Three Republicans are the only candidates vying for this open seat. JoAnn Birrell is an executive at Waste Management. Stephen Moon is an architect at the Beck Group. Earl Stine is an IT management consultant.

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

Birrell: The poor economy is the number one issue facing Cobb and the US. I plan to implement an initiative called "Keep it Cobb." It is a 3-tier approach that incorporates the ideas of businesses, residents and local government to get the economic gears of Cobb moving again. I also plan to conduct an audit of each department to cut any waste and increase efficiency to keep taxes low.

Moon: The economy. Families and businesses are struggling. I am uniquely qualified to provide leadership in this area. Our company's annual volume is often larger than Cobb's budget, and as an Operations Manager, I watch payroll, budgets, and spending every day. As the first candidate in this race, I announced my fight to keep Cobb's property tax millage rate the lowest in the region. This is why our family chose Cobb after several years working in another state. I would: complete a top down cost review of departments to find ways to streamline; avoid risky new tax schemes such as the HOST which have failed elsewhere; listen not only to business leaders, but also moms, homeowners and diverse groups to garner their suggestions; continue offering early retirement in hopes of attrition rather than layoffs or furloughs; and study closing offices early or on Fridays like the City of Atlanta.

Stine: The first priority is the economy; TAXES-JOBS-GOVERNMENT SPENDING. Taxpayers must not face a tax increase. We need to go to zero based budgeting, meaning that every year each department must start with a zero budget and justify every expenditure and position. This would ensure that we explain all expenditures and each and every position in the budget. This will show ways to streamline the budget as well as point out any duplication in services between departments. I have a plan to eliminate Property Taxes for County Operations. My Plan includes a great deal of study and public discussion. No Citizen should be faced with higher taxes. I propose an overhaul along the lines of HOST or SPLOST. Let the people from other areas who use our roads and services pay part of the bills. Studies show that approximately 33% of Sales Taxes collected by Cobb are from non-Cobb residents.

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



Birrell: I'm not in favor of increasing taxes however, with the economy like it is and current SPLOST revenues down I would support a SPLOST over raising property taxes. The voters will need to decide on referendum and projects designated for penny.

Moon: Commissioners should not answer this yes or no - the voters do. I am willing to put it to a vote. I am the only candidate who has served on the SPLOST Oversight Committee, so I know how valuable these special projects are. Commissioners do not champion the SPLOST. Their job is to develop a list of projects, and let the voters decide. Personally, I think we have used the SPLOST as a way to get things done we used to do with the general fund or bonds. Now, the primary way to maintain our roads and upgrade our transportation is by depending on the SPLOST. Citizens are tired of SPLOSTS and the manner in which they were placed on the ballot on special election days costing taxpayer money. My guess is the vote would be close, but I am willing to let the voters decide.

Stine: First off it is not a penny, it is approximately $132M (2009 collections). In order for another SPLOST to be voted on it must have greater transparency than in the past. Projects must be specifically and clearly defined. The projects should not necessarily be allocated evenly money wise between the Commission Districts the emphasis should be on the need and benefit to all of Cobb County citizens. The voters need to know exactly what they are voting for before they vote!!

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

Birrell: We would all, I think, love to see the Arts prosper but in this time of need in our county, we have to get back to the basics and prioritize spending to focus on essential government services (i.e. Public safety and infrastructure). I oppose any efforts to spend money on items outside of those essential government services.

Moon: No. Don't get me wrong. I love the arts and have been a patron of the arts in two cities, including here. I have been an award-winning performing songwriter, a trained vocalist, and play three instruments. I have been a life-long member of church choirs, praise bands, and was an art teaching assistant at architecture school. My point is that government is responsible for essential services like public safety and transportation. SPLOSTs repair older bridges and build safe sidewalks for schoolchildren. If we ask for more pennies to be split, we are going to miss out on essentials. Government cannot be all things to all people.



Stine: No, the arts community should be funded by ticket sales. The Arts should be additionally funded by private individuals, corporations and foundations, through private grants - not taxpayer's money.

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

Birrell: I would not favor a tax increase by millage rate. I don't want to see essential government services cut back either but they must be run leaner and meaner than ever before. We must prioritize spending and focus on core and essential government services- period. I will review the current budget and only retain those services the government is constitutionally bound to perform and focus on ways to reduce taxes.

Moon: I favor a cut back in services, like most homeowners. My wife is a stay at home mom, so I am the wage earner for our family. I earned less this year due to the economy in my industry. My wife and I had to adjust our budget and our spending. We cut some of the extra things we enjoy doing. Voters want government to do the same. The City of Atlanta has closed doors on Friday, and last time I checked, their services still get delivered. Cobb has enjoyed a long history of having the lowest millage rate in the region. This is a line in the sand I won't cross as Commissioner. No millage increase.



Stine: I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FAVOR A MILLAGE INCREASE. We need to look at doing more with less and eliminating non-essential services. If we increase the millage rate it will hurt property values. Government needs to live within its means- ELECTED OFFICIALS NEED TO KEEP THEIR PROMISES TO THE VOTERS.

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?

Birrell: I don't see how we can drop our membership in ACCG since the County receives many benefits and training from ACCG, however, that does not mean we have to support or agree with everything ACCG supports. I will support all efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and those employers who hire them. I will support the e-verify program as well as Sheriff Warren's 287(g) efforts. A letter to ACCG stating our position on this issue would be in order.

Moon: No. Voters need to understand the ACCG actually supports policies to ensure legal status for hiring and public benefits. They work to register counties in the E-Verify program and provide training in these requirements. Most industries have an umbrella organization that give their workforce training, education, and best practices. I belong to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and use them as my resource for state-mandated continuing education required to keep my license. Likewise, County Commissioners need a place to go to keep their skills sharp and learn best practices from other governments. I applaud groups holding government accountable in immigration policy, and hope the conversation continues.

Stine: No. We must remain engaged with ACCG and influence them to support policies and ideas that favor Cobb County taxpayers. We must have a dialogue on traffic, growth, water and pollution solutions. I believe there is a definite advantage when we are able to engage in issues that are of concern to Cobb County and it is good that we have official membership in an organization that all other counties/County Commissioners are members. As to illegal aliens, which is apparently why this question was asked, I believe our immigration laws should be strengthened and enforced so that only those non-citizen workers who are properly documented and allowed to enter our country on a basis of need to our farmers, contractors, and businesses that require a work force that is not available from our citizens. Our borders should be secured and closed to criminal elements and illegals.

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?

Birrell: I think we have to show those who contract to the county that we mean business on this issue. We will prosecute and use the law that we have now to enforce, with meaning, the assurance of only using legal citizens to work on and county projects including purchasing goods and services. I would use the same principle Arizona's law is based upon. It is the principle of attrition through enforcement. When our immigration laws are enforced, illegal aliens leave. So, I would support enforcement of our current laws. The public sector and private sector should all be required to use E-Verify.

Moon: Voters are upset that illegal immigrants were discovered working on the Cobb Superior Court construction project. We have to understand that the majority of labor on building projects comes through subcontracts. I am the only candidate who works in the architecture and construction industry. My company is designing and constructing a Federal Courthouse Annex among hundreds more projects. We monitor and ensure that no illegal labor is used down to the subcontractor level, and we monitor it regularly as the project progresses - not just on day one, as is county policy. I would look into additional monitoring and reporting of labor as the construction projects progress.

Stine: Since it came to light that some sub-contractors were using illegal alien labor, the county has changed the rules and not only does the contractor have to use E-Verify for all employees but all of the sub-contractors have to use E-Verify as well. As long as we enforce this rule then we are okay.

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

Birrell: I believe the Chamber could be a viable solution to help spark growth in our county. I believe this should be a partnership between the County and Chamber. I want to be sure of what tax payer dollars, if any, would switch hands and see what the Chamber is putting up in this partnership. Regardless of the plan, we need to partner with the Chamber of Commerce, our schools, healthcare professionals and hospitals to attract new high-paying jobs to Cobb. Economic development is a team sport, and we need an all hands on deck approach.



Moon: Absolutely not. As voters learn about my campaign, they learn I'm for transparency in government and accountability to voters. I read with great disappointment the manner in which some of our elected officials and Chamber of Commerce leaders tried to move ED to the Chamber. I'm sure everyone involved wants Cobb to prosper. But, that's not the point. The point is that the Chamber and the Chairman's Club are not elected officials accountable to voters. There's a trail of campaign contributions among some of the people involved, banks doing business with Cobb County, and Chamber leaders endorsing candidates while serving on the Board of Elections. Now, we see County funds moved to the Chamber. I have taken no contributions of this kind, so I will be fighting for homeowners, not paying back favors. This effort has failed, and I won't support it in the future.

Stine: I do not support having our tax dollars pay for staff who report directly to non-Cobb County management employers. I do support efforts to privatize government services where possible to save tax money and deliver a higher quality of service to the Cobb County citizens. If the Chamber desires an economic development division then it should be supported by its membership and not by the taxpayer. We should maintain a county economic development effort coordinated by the County Commissioners. If the Chamber takes over the Cobb County Economic Development Department then the citizens are taken out of the loop. We must keep the citizens of Cobb County in the loop. If we were to want to partner or outsource the economic development to the Chamber it would only work if there is appropriate accountability and transparency.

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

Birrell: Again, a partnership with the County and Chamber could be a viable solution but I still think the County should have control of this department. It could be managed by the Chamber but ultimately overseen by county.

Moon: Absolutely not. Money equals influence. Voters see a too cozy relationship between Chamber and some County Commissioners. They try to control who runs for office and who gets elected. The government and Chamber need a working relationship, but government business should be conducted by County staff under the Commissioners purview. If the job is done poorly, vote the Commissioners out of office. Don't outsource to a group with no accountability and no oversight.

Stine: Presently, the CCVB is a 501C6 Corporation that is apparently independent of the county, with the county having oversight and influence by virtue of Cobb's one designated board member, (Commissioner Woody Thompson) and also whatever influence the county has through the Cobb- Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority by virtue of Commission appointments to that authority, the Cobb County Commission Chairman being a designated member. The CCVB has 11 board members. The Cobb- Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority designates 5 members, the Cobb Chamber designates one member. That member has to be approved by the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority. The president of the Cobb Municipal Association designates one member. The CCVB internally elects other members for a present total of 11 members. From the information I can gather it appears to be working very well and should continue as is.

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

Birrell: That depends on what the projects are and if they promote economic development in a partnership with the County and Chamber and community as a whole. I do think it should be controlled by the County with a minimal amount of costs to the Chamber for housing and staff time and office space. At any rate we need to assure that any spending of taxpayers' dollars is used wisely and in total compliance with its stated goals.

Moon: Absolutely not. Members of the Development Authority have served on Commissioners campaign committees, contributed money to Commissioners, have lobbied Commissioners for Cobb contracts, and surprise-they have contracts and business with Cobb government. I am proud to be a candidate who is not tied to any of these efforts by Cobb or the Chamber. I will be representing voters and taxpayers, not rewarding campaign supporters.

Stine: No. All constitutional authorities that have access to public funds should use those funds in strict accordance with enabling legislation. We must have more transparency and accountability with taxpayer funds not less. Anyone assigned to manage funds, absolutely must be accountable and report directly to the county manager and ultimately the Cobb County BOC. My policy would be that all public funds must be managed by public (i.e. county) employees.

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

Birrell: I can see why this could benefit our county. We've just seen many very competent employees leave us and on a person to person case, I would approve this. Budgets would have to be strictly adhered to in all case with every department. ... Again, it would be necessary to review those services government is constitutionally bound to perform and reassess employment, budgetary and other needs as appropriate.

Moon: No. As an Operations Manager, I understand hiring, benefits, retirement, and seasonal employment. If these positions are truly non-essential, then let's say farewell, and take the savings. Let's promote younger staff to new leadership roles and allow people to advance their careers. I recently met with a County Director who lost several top people. One of these individuals had a specialized knowledge and skill set. In rare instances, I could support a few like this coming back - at under 29 hours per week so as to be part time and not collect the full fringe benefits package.

Stine: I will be in favor only if it saves the taxpayers money. My policy will be that retired employees should be hired back only if the position is absolutely essential for providing necessary services for the taxpayers. We should attempt diligently to operate with a smaller, more efficient government; we should make every effort to incorporate that position into other employee's responsibilities. New hires should only be allowed when taxpayer services are reduced as a result of eliminating any position.

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



Birrell: When I am elected, it is one of my goals to do a complete audit of the entire county's operations to see where waste can be eliminated.

Moon: I will look into the county policy to select the Low Bid for services. As an architect, I evaluate bids regularly, and low bid is seldom the best value in the end. With inexperienced or shaky vendors, change orders or mistakes can end up costing the taxpayers more. How many of us buy the cheapest clothes, or cheapest car? No, most of us want decent quality at a fair price, not necessarily the lowest price. I would like to see Best Value bidding. Proposers are ranked on technical capabilities and approach. If the best ranked company is within an acceptable price range, then they are awarded the contract. Also, no vendors or their employees should be allowed to contribute to candidates or sitting Commissioners. My firm and architect's code of ethics prohibit this for good reason. Government is a public trust.

Stine: We need to totally change the way we do budgeting. I will support implementing zero-based budgeting, meaning that every year each department must start with a zero budget. Every department should justify each and every position and expenditure at budget time rather than simply bringing forward the existing budget.

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

Birrell: I believe we're governed by some very strict laws about how we conduct our business and ourselves. I'd like to see that these laws and good principles are always adhered to and brought to the public's attention.

Moon: Publish the candidates' and Commissioners' disclosure reports in the newspaper. Also, in addition to the campaign and personal financial disclosures, we need disclosure reports on business done with the county. We need to understand what county business or contractual relationships a candidate or Commissioner has. I don't think a candidate, Commissioner, or their political contributors should be awarded County contracts. It's a conflict of interest. While good people may be involved, public office is a public trust. There can be no trust when motives can be called into question by the influence of money. No gifts, no influence, no money. My company's policy is no gifts to politicians, period. Cobb has county departments who bring in shared staff from private firms. These firms and their executives are big contributors to candidates, and continue to receive county contracts. Where is the outrage from the public? Where is the media coverage?

Stine: County commissioners should not in any circumstances be employed so that their employment should raise any questions of ethics or conflicts. Serving as a commissioner should never ever have the appearance that their outside employment would benefit them or their employers as a result of them serving on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.

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

Birrell: I would not be in favor of expanding the commission. Any expansion in government means some contraction in the private sector. Government's role is to support the private sector not expand it arbitrarily. Any plan to contract the size of the Commission board would need the input of the community.

Moon: I want average homeowners to have more input and Commissioners to have less power. Let's study smaller districts with more Commissioners earning smaller salaries. Let's study evening and weekend hours so average people can access government after a full day's work. Recently, as an architect, I met with Henry County officials. They have five districts for 201,000 residents. Cobb has four districts for 700,000 residents. As Vice President of NE Cobb Homeowners Group, I have heard homeowners and neighborhoods want simple phone calls returned and more input in county decisions. I am not running to earn the part-time salary, but to serve citizens, so make the salary smaller. I have a private sector job where I earn enough to live on. We need Commissioners who work and commute to real jobs. Let's study reducing Commissioner pay and power, and watch true public servants step forward to run!

Stine: Cobb County has been operating well under a five person commission and I would not recommend the addition of any commissioners. A larger commission, including adding required support staff, would be more expensive to operate.

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

Birrell: Not at this time however, I would enjoy the opportunity to work with our General Assembly as Cobb's District 3 Commissioner.

Moon: Yes. Give the Chairman less power, not more. Perhaps the Chairman position should be a three-quarter time or half-time position. That way, we can attract the best and brightest candidates who are executives in successful and innovative companies. Right now, executives cannot sacrifice their professional careers to stop and serve the people as Chairman because it's a full time job. We need private sector expertise on the Commission, not simply people with spare time and good intentions. We need more candidates to want this job. Only two people out of 700,000 residents are running.

Stine: No. If there are any legislative changes needed they are not apparent to me at this time. However, I would support a dialogue between our legislators and the Board of Commissioners if the public or other Commissioners think a change needs to be made. I like the Chairman having to vote on issues because it requires a greater degree of accountability for the person in that office.