I expected a little mud slinging along the way when I decided to run for County Commissioner District 6. However, it has been my intent to run on issues. The issues I see that are important to the 6th District are education and better jobs. But, in every political campaign, one has to be prepared to get in the mud and deal with it.

As to the accusation that the sole reason that I am running is to raise taxes, this is simply not true. I am running to provide new leadership for a better tomorrow. I do not like taxes! No one should believe such a ridiculous statement as my opponent has made. I do want accountability for every tax dollar spent. I will work with the state legislative delegation and my friend, Democrat Gov. Phil Bredesen, to see that we get our fair share of tax dollars back from Nashville. I will examine the county budget with a fine tooth comb to remove money being spent to pay off political cronies and friends. I am running, because the 6th District is not getting its fair share of the taxes that we pay into the system. And that is clearly the fault of the incumbent. I want to see more jobs in the 6th District. I want to see better public schools, but the better schools that I see are not in our district. What has Ms. Miller done to improve the children’s education in the 6th District?

As to the accusation that we Democrats have lost every government position, this is not true. Over the past several years, we have elected Ardena Garth as our Public Defender. I was her treasurer in her initial campaign. We have elected Ron Swafford as Juvenile Court Clerk, a fine man whom I have supported since the day he ran. We have Gwen Tidwell as Criminal Court Clerk, an excellent public servant and someone I am proud to have helped. We have elected Paula Thompson as Circuit Court Clerk, who has done an outstanding job, and is again someone I supported. Of all of these candidates, I never saw you support one, Ms. Miller.

As to the ones who have changed parties, I assume you must refer to Curtis Adams, the Republican who ran as a Democrat, the Republican with whom you almost always vote. This is a man who took money from me when I was Party Chair, and ran as a Democrat. This is a man who ran as a Democrat, and after election, decided to inform everyone he was really a Republican.

As to the issue of where I live (which is beginning to get a little old), I live at 4808 Alabama Ave., which is in St. Elmo and in District 6. I will be happy to show you my gas, electric, water, cable, internet, etc., bills. The 6th District has been repeatedly changed, and certain precincts have been moved in and out to protect the incumbent. I am running in the 6th District to represent all of the citizens of the 6th District, not just a few that Ms. Miller happens to know.

John Allen Brooks
Candidate for the Democratic nomination District 6