Lisa Zarzour Bowman Is Most Qualified For Circuit Court Clerk - And Response

  • Wednesday, April 16, 2014

My sister’s name is Lisa Zarzour Bowman and she is running for Hamilton County Circuit Court clerk.  I am writing in response to the Roy Exum Chattanoogan.com Opinion article and the Louie Brogdon, Times Free Press article.  Both were recently published as what I believe to be a desperate attempt to gain momentum for the slipping campaign of Larry Henry.  Instead of solely praising Mr. Henry on his merits of background, education and experience, which he lacks, the articles are very negative towards Lisa Bowman and Ron Parsons.  Old-school politics.  

 While I appreciate Mr. Henry’s years of public service to District 7 and the entire County Commission, the simple fact is Mr. Henry would not even qualify for an interview if this position was hired through a professional placement firm or a human resources department.   

In addition, Lisa Bowman is a successful working attorney and will not realize a pay increase from this position.  Mr. Henry would receive about an $80,000 pay increase, so why attack Mr. Parsons on this fact?

I want to present the sister that I have known for 50+ years.  Mr. Exum’s article says he doesn’t know Lisa.  He is right.  Lisa had to endure poverty growing up in the housing projects of downtown San Francisco, Ca.  She took on roles of a sister and mother to two younger brothers at a very early age.  That is something I am sure neither Mr. Exum nor Mr. Henry can fully understand or would wish to endure.  She raised her son as a single mother, worked full time, and still managed put herself through years of school finishing what she started at every level --Associates Degree, Bachelor’s Degree and ultimately a Law Degree.  Mr. Henry’s website reports that he “attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.”

I don’t personally know Mr. Exum, but he says the candidates will have “red faces” at the end of this election. Both Lisa and Ron Parsons are underdogs in this race; therefore, if they come out ahead in the vote you will see no face redder than that of Mr. Henry. 

I believe these relevant questions should be asked of all three candidates: 

Did you attend an accredited college or university where you received a degree and diploma? (advanced education and following through are very important credentials) 

Have you ever been involved in an unfair hiring practice against a female minority; or any other individual?  (the Circuit Court Clerk’s staff deserves to be treated fairly) 

Have you ever been involved in domestic abuse that resulted in a spouse requiring medical treatment? (Orders of Protection are issued through the Circuit Court clerk) 

Have you ever voted, then flip-flopped your vote because public opinion was strongly against it? (consistency and commitment to decision making) 

Have you ever voted for increased taxes yourself; or supported a candidate that raised taxes? (I cannot support anyone that votes to raise taxes)  

If you come out on the wrong side of these questions, do some soul-searching and take honorable actions.  

Our voters are smarter than you think.  This election is “not a joke,” nor is it a “one-horse race.” Vote for Lisa Zarzour Bowman for Hamilton County Circuit Court clerk.  Early voting started on Wednesday, April 16, and primary election date is May 6.

Louis R. Zarzour 

* * * 

I wonder how many people out there have been the victims of “experience versus politics.”  What I’m talking about is have you ever been passed over for a job or promotion for someone else because of “who they are” or “who they know?” If this has ever happened to you -- and I think this type of situation has happened to almost everyone at some point and time in their lives, I’m sure -- it kind of makes you mad and you knew at the time that “it just wasn’t right.”  Well, that “it just wasn’t right” may happen and it may happen here and happen to the good people of Hamilton County. 

This year’s Circuit Court clerk race is just the kind of thing I’m talking about.  Attorney Lisa Bowman leads this race, with “experience.”  I’m talking court experience versus the experience running an oil business. Attorney Lisa Bowman has tried over 1,000 cases in Circuit Court alone. Would you want to be the new surgeon’s first patient or do you want a surgeon who has completed 1,000 surgeries?  Larry Henry has zero experience in Circuit Court, but claims to have “investigated” the duties of Circuit Court clerk.   

Also, do I care how many years he managed his business. If I ran a grocery store for 80 years does that make me qualified to run a bank? The answer is no. Larry Henry’s “edge” is in “politics.”  He is a county commissioner and he’s banking on his “politics” from his current position to win him a promotion to Circuit Court clerk.   

I asked Attorney Lisa Bowman, “Is any county commissioner who has taken coursework in political science qualified to handle the business of the courts?” To which she responded, “No.” Granted, she’s biased (she’s a candidate), but before you vote I would call your attorney and ask them: “Should I vote for an experienced attorney to run the business of a court or a county commissioner with politics on his side?” 

In the end, the “politics” of the County Commission and running a grocery store for 80 years does not qualify Larry Henry any more than it qualifies me to run the office of Circuit Court clerk.  The people of Hamilton County and the people who have lived the “experience versus politics” situation need not let “politics” beat the “experience” of attorney Lisa Bowman.  Vote for attorney Lisa Zarzour Bowman. 

Kevin Hudgins

Latest Headlines
Opinion
Democratic View On Top State Senate Issues - March 18, 2024
  • 3/18/2024

Campbell bill seeks to save lives by studying suicide trends in Tennessee 3 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar — SB 1787 , by Sen. Heidi Campbell, would require state health officials to produce ... more

The Odor Of Mendacity - And Response (2)
  • 3/16/2024

The Fulton County judge, Scott McAfee, overseeing the Fani Willis prosecution of Donald Trump and eighteen other defendants has spoken. In response to a motion by defendants to remove Willis ... more

Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 15
  • 3/15/2024

General Assembly confirms new Tennessee State Supreme Justice Members of the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mary L. Wagner to the Tennessee Supreme Court in a joint session ... more