The Daily Times Guide to the 2024 Blount County Primary and Rockford City Election

Early voting begins Feb. 14 for the March 5 Blount County Primary and Rockford City elections. In addition to their U.S. presidential primary preferences, voters will have an opportunity to vote for candidates for local election in their districts.

Those include the primaries for the Blount County property assessor and three seats on the Blount County Board of Education, as well as one seat on the Rockford City Commission. The Daily Times attempted to contact all qualified candidates to answer a common set of questions. The responses received are below, with some trimming when candidates exceeded length limits.

Blount County Property Assessor

The Blount County Assessor of Property is required by the Tennessee Constitution to list and value all property subject to being taxed “according to value.” The assessed value of taxable property is a percentage of “fair market value” or “use value.” (Source: Blount County Property Assessor Office; BlountTN.org)

Republican primary

Allen Latham did not respond by the deadline.

Name: Todd Orr

Age: I’ll be 50 on February 14 of this year, which coincidentally is the first day of early voting.

Occupation: Assessor of property

Biographical info: I’m a lifelong Blount Countian. I graduated from William Blount High School in 1992 and Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management information systems in 1996. My parents are Jack and Linda Orr. I’ve been married to Staci Myers Orr for 26 years. We have two sons, Riley and Brady. Our family enjoys sports, particularly baseball and golf. I was privileged to coach both Little League and travel baseball for 11 years. We attend Foothills Church in Maryville.

Why are you running for this position? I want to serve. I’ve spent my whole life serving: on the job, at home with my wife and boys, and on the Little League field. As assessor, I have the chance to serve in an even greater capacity. I believe my education and professional experience make me an asset to the residents of Blount County. My entire professional career I’ve worked in property assessment and oversight. It seems right to use my expertise to serve the community I’ve lived in my entire life. I believe in “leaving things better than I found them.” My work isn’t finished here yet.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? The top priorities of my office are to continuously seek ways to be more effective communicators and to refine our proficiency in serving the community. I want to ensure the public knows what our office is responsible for and the resources we have that may be of assistance to them. I also take great pride in being fiscally conservative. We have a budget that is approved by the county commission each year, just like all other county offices. Each year since I’ve been the assessor of property, we have sent funds back to the county.

What relevant experience do you have? After college graduation, I began working for the State of Tennessee, Division of Property Assessments, which provides assistance, expertise and oversight to local assessment offices. For 17 years, I supported mainly the county assessors’ offices in East Tennessee. After leaving the State, I spent eight years as a regional manager with Patriot Properties, working with assessors in numerous states. I have both management experience and current knowledge of state law regarding the responsibilities of the assessor office. I’m also a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers and Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers, which provide me with a plethora of expert resources.

Why should voters elect you? The property assessor’s office is an integral part of county government. I’m a problem solver and an effective collaborator with others. This office needs someone leading who is reliable, fair, honest, experienced and knows about the appraisal process and state law. I believe I check all of those boxes. I don’t and won’t promise constituents I can do things that state law prohibits. Unfortunately, there are not any minimum qualifications for the office of assessor of property. I think that’s a flaw. The county needs leadership from qualified professionals. Voting for me is a vote for experience, professionalism and, most importantly, integrity.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? As the current assessor, I have prioritized property owners’ issues and shown my commitment to serve. For the past three years, I’ve performed the duties of this office with proficiency and compassion, while building strong relationships with citizens and other government offices. A well-managed office is essential. Having developed personal relationships with assessors throughout Tennessee and the country, I have access to a wealth of expertise and have already been using those resources to enhance our office. I believe that my proven commitment to serve citizens, as well as having over 25 years of hands-on experience in assessor offices, clearly makes me the best choice.

Democratic candidate Melissa McCrossen did not respond to The Daily Times.

Blount County Board of Education

Republican Primary

District 2

Name: John Lowe

Age: 75

Do you support school board elections being partisan? I believe the school board should be a reflection of the people who elect them.

Occupation: Pastor

Biographical info: My wife, Leecreedia, and I have been married for 56 years. We are the proud parents of three wonderful children who are all graduates of the University of Tennessee. They have blessed us with eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A corporate transfer, in 1986, brought us from West Virginia to beautiful Blount County where we have lived happily ever after for 38 years.

Career experience summary: GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceuticals — 35 years, senior executive professional sales representative and mentor; co-founder Capstone Ministries (India) — 1998; early retirement to pursue pastoral ministry — 2008; Tuckaleechee Chapel Missionary Baptist Church pastor, 2012-present

Why are you running for this position? I want to do everything possible to help our teachers provide and our students receive an excellent academic education. In the process, it is important that our students find support of a solid moral foundation upon which they can build lives of character. Providing our teachers with the best curriculum and resources to help our students achieve their learning objectives, without undermining the conservative Christian values that make Blount County such a wonderful place to live and raise a family, is very important to me.

If elected, what would be your top two priorities? 1. Test scores will always be important. The process of improvement must include more open communication and discussion of the issues with all of the stakeholders in our students’ education. 2. We must find a way to raise teacher pay to a competitive level sufficient to retain our quality teachers.

What relative experience do you have? My family life experiences, along with those of my professional career and my pastoral ministry, have enabled me to acquire the people skills necessary to work through complicated life issues. I believe these past experiences would help me work effectively with all of the stakeholders in our children’s education.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? I have attended, observed and spoken at the monthly school board meetings for more than a year. In addition, I have also attended budget and policy meetings.

Why should voters elect you? Because I would be focused on the success of our students and teachers, working to identify and remove any barriers that could keep them from realizing their fullest potential. Our children are our future, and they are worth the investment of our time, talent, energy and resources.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office?Each candidate is unique based upon life experiences and the choices that are made in response to those experiences. My life experiences and choices have taught me about the importance of relationships and how to build bridges instead of walls.

Name: Josh Marler

Age: 35

Do you support school board elections being partisan? Yes

Occupation: Video production specialist for the University of Tennessee

Biographical info: Lifelong East Tennessean raised in Loudon County. Lived in Blount County for seven years. Married to Whitney Marler (formerly Jones) who was raised in Friendsville. Have two beautiful daughters — Charlotte, who is 7 years old and a second grader at Eagleton Elementary, and Caroline who is 2 years old and a future kindergartener at Eagleton Elementary. My wife and I are former foster parents for the State of Tennessee.

Why are you running for this position? As a parent of a Blount County student, I am a concerned parent who wants to see our students succeed. I believe we have talented educators who need to be empowered so that both they and the students can succeed on the highest level.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? Be a board member who will listen to students, parents and teachers. Also increase the Tennessee Department of Education letter grades at Eagleton Elementary and Eagleton College and Career Academy.

What relevant experience do you have? I specialize in distance learning at UT and also spent one year as a substitute teacher in Blount County Schools.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? Supporting my daughters’ teachers at Eagleton Elementary

Why should voters elect you? I am the only candidate in this race who has spent quality time in a Blount County classroom in the last 10 years. I am a truly concerned parent of a current Blount County student, which I think shows a truly vested interest in what’s happening in our schools. I am not running with any kind of agenda other than listening to our parents and students and supporting our teachers. I am ready to serve on Day 1.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? I am the only candidate that has a vested interest in the schools. I have a child currently in the school system at EES and another future kindergartener that will be going to EES . I have served in a Blount County classroom and currently work in higher education. I am young, and I am ready to serve.

District 4

Name: Trevis Gardner

Age: 55

Do you support school board elections being partisan? I do support party affiliation.

Occupation: Business advisor

Biographical info: A ninth generation Blount County native and Blount County Schools graduate. Over 24 years of military service as senior noncommissioned officer and commissioned officer. Retired aviation management executive. Advanced education and professional development in administration, management and leadership including: Associate of Science Degrees various engineering fields, Master’s of Business Administration, public administration accreditation, graduate of Leadership Blount, Leadership Knox and Leadership East Tennessee. Community, civic and nonprofit experiences including Blount County Adult Education Foundation Board of Directors and chairman, Blount County Local Emergency Planning Committee chairman, Red Cross volunteer, House of Courage Board of Directors, Blount Library Foundation Board of Directors.

Why are you running for this position? I have so many mentors and local leaders that personally invested their time, energy and passion into developing me into a leader to serve others. I owe them and my community a debt of gratitude and service to honor their investment.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? A. Leading others in the community, and our local to be advocates for public education. B. Ensure that our school system honors the trust of stewardship of our students, their families and our faculty with accountability and transparency.

What relevant experience do you have? I have previously served a portion Blount County school board of a term when I was appointed by the Blount County Commission and also a later full term that I later elected to serve again. I was elected by my peer board members to serve as their chairman for multiple terms. I have extensive experience in government financial, budget and grant management. As a small business owner, I work everyday to help business owners recruit and retain a workforce the comes from the public education system. I also have experience representing the community and our businesses for legislative affairs.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? Both of my daughters are graduates of Blount County Schools, with the most recent graduating in 2023.

Why should voters elect you? I have had a strong history of serving the community in public education. I am a product of the unique and cherished values and culture of Blount County.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? I have a proven track record of representing and serving the community. I am an advocate for public education. Opportunities for and access to a quality public education is a defining difference in keeping Blount County. The voters can trust me to make sure that I will make decisions that prioritize partnership with the community at every opportunity and build strong relationships with our funding body, the Blount County Commission, and our state legislators.

Name: Diana Mehaffey

Age: 68

Do you support school board elections being partisan? I am in favor of partisan elections for school boards. Almost all elections are partisan with very few exceptions. Voters want to know where a candidate stands politically in order to be more informed and knowledgeable about who is serving in a public office.

Occupation: Retired

Biological info: I have a B.S. from Auburn University, and a master’s in secondary education, an education specialist degree in administration and a doctorate in education administration, all from the University of Alabama. I taught for two years at the Cathedral of the Cross School. I taught one year of freshman English at the University of Alabama. I then worked for 25 years in Shelby County Schools. I spent 18 years teaching grades 7-12. I spent seve years in administration. My positions included interim principal, summer school principal, assistant principal, administrative assistant and professional development coach.Why are you running for this position? I saw that Blount County was experiencing growth and change similar to changes I had experienced in the school system where I worked. I know that it is important to maintain community values and traditions while adapting to growth. Those traditions and values are what draw people to this community. Growth in the Blount County area means growth in the workforce, and BCS is the source for producing those skilled workers along with readiness for postsecondary education. I will bring my 28 years of experience in education, talents, skills and heart for children to this position. If elected, what would your top two priorities be? I would like to see improvement in communication with parents, caregivers and community members. Blount County Schools are continually faced with important issues. I think it is important to involve parents in addressing these issues. I would like to see more parental involvement on committees as well as more communication from parents on challenging issues. I would also like to see a raise in teacher pay. Because surrounding school systems pay more, Blount County is losing great teachers to other school systems. Better teachers bring quality instruction with them.

What relevant experience do you have? I understand how legislation becomes law, which in turn shapes state board of education policy and local board policies. I understand educational finances. Educational funding is a complicated process involving federal, state and local funding requirements. I have experience in focused curriculum selection, design and implementation. I understand that curriculum has to meet state guidelines, grade level and subject requirements, but I also understand how those materials may be adapted to meet the specific needs of our students. I know education from the student’s desk to the administrator’s desk because of my 28 years experience.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County County Schools? I was interested in the operations of BCS and the challenges the schools were facing. My interest grew after talking with teachers, parents, community members and board members. I began regularly attending Blount County Board of Education meetings in April 2023. Based on my observations, careful note-taking and conversations with board members and others, I have developed an understanding of the current processes of the board in decision-making and strategic planning. With my church I have helped pack boxes of meals and delivered them to children in need at Walland and Townsend elementary school.

Why should voters elect you? I understand how schools and school systems function and will be able to begin contributing to the growth and success of Blount County Schools from day one. More importantly, I strongly believe in listening to what parents, teachers, students and others have to say, and then using those contributions to come to the best possible solutions to issues and concerns. The best path forward is one we walk together.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? My 21 years of experience in classroom education, my seven years of experience in administration and my graduate degrees in educational administration give me a wealth of knowledge about schools and how they operate within the community. This knowledge helps me to make better informed decisions. It also helps me have a greater understanding of schools, school systems and school operations.

Name: Chris Pass Sr.

Age: 62

Do you support school board elections being partisan? Yes, I’m afraid the time has come even in school board elections for the voting public to confidently understand the candidates’ values as defined by political party values before they vote.

Occupation: Pastor of Grandview Baptist Church

Biographical info: Conservative, Christian, fifth generation Blount Countian, married for 40 years to my best friend and love of my life, Cydney. We have one son (BCS educated, graduate of UT, married to his best friend and love of his life, Amy, also a UT graduate.) I am blessed to currently be serving in my eighth year as the pastor of Grandview Baptist Church.

Why are you running for this position? As a pastor of a local church congregation, and a Blount Countian with a family and a graduate of Blount County Schools. I have a natural concern for our families and BCS. Those concerns led me to attend our BCSB monthly meetings beginning almost three years ago. And having consistently done so every month, it is evident that the concerns we are facing now, those on the horizon will require those with willingness to stand for and better support our students, educators, community and the conservative values that make this a special place to raise a family and call home.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? 1. As a BCSB member it will be my responsibility to frequently visit our schools, spend time with our students, educators, principals and staff to better understand from a frontline perspective their issues, concerns and challenges, and then with our BCSB work to develop the best possible policies that provide the best possible resolve and opportunities. 2. To make certain that I have frequently provided and encouraged accessible opportunities for parents and constituents to express their ideas and concerns in my district. Only by working together can we build a better tomorrow for our students, families, BCS and community.

What relevant experience do you have? Thirty years of upper-level management teamwork experience in an ever-changing environment, working with large staff and fiscal budgets, strategic goal setting and achievement on an annual basis. I’m very familiar with the long hours and the work ethic necessary to accomplish the desired outcomes. I have a God-given desire to always put others first, be quick to forgive and always pursue unity where possible. I believe how we live our lives speaks so loudly you can’t hear what we’re saying.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? As a lifelong community member and graduate of BCS, and parent of a BCS educated and graduate student. I have a long-standing community involvement, which includes BCS functions, and I have consistently attended the BCSB monthly and special called meetings for the last three years.

Why should voters elect you? I have diligence for researching and asking the tough questions and an ability to communicate/lead/dialogue within board and committee settings to resolve the issues and achieve the desired positive goals. I understand well what it means to stand, when at times it is not popular for the proven conservative, moral and practical values that provide our students the best possible foundation to build a better tomorrow.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? I have only met the other candidates recently, and never having experienced their speaking to the issues at BCSB meeting, I believe the conservative candidates running in my district are great members of our community. However, I believe in this specific time and complexity in which our BCS is trying to navigate what is best for our students, teachers and community, I possess a tried and proven, positive, conservative common sense skill set that will work well with our current BCSB to improve, in some cases restore parent/teacher confidence and trust to conservatively educated children/students.

Name: Josh Sullins

Age: 35

Do you support school board elections being partisan? Yes

Occupation: Senior project manager commercial construction

Biographical info: Christian, grew up Baptist saved by grace of God. I graduated high school in Mitchell County, North Carolina, followed by CFCC, and ETSU. First generation college graduate with magna cum Lade. I am a Marine combat veteran achieving the rank of SSgt with honorable discharge. From laborer to senior project manager in construction. Fell in love with Blount County during my time at 4th Combat Engineer Battalion on Alcoa Highway and call it home the last 10 years. VFW member. I am married with a baby girl on the way. Excited to continue this journey and see what comes next!

Why are you running for this position? 1.Serve my local community. 2. Believer in public education: I am publicly educated and believe in the value of the school system. 3. Share my time and talents: An opportunity to share my business and life experience to benefit the community. 4. Self-interest: I have a child on the way; making sure to maintain the strong public school system here will affect me directly. 5. Curriculum influence: I want to make sure basic truths aren’t being thrown away for political purposed or gains.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? 1. New school board members undergo orientation. Understanding and becoming as efficient in my duties as possible will be my primary focus. 2. A specific issue I would like to focus on is drug prevention programs. Find funding (federal or state if possible), permanently establishing, and creating a policy to always maintain a drug prevention program within the school district. My understanding is that there is a pilot program underway now from funds provided by county commission, but there was a gap in this type of curriculum. I like make sure that gap doesn’t happen ever again.

What relevant experience do you have? In my career I am a leader, follower, decision maker and listener. I am constantly problem solving and working with multitudes of people from diverse viewpoints and backgrounds to come to an agreements or create solutions. Construction knowledge for understanding long-term impacts of maintenance (most our schools aren’t brand new and they are aging). Successful planning and budgeting multitude of multimillion dollar projects.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? I was the project manager in charge of building the Eagleton field, press box, field house, CTE building and science labs renovation project. I had a variety of interactions with school board members, superintendent, school administration, maintenance, coaches and teachers. One of my favorite experiences was being invited to give a class on the impact and challenges of construction materials during/after COVID environment. This was for a supply chain management class at Eagleton during construction.

Why should voters elect you? People who know me would say I am fair but firm, attentive to issues put before me and serious in executing the role I am placed. I bring to the table successful business, project management, military and construction experience, all critical areas for overseeing operations of the school district. A vote for me is one for passion, the strive for efficiency and pursuit of excellence.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? I am younger candidate with baby girl due in April. I have a direct interest for years to come in the sustained success and improvement of Blount County Schools.

District 6

The Daily Times attempted to contact incumbent candidate Phil Porter by phone and email and did not receive a response.

Democratic PrimaryDistrict 2

Name: Don Jones

Age: 57

Do you support school board elections being partisan? No

Occupation: United Methodist minister

Biographical info: I am a native of Blount County and was raised here. My work has taken me to several other communities and three states. I am a graduate of Alcoa City Schools, Oklahoma Christian University of Science and Arts (BA) and Emory University: Candler School of Theology (MDiv and DMin). United Methodist churches in this area include many teachers and administrators in public schools among their members. My churches have typically been in rural and impoverished areas where the congregations worked closely with the local schools to help feed students and to provide other help.

Why are you running for this position? I am running to make the schools better for the students. Our state government is too focused on test scores, punishing educators and drawing funds away from our schools. We need school board members who are willing to stand up for the students.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? Encouraging reading comprehension and communication skills for our students. I support the desire of many of our leaders to get students on grade level. One test, however, does not reflect that. The second priority for me will be improving school nutrition programs, making sure students are fed healthy meals of good quality food.

What relevant experience do you have? My doctoral research focused on how instructors and children communicate in matters of spirituality. The students, parents and instructors involved lived in an area of Tennessee where poverty and addiction were widespread. The work took place in an after school program with K-5th grade students. I have also coached youth baseball in four communities.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? I was a Junior Achievement volunteer at Union Grove Middle School, where I taught two six-week courses in personal finance for seventh grade students. It is truly rewarding when students come to you and say, “This is cool stuff to learn.”

Why should voters elect you? I take my responsibilities seriously. If elected, I intend to be actively involved with the workings of the board of education. At the same time, I will be critical of the overreach of the state legislature in our schools. I will work with our state representatives and senator on these problems. Another responsibility I will take seriously is student safety. I will encourage policies of conflict resolution between our students.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? I do not know if this makes me different. My skill set has developed over the years from working alongside people with whom I sometimes have profound disagreements. My primary goal is to help the students begin their lifelong education. Keeping that goal in mind will help me work with those who see things differently than I do. I offer respect to everyone who has the goal of helping our students.

District 4

Name: Rob Spirko

Age: 54

Do you support school board elections being partisan? Not keen on it, no. Local issues are not always partisan issues. And we should judge people as individuals, not identity categories.

Occupation: Teacher

Biographical info: I’m originally from Morristown; I went to Tennessee Tech for college, then UT and UNC Chapel Hill for my graduate degrees. My wife, Jennifer, is from here, so we moved back to Blount County in 2002 when I took a position at UT. This let us raise our two children near our parents. At UT, I’ve served on the Faculty Senate, as a teaching fellow in the Office of Instructional Technology and as a founding co-chair of the Chancellor’s Commission on Disability. I’ve also done a lot of church service, in my own congregation and at regional and national levels.

Why are you running for this position? My skill with boiling down research and policies to where people can actually understand them would be useful. I disagree with the outside agitators behind the book bans; parents should have a choice, but my choices should not be constrained by others. I trust our teachers, and I want to bring some of that trust and relationship back to our community. My kids had a good experience in our schools; all kids should. I want them to be ready to succeed in the lives they choose, ready for the world in all its complexity and diversity, so they can thrive.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? First, to ensure a good learning environment: This means an attitude of acceptance and respect in our schools, with no bullying or discrimination against kids because of who they are, regardless of race, income, gender, religion, sexuality or ability. It also means less high-stakes anxiety around testing. Second, planning for the future with both infrastructure and curriculum. Blount County is growing, and we need to be ready. Technology and the world are changing rapidly: We need to educate students to be flexible and self-starting learners to adapt to all the changes coming with AI, new manufacturing and logistics innovations.

What relevant experience do you have? I’ve been an educator helping students learn for 30 years. I teach students fresh out of high school; I’ve watched the changes over time. I’ve thought a lot about education and preparation for jobs and for life. In my campus leadership, I’ve worked with three different chancellors and have a good sense of what works and what doesn’t in leadership of a complex organization with 2,200 teachers, 8,000 staff and 36,000 students. With my church leadership, I’ve shepherded change in a denomination with 1,000 congregations, learning to handle the anxieties and challenges that come in response to such change.

Before deciding to run for office, what was your most recent experience with Blount County Schools? With the schools themselves, I watched my kids grow from Walland, to Heritage Middle, to Heritage High. It was a 14-year education for me in the good and the bad, the victories and the challenges of the system. As a teacher myself, I picked up on how resourcing, policies and testing affected the learning environment. As a band dad, I learned the importance of extracurricular activities, arts education, volunteering and parent involvement. Recently, I’ve spoken on a couple of occasions to the school board against book banning and school vouchers and have been following the developments there.

Why should voters elect you? If they think that no student should ever be defined as “a problem,” if they think we shouldn’t be banning books based on the selective outrage of a few people, if they think all students should have an accepting environment to learn in, they should vote for me. If they think we should trust teachers more than standardized tests, if they think students are more than a score on a page, if they think our schools can do more to prepare for the future, they should vote for me.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? Well, I’m the only hillbilly professor running. I know what it’s like to be a poor, disabled, Appalachian kid trying to get an education. Working at UT, I know both how students are prepared for higher ed and what employers are looking for right now. In my church work, I’ve had training and then actual experience in how to listen with love to people who are literally yelling at me, and then find shared values and common ground to build on. Maybe that’s not unique to me, but it’s something we don’t get a lot of practice with these days.

Rockford City Commission

Name: Jim Jamison

Age: 68

Political affiliation: Republican

Occupation: Retired

Biographical info: Lived in Rockford for over 30 years, married to Joanie. We were blessed with two sons and one daughter, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Employed in manufacturing from industrial maintenance, machinist and machine builder with management positions until my retirement.

Why are you running for this position? Now that I’m retired, I have the time to give back to the community by getting more involved, ensuring that we can preserve and protect the peaceful city we live in.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? Keeping our community safe and having more transparency in regard to how our money is budgeted and service contracts.

What relevant experience do you have? Years of management, purchasing and negotiating working in the Production Engineering Department at Panasonic. Enjoy working with others so that our common goal will be achieved.

Why should voters elect you? Honest conservative male who would fight full-time to make sure we are headed in the right direction that will best serve our city citizens.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? Not a politician, new fresh with no connections influencing my decisions.

Name: Carl Koella

Age: 58

Political affiliation: Republican, although this is a nonpartisan race.

Occupation: I have had the privilege of working for Blount National Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Clayton Homes, Rockford Manufacturing Co. and FirstBank. A quick summary would be corporate finance, marketing and treasury functions.

Biographical info: I was born and raised in Rockford, and I love this city and the people in it. I moved away for university studies, and I graduated with honors from Duke University and the University of Chicago. I moved back from Illinois in 1991, and after I paid off my student loans, I built my house in Rockford in 1996. I have served as a volunteer board member of the Blount County Animal Shelter for 16 years and on the board of the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center for 11 years. I have also volunteered for the United Way and Leadership Blount.

Why are you running for this position? Blount County is in the midst of tremendous change, and it is important to protect the quality of life for everyone living in Rockford now. Because of its natural beauty, its location and its residents, Rockford is a wonderful place to live, and I want to keep it that way.

If elected, what would your top two priorities be? My two top priorities would be to prevent the development of high-density housing in Rockford and to manage Rockford’s budget prudently so that a city property tax will never be enacted. Rockford is blessed with a lot of farms and green space, and it would be a terrible mistake to turn Rockford into another version of congested West Knoxville.

What relevant experience do you have? Rockford voters have elected me to the Rockford Commission every four years since 2004, and I know the budget, the relevant contractors and the necessary providers very well. In addition, I have served on the Rockford Planning Commission since 2003, and I have had the privilege of serving as Rockford’s mayor since 2010. I work well with the people here and have forged strong relationships with the service providers who take care of the fire protection, policing, streets, parks and other services in Rockford.

Why should voters elect you? I have a solid track record of leading Rockford with balanced budgets, good services and appointments of long-term community leaders to the Rockford Planning Commission. Rockford has some of the best-paved roads in Blount County, and we are improving the parks. We have proven that Rockford does not need a separate city property tax and that I am dedicated to preserving the superior quality of life in Rockford. It is important to me to continue to support the volunteers in the community who make Rockford a great place to live and raise a family.

What makes you different from the other candidates for office? I have participated in city council meetings for 20 years, and I know the relevant issues, service providers and people to keep Rockford on the right track. I have great relationships with our elected representatives in Maryville, Nashville and Washington and can call them when Rockford needs help on an issue. In fact, I was able to prevent the state from doubling the size of Old Knoxville Highway through town to four lanes, which would have destroyed Rockford’s character. I have also worked diligently to increase the number of parks in Rockford.