Roy Exum
Early voting for this year’s state Primary and county General Election will begin
on Friday and, as is my habit, I’ll be one of the first in line. Some choices will be hard – we’ve never had a cast of such quality people in the Republican Governor’s race – and never has the Republican Party failed us as badly in our choices for Senate and Congress in Washington.
Add the fact the Democrats have all but given up in presenting candidates who appeal to me and I find I have no choice at all.
Of the three top contenders for Governor, the Aug. 4 election will determine who runs our state for the next four years. It is critical in my thinking that I vote for not necessarily who I most like and admire but who will do the best job for the state of Tennessee. I adore Diane Black but her camp is stooping to mud-slinging and “unlady-like” attacks, which is why she is losing support across the state.
Bill Lee has no flaw I can see but Randy Boyd has earned heavy platitudes for what he has done as the state’s top Development officer so he’s my pick. I’m proud to vote for Boyd and regret I can’t do the same for Bill and Diane.
After what Marsha Blackburn has done to foster the “Dirty Lick” in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry, she should be banned from any decision-making office in the entire United States. I’m sorry if some of my friends feel spurning her will give the Democrats control of the Senate but that is nothing that the Republicans don’t richly deserve for allowing this train wreck to happen. For Blackburn to become a member of our United States Senate will be a wretched travesty.
On the local level we have already suffered a severe blow. UnifiEd, the bogus education foundation, caused Greg Beck to be upset in the May primary by Katherlyn Geter and I fear those in District 5 will suffer bad consequences for being led into a mess. Yes, we can say it is justly deserved but to remove Greg’s wisdom from the county dais is wrong.
The School Board is a major worry; not because of the revelation only 28 percent of the district’s 42,000 students are on track but because not one board member seems to care. Seriously, there has been no reaction from the board or the shamed school leaders, other than Superintendent Bryan Johnson whining over what he calls a leak. Please! Put the children over self.
My God in heaven! 72 percent of 42,000 kids aren’t on track and nobody holds nobody accountable! Mayor Coppinger and the County Commission bear the shame. Until the school board begins to fulfill its obligation to the voters, public education in Hamilton County will flounder, private education will thrive and we as a community will bear the expense of stupidity.
As I share how I am going to vote, be reminded to always vote for any and every unchallenged candidate. Each deserves our respect for their willingness to serve, we the people.
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ROY EXUM’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE AUGUST 4TH ELECTION
Early voting begins this Friday, through Saturday, July 28. Here are the locations:
* -- BRAINERD RECREATION CENTER -- 1010 North Moore Road. Monday thru Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
* -- COLLEGEDALE CITY HALL -- Fuller Community West Room, 4910 Swinyar Drive, Monday thru Saturday, 10: 00 am - 6:00 pm
* -- ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICES -- 700 River Terminal Road, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am – 7:00 pm (Saturdays 9:00 am – 6:00 pm)
* -- HIXSON COMMUNITY CENTER -- 5401 School Drive, Monday thru Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
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GOVERNOR – Randy Boyd.
SENATE – Arron Pettigrew (not Marsha Blackburn.)
CONGRESS, Third District – William E. Spurlock.
TENNNESSEE SENATE – Bo Watson.
TENN. HOUSE, 26th District – Robin Smith.
TENN. HOUSE, 27th District – Patsy Hazlewood.
TENN. HOUSE, 28TH District – Lemon C. Williams.
TENN. HOUSE, 29th District – Mike Carter.
TENN. HOUSE, 30th District – Esther Helton.
STATE EXEC. COMMITTEE, 10TH District – Ken Meyer.
STATE EXEC. COMMITTEE, 11th District –Bobby Wood.
STATE EXEC. COMMITTEE, 10TH District – Emily Beaty.
STATE EXEC. COMMITTEE, 11TH District -- Tina Benkiser.
CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, Div. 4 – Kyle Hedrick.
HAMILTON COUNTY MAYOR – Jim Coppinger.
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 1 – Randy Fairbanks.
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 2 – Chip Baker.
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 3 – Warren Mackey.
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 5 – (no vote)
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 6 --- Joe Graham.
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 7 – Sabrena Smedley.
COUNTY COMMISSSION, Dist. 8 – Tim Boyd.
COUNTY COMMISSION, Dist. 9 – Chester Bankston.
COUNTY TRUSTEE – Bill Hullander.
COUNTY SHERIFF – Jim Hammond.
CIRCUIT COURTT CLERK – Larry Henry.
CRIMINAL COURT CLERK – Vince Dean.
JUVENILE COURT CLERK – Gary Behler.
COUNTY CLERK – Bill Knowles.
REGISTER OF DEEDS – Marc Gravitt.
SCHOOL BOARD Dist. 3 – Joe Smith.
SCHOOL BOARD, Dist. 5 – Karitsa Mosley.
SCHOOL BOARD, Dist. 6 – Michael Henry.
SCHOOL BOARD, Dist. 8 – David Testerman.
SCHOOL BOARD, Dist. 9 – Steve Highlander.
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