Mike Carter Fights The Tough Fight - And Response (4)

  • Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Mike Carter is an outstanding legislator, and deserves re-election to the State house.  Rep. Carter is hard-working and has a proven track record of getting things done to better the lives of those he represents.  I encourage my friends and colleagues to join me in voting for Mike Carter in his re-election bid to represent the 29th District. 

Rep. Carter knows how to get things done.  I am a resident of Ooltewah.  Several years ago the city of Chattanooga was on an annexation frenzy, pulling in more residents and land than it could reasonably handle.   Remarkably, the newly annexed citizens had absolutely no say in becoming part of the incorporated area of Chattanooga.  It was an unfair system that needed to change.  

I approached a local elected official to ask that the annexation process be altered to make it somewhat balanced.  I was told that the Tennessee Municipal League lobbying group was just too strong, and nothing could be done about it.  A year later Mike Carter was elected and proceeded to do something about it.  He fought the tough fight.  He sponsored and passed legislation that ensured no citizen could be annexed into a city without having a say in the matter.  The new law is fair, balanced and puts an end to forced annexation. 

A vote for Mike Carter is a vote you can be proud to make. 

Billy Dearing
Ooltewah 

* * *

There are no shortages of people in Hamilton County who are familiar with our current State Representative here in District 29, Mike Carter. Everyone has a story about growing up with Mike, working with him as a lawyer or as a judge, and some even know him from when he worked with County Mayor Claude Ramsey. However, as the election day approaches next week, I wanted to share my individual experience with you of knowing Mike Carter and exactly what kind of person that I have found Mike to be. 

I was first introduced to Mike by my dear friend, Mike Wilson. Mike Wilson is a fixture in this community and loves his community. If Mike Wilson tells you that someone is a great guy, then you can take that straight to the bank. The purpose of the introduction was through our work as board members for Ooltewah Citizens for Responsible Growth and the desire of the thousands of households located in the unincorporated areas who were under constant threat of an oppressive form of government called “annexation by ordinance” whereas a municipality could absorb you and your property at its very whim. 

After winning the attempted spot zoning that consumed the community in the summer of 2010, our organizations mandate was clear and that was to stop forced annexation. After we learned that Ooltewah would be getting its own representative in the newly formed District 29, Mike Wilson told me that he knew the man best qualified in his mind to help us stop the impending Littlefield annexation of Hunter Road. 

When I first met Mike Carter, he had a firm handshake and was already up to speed on the issue of forced annexation. I also noticed that Mike Carter was a humble man who understood why forced annexation was not just a case of some unincorporated area folks who just wanted to avoid taxes. Many of us made a conscious decision when we purchased our property to do so outside the city limits.

I went with Mike Carter to many events he held while running for the District 29 seat and it was clear to me that he was not a politician, but rather someone who desired to serve and make the lives for the people of District 29 a better place. Mike Carter also was not afraid to stand up and say what was right and even said that if he could not go to Nashville to get things done for our community and our State then he did not deserve to be re-elected. 

After working together with Mike Carter on many issues you have heard about in the newspaper or on television, I can tell you that Mike Carter is one of the most honorable, dedicated and hard-working men that I know. If Mike Carter tells you that he intends to do something, you can count on it. He will fearlessly fight against any special interest group if their agenda conflicts with his community. 

We have a choice in this election of a man who has proven himself to be up to the task and able to build coalitions from other representatives across our state to squash the big money lobbyists, like the Tennessee Municipal League. There are many more things that this community and our State need and I will tell you that the man I am proud to represent me and this community is Rep. Mike Carter. I hope you will join me and let’s send Mike Carter back to Nashville to get the job done. 

John Harris
Ooltewah 

* * *

I was a young gun hired as an expert witness one time and Mike Carter handed me my back side in a court of law. I still believe I was correct but now I know, many moons later, that he was right.

He was a passionate, brilliant advocate for an Ooltewah land owner.

Today, if I could vote for him I would. I think he belongs in Washington if he'd consider it. 

Savage Glascock, Sr.   

* * *

I first met Mike Carter following his appointment in 1997 to Division 2 of General Sessions Court of Hamilton County, where he was appointed to fill the remainder of Judge H.L. Smith’s term.  Judge Carter faithfully fulfilled that duty, seeking election by the people in 1998, and serving in that role until 2005 when he returned to the private sector.  I was surprised when he left public service because of the passion I observed during his tenure as judge. I was not surprised when he returned to the calling of public service in 2012, when he was elected by the people of District 29 to represent them in Nashville. 

The most notable characteristics I recall of Rep. Mike Carter’s tenure as judge were both the compassion and understanding he displayed for the people appearing before him, both law enforcement and citizen. I witnessed many times the wisdom he expelled when presiding over the many cases that came through his courtroom, and the humility with which he carried himself.   These characteristics are extremely telling of a person and their standing as a public servant. 

In 2012, Rep. Mike Carter became, by choice of people, the state representative for District 29 and has fought to protect their rights in several key ways, the most notable being his advocacy against de-annexation. In this battle, he advocated for the peoples consent, by vote to annexation, rather than forced annexation. This was a commitment that he made to the people and saw completed. He also has helped support legislation that will promote the protection of law enforcement with the Blue Lives Matter Privacy Initiative, as well as, fighting for access to high speed Internet for the voters of District 29. 

Rep. Mike Carter has committed to and has proven his commitment to the people of District 29, time and time again, through his advocacy and hard work. I would like to recommend and ask that you join me in sending him back to Nashville as the voice of the people, by voting early until July 30 or on election day Aug. 4. 

Austin Garrett

* * *

As the former mayor of Collegedale,  I had the privilege of working with our local delegation to represent Collegedale's interests in Nashville.  Senator Watson and Rep. McCormick are men I came to respect, men of character, integrity - elected officials that truly “represent” the citizen taxpayers in Tennessee.  

Mike Carter entered the picture late in my time at city hall,  but very rapidly got my attention with his in your face honesty.  As I worked with Mike over the next couple of years, I saw a genuine passion for Tennesseans and their rights.  I learned that Mike is his own man.  

He doesn’t need the support of any specific PAC or special interest organization or really anyone other than the voters.  He believes firmly in his position and doesn’t waiver.  I learned that I could trust Mike to do what he says and tell me why, if he couldn’t.  

Mike has had a long, varied and successful business career.  He is more than qualified to represent us in Nashville.  

Please join me in support of Mike Carter Representative District 29.  Let’s send a representative back to Nashville that has earned the right to represent us. 

John C. Turner
Former Mayor
Collegedale







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