The issues I will promote as Blount County Commissioner for District 8:
Rampant, unchecked growth and the destruction of farmland. I will work towards smart, planned, greener growth.
More funding for schools to fix infrastructure problems and attract and keep highly qualified teachers and staff. Our schools must prepare students for the 21st century workforce including technical, vocational, and academic programming. We need performance and funding equity among the three different school systems in this county.
Local issues to reverse climate change, help veterans and the food insecure, be a friend to small business, require affordable housing in new developments, and expect our public and private institutions and elected and appointed officials to publicly stand for equality and acceptance of all people.
Read more about the roads I have traveled in Blount County and the people I have met to gain better understanding of the needs of Blount County and District 8 residents.
In 1976, I moved to Tennessee and started a landscaping/retail nursery business. I married my wife, Patti, 32 years ago and began teaching at a Knoxville inner-city school. We raised two children and started an equestrian facility on our small horse farm. My last 20 years of teaching were at Walland Elementary School in District 8.
