Bo Patten announced he will be a candidate for the Signal Mountain Town Council this fall.
Mr. Patten said, "This decision to embark on this task has come after long consideration and it is not something that I will undertake lightly. I believe that it is time for fresh and responsible leadership on the council.
"I know that I can be a strong, responsible voice on the council.
I'm for fiscally responsible town government, including reasonable alternatives to further property tax increases. I'm for keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe. I'm for keeping this the small town it was founded as, and I am against any commercialization of the mountain.
"Being a 'homegrown' boy, growing up in Signal Mountain schools, I am for Signal Mountain education. If elected I will help our school board and county commissioner to fight for a Signal Mountain high school. I believe that our residents deserve a high school, and will do what I can to help bring one to this mountain. That is responsible government.
"We, as town residents, along with the council, need to focus some of our efforts on preserving the overall quality of life for our town. In this preservation I believe we need to explore such projects as building sidewalks along Taft Highway and other busy streets so our school children, joggers, bikers, runners, and walkers can feel safe while traveling. Together we can make a better Signal Mountain.
"I promise that I will be the people's voice on the council.
I'm calling my campaign 'Keeping in touch with you.' A major part of my campaign will involve going door-to-door and talking with fellow residents. I want to learn their input and ideas for better living on Signal Mountain.
"It is my pledge that if elected, I will maintain this theme. I will keep going door-to-door, and I will keep on learning my fellow residents concerns. I am going to gladly give out my telephone number and e-mail address to make myself accessible around the clock. If our residents have concerns, I want them to know that I will be accessible to them 24 hour a day. That is responsible government. That is why our council is elected.
"It's not always convenient for residents to make it to town meetings to voice their concerns, so I pledge to bring their government to them. My 'door will always be open.' I will be there around the clock for my fellow residents. I want to serve them. That is my pledge.
"Bo - it's a name you know. It's a name you can trust. Bo Patten is your voice on Signal Mountain."
He said he is endorsed by current Town Councilman Stephen Ruffin.
Mr. Patten lives at 496 Barrington Road.
He graduated from Baylor School in 2000 and in 1996 received the Baylor School Community Service Award.
He attended the Presidential Classroom's World Leader Summit in Washington, D.C.
He is currently attending UTC seeking a degree in Mathematics with a minor in Economics.
Mr. Patten attended Signal Mountain Elementary, Thrasher Elementary, and Signal Mountain Middle School.
He can be reached at 423 364-8300.