I am honored and privileged to serve the people of Union County.  Union County is now positioned for a strong industrial and business environment that will allow us to grow new and existing business investors. This will ultimately create jobs.  It has taken us many years to reach this level, but I believe that we are poised on the threshold of greatness. The development of business, industry and new jobs have been a priority of mine in the past; are a priority at the present time; and will remain a priority with me in the future.  I have worked hard to bring jobs to Union County, to expand employment in existing business, and to retain jobs in existing business and industry. 

This office has always maintained an open door policy.  I encourage residents to stop by anytime to share concerns make suggestions for improvement or just to find out how the county is doing.  The best government is the government that is closest to the people and I have made a concerted effort to conduct listening tours in each of our communities.   The financial responsibilities and duties of the County Mayor are tremendously important.  One of the major expectations and duties is to handle and manage our financial affairs in a business-like and professional manner.  We must be conservative, but at the same time we must be progressive.

 I have worked diligently to see that the taxpayers get full benefit and return for their tax dollars paid to the county.  I will continue to devote my efforts to keeping the tax rate as low as possible. Our property taxes are still the lowest in the state and we’ve added more than $11 million dollars in new growth to the county tax rolls in this past year alone. Our sales tax revenue has doubled in the last eight years. When Marlock Industries closed, I was able to secure a $425,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to recruit a new company, Permalife Tennessee, into the existing building - which sustained employment at that plant.  This company presently has 25 employees and is a thriving business. Other business/industry and development during my tenure in office include: Builder’s Warehouse, Buckeye Axle, Vulcan Materials, Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, Hickory Point Subdivision, Sunset Bay Subdivision, Norris Shores Subdivision, Union Concrete expansion, Okie’s Pharmacy, Union Discount Pharmacy, Tolliver’s Market, Eagle Boat Docks, Nease’s Citgo, Bi-County Propane, Dollar General, Maynardville Storage, Union Chiropractic and a new development at the Andersonville Boat Dock with the potential of 400 condos and new homes.

During my time as mayor, I have worked with the Union County Solid Waste Board to open four new solid waste convenience centers for our citizens to use. These are located in the 13th District, in the Sharps Chapel Community, at the Cedar Grove Community Center, and at the County Highway Department.  Other locations will be opened in the future.

Union County now owns and operates all Emergency Medical Services vehicles and equipment.  Paramedics are on all ambulances, and the Ambulance Service is rated Class “A” through the certification process.  Your Union County EMS currently has 40 employees.  Andrew Reed is the Union County Ambulance Service Director.  Working with the 911 Board, we have installed, through a grant, a state-of-the-art G.P.S. Computer System at our 911office. 

With the help of the Union County Commission, a new Senior Citizen Center building was constructed in Sharps Chapel. Working with the Union County Library Board, county library operation has been upgraded from 20 hours a week to 40 hours a week.

I have worked with the Union County Commission in bringing about an extensive expansion of public utility water to our citizens.  A $500,000.00 CDBG Grant enabled us to extend water from Hickory Star Road, up Hickory Valley, and another $500,000.00 grant enabled us to extend water from Fox Hunter Road down Kettle Hollow Road and into Little Valley.  Also, a $168,000.00 ARC Grant was obtained for the e-coli problem in the water at Big Ridge and Sharps Chapel Elementary Schools.  A $26 million Water Treatment Plant is currently being constructed at Sharps Chapel to serve Union and surrounding counties.  The matching funds for these grants were provided by the Utility Districts at no cost to Union County.

We have secured many other grants, including a $300,000.00 grant for water, sewer, and roads at the Luttrell Industrial Park; a $300,000.00 grant was obtained for our Fire Departments to be used for purchasing equipment and fire trucks.  Homeland Security Grant Funds were also used to support our Fire Departments. Grants in the amount of $685,000.00 were obtained for low income housing in Union County. A $50,000.00 grant was obtained for flashing school signs at Sharps Chapel and Big Ridge Schools. If we want new jobs and the very best industries coming to Union County and expanding here, we have to focus on education.  If we want our children to take on the high tech jobs of the future, we must invest more in education and expect more in return.  Education is the key to our future.  Take a minute to think back, and I bet each one of you can remember a special teacher’s name and the influence that teacher had on your life.  Teachers make a difference and we need to all support our schools.