers' money.

Church: Waste: is determined in the eyes of the beholder. My focus would be providing the funds necessary for the operations of Public Safety. This is the governments primary responsibility. I would like to review the County's purchasing programs to make sure we are receiving the best value for the expenditure.

Q. What would you do to increase the commission's transparency and accountability?

Goreham: The Cobb Board of Commissioners has one of the most transparent and accountable operations in all of metro Atlanta. I favor making all county Budgets and expenditures available on-line as many state agencies do. Additionally, we need to promote the vast information now available on the County website, GIS, etc. The public is not sufficiently aware of the wealth of info available to them.

Church: Accessibility and accountability are critical! Taxpayers have the right to inspect the books period. If we don't do what we promise we are going to do, than the accountability is made at the ballot box the next election.

Q. Would you like the size of the commission made smaller or larger?

Goreham: The size of the commission is just fine, as is. It allows for effective and cost efficient representation of all voters in the county and I envision no need to change it in the foreseeable future. I have had 46 town hall meetings to make my office and the County staff available to all constituents. This has allowed me and my office to remain "in touch" with my constituents and their issues.

Church: A five member commission is working very well and representing Cobb's residents completely. It's not the number of members on the Commission that is important, it is the integrity of the members that brings accountability and confidence to governing.

Q. Do you favor any legislative changes in the authority of the Commission chairman?

Goreham: No. The present authority of the Chairman is quite appropriate. It should not change.

Church: The responsibilities of the Commission Chairman are clearly defined by legislation and has been working well for many years. He or she is accountable to the voters of Cobb County and it is up to them to either keep them in office or elect a new Chairman.