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Scott Depew says his decision to run for the Hamblen County Commission grew out of a desire to better understand the issues affecting the county and to help explain them to others in the community.

Depew, who has lived in Hamblen County his entire life, has been married for 32 years. He and his wife have two children and two grandchildren.

He previously owned a maintenance and engineering business, an experience he believes gives him a practical perspective on operations, budgeting, and long term planning.

His interest in local government began through conversations with friends and neighbors about taxes and county spending.

“People were talking about taxes and some of the issues going on,” Depew said. “I realized I didn’t understand everything behind it.”

Wanting to learn more, Depew began researching the issues himself. He attended commission meetings, spoke with friends who serve in local government, and reviewed public records to better understand how decisions were made.

“I started going to meetings and doing research,” he said.

That process, he said, helped him see both sides of the debate surrounding county spending and taxes.

“People see the negative side of things, but they don’t always see the positive,” Depew said.

One area where he believes county government could improve is in communicating how funds are used and why certain decisions are made.

“People don’t always understand what the money is for and where it goes,” he said.

For Depew, transparency is not simply about making documents available to the public. He believes it also involves helping residents understand the reasoning behind decisions and encouraging greater participation in local government.

“Transparency involves citizen involvement,” he said.

That could include commissioners spending more time explaining projects, budgets, and upcoming issues so residents feel more connected to the decision making process.

“We need to explain what the commission is doing and what’s coming up,” Depew said.

Property taxes and reappraisals have become major concerns for many residents, and Depew said he understands why people are frustrated when tax bills increase.

“Appraisals have been a problem with taxes,” he said.

At the same time, he believes the situation developed over a long period of time. According to Depew, previous commissions often delayed difficult financial decisions, which led to larger adjustments later.

“Former commissions kicked the can down the road,” he said.

Looking ahead, he believes the county could at least consider alternative funding sources that might help balance the tax burden.

“We could discuss the advantages of a sales tax,” Depew said.

Another issue Depew believes deserves attention is the role commissioners play within their districts. While countywide issues remain important, he said commissioners should remain closely connected to the communities that elected them.

“Commissioners should work in their district,” he said.

Population growth is also shaping the future of Hamblen County. As more people move into the area, Depew said property values have increased significantly.

“With the influx of people moving in, property prices go way up,” he said.

Those changes bring both opportunities and challenges for county government as infrastructure, schools, and services must keep pace with development.

The county’s new justice center is one project Depew believes many residents misunderstand. According to him, the facility was not optional once the state determined the existing jail no longer met required standards.

“We had to build the justice center,” he said. “The state mandated it.”

Depew believes his professional background in engineering and maintenance could be useful as the county addresses future infrastructure needs. He pointed specifically to upcoming work related to the local health department as one area where technical knowledge may be helpful.

“That background can help with the needs coming up for the health department,” he said.

He also noted that many county services depend heavily on state and federal grants. Without those funding sources, he said, the financial burden on local taxpayers would be significantly greater.

“I don’t think people understand how many grants are needed to keep things from falling on the county’s shoulders,” Depew said.

Education and workforce development are also important issues for the county’s future. Depew said schools must continue updating technology and software so students are prepared for modern careers.

“Schools need new technology and software,” he said.

At the same time, he believes the region faces a growing workforce challenge. Even when businesses offer higher wages, many employers struggle to find enough workers to fill open positions.

“Industry can pay more, but if there aren’t people to work, that becomes a problem,” Depew said.

Local industry has increasingly turned toward automation as a result, though he said that shift brings its own challenges.

“Automation can play a role,” he said.

Ultimately, Depew believes Hamblen County’s biggest task will be preparing for continued growth while maintaining clear communication with the public.

For him, the role of a commissioner includes helping residents understand both the challenges and the opportunities ahead.

“I think I can do a good job explaining the how and why of things,” Depew said.