Dear Roy,
 
I am flattered that you and I think a lot alike and that we both use the same 'Rule Book.'  I also agree with you that it is healthy to offer differing opinions.  However, I disagree with you on the issue of discretionary spending.
 
I did not see you at the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club meeting on Monday.  Sorry that I did not see you or I would have recognized your presence.  Your impression, or the impression of whomever reported my remarks to you is somewhat inaccurate.

  Please let me expand my thoughts on what I did say.
 
First, bragging would not be the word I would have used to describe my service to Hamilton County since last January.  I was humbled and honored to have been appointed to fill the seat of Jim Coppinger.  His shoes are big to fill.  One of my first acts of the use of discretionary money was to fulfill commitments he made when he served the district.  These commitments were fulfilled quickly.  I did this as what I think is an ethical obligation to his commitments.  Please note, I started this in February of last year, not during the election season.  I believed I used the word 'excited' because of the partnerships we have formed with PTA's, the schools, and the local youth athletic associations. 
 
The ability to help schools get additional monies for technology is not a 'little treasure chest,' in my opinion.  It is the opportunity to equally share funds in district schools all over the county.  If one person controlled the funds, most likely the money would be used for a pet project by that person.  We will just have to agree to disagree on this matter.
 
We agree that there needs to be have unity in all our government agencies.  There is something in the 'Rule Book' that speaks of the need for unity and its impact in our lives.  We need to find ways which will help the taxpayers save money without decreasing services. We can agree on that.
 
There is a major inaccuracy in your article about me stating that I 'personally' installed fire hydrants.  If you were in the meeting, the microphone must have not been working.  My exact statement was that Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Hixson Utility District, and I had worked together to get these hydrants into areas of need.  By the way, at least one of these is in the City of Chattanooga.  The timing of the installation of these hydrants was dictated by Dallas Bay and Hixson Utility.  They had to determine the needs and determine if the water supply lines would support the hydrants.  Sorry the microphone cut out when I made this point.
 
As to the Ipads at Big Ridge, these were purchased months ago, long before any election cycle, but at the cycle of need of the students.  By the way, I am excited that these elementary students can have the real world experience of interfacing with real world scientists.  I don't remember if I mentioned my passion to help our children with their literacy needs.  We must get them on the proper reading level or they have a greater chance of going into the juvenile justice system.  It might be good if I supplied you with a detailed list of when these funds were expended so you can see they do not relate to this or any election cycle but to the needs in our schools.  Their needs far outweigh anyone's political ambition.  I'll get you a copy.
 
Thanks for the other issues.  I do not approve of traffic cameras.  I am for home-rule if the citizens of Hamilton County choose to have home-rule.  I am for improving our infrastructure such as roads, sewers, fire hydrants, etc.  I work with area Neighborhood Watch groups in the district and have even served as a Reserve Deputy with the HCSO.  As one who serves on the Violence Task Force, we are constantly trying to find ways to help law enforcement.  I am demonstrating my constant concern for improving our schools.  The bulk of my discretionary spending has been with the schools.  I support the SRO program seeing that it is the only proactive law enforcement program we have at present.
 
I agree that the citizens need to know me.  That is exactly why I have attended multiple Neighborhood Watch meeting, Home Owner Association meetings, PTA meetings, 'in the yard' meetings, and even Town Hall meetings.  At each of these meetings I have responded to multiple questions and offered my mobile number and my e-mail address.  You would not believe how many calls and e-mails this generates.
 
Thanks for allowing me to respond and thanks for being interested because one of the real issues in any community is apathy.  The reason I continue to seek to be District 3 County Commissioner is to further the work I have been doing for many years, long before I was appointed last year.
 
I'll get you a copy of my spending.  I sure am glad we can agree on some things, but we will have to agree to disagree on the discretionary funds.  By the way, please let me know if you are in the room when I make my next speech.  I want to be sure and mention you are there since we agree on so many points.

County Commissioner Mitch McClure