Thank you for visiting my website. I hope that after reading the material you’ll find here that you will choose to join us in this important campaign for Knox County Mayor. Early voting for the primary begins on April 14, 2010 and Election Day is May 4th.

Ultimately our campaign is about giving voters the choice of a new direction for Knox County. For far too long we have been distracted by scandals, clouded judgment and political ambitions. The people of Knox County are ready for a new direction and fresh straightforward leadership. They are ready to have their vision and their hopes for our community be the focus rather than the ambitions of a handful of politicians.

Knox County is a special place and I know that like me, you are proud of what we have to offer our neighbors, our region and our state.

The time has come to set a new course for our county that is led by our successes.
As you know, I have spent the past 15 plus years in the Tennessee Legislature as both a member of the state House and Senate. It has been a true honor to serve many of you in Nashville and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together.

I am proud to have had the chance to fight to keep our taxes low, to help defeat a state income tax, and as Chairman of the Budget Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, to help steer our state toward greater fiscal responsibility. I am equally proud to have had the chance to fight to keep child predators locked up and away from our children, to work with parents and teachers in supporting the strengthening of our public schools and to fight for the rights of our vulnerable citizens including the mentally ill. Each battle, whether we won or lost, has been worth fighting, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve.

The time has come though to tackle a new challenge. As many of you know, the late Ronald Reagan is a personal hero of mine and I can’t help but think of one of my favorite Reagan quotes, “To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last--but eat you he will.” Friends, we have some crocodiles that need to quit being fed and it’s time to drain the swamp.

There are many good hard-working people in Knox County government but some in leadership have steered us in a direction no one is proud of, and is quite frankly unacceptable. I want to work with you to change this.

It is time for us to move our county government in a new and better direction, to say no to old school politics and to set aside scandals. It is time for straightforward leadership that puts people in focus rather than politicians.

I am asking for the privilege of becoming your next county mayor. I love this community, grew up in this community, and believe we have much to be proud of and many success stories that need to be told.

You should know that if you elect me to be your mayor, I will always be guided by the following beliefs: Honesty, integrity, accountability and fiscal responsibility are the benchmarks of good government.

• Every dollar the county spends is your money not the government’s, and low taxes and efficiency are not nice ideas but key parts of responsible government.
• The education of our children is our most important investment. Parents are our children’s most valuable and important advocates and they expect and deserve quality schools, well-paid effective teachers and the best technology we can provide.
• Working with the community to help build a strong and growing economy here in Knox County is essential, but the foundation of this economy is, and should always be, made up by the hardworking people of the county and not the government.
• Safe neighborhoods are essential to every community and without safe streets our schools, businesses and homes cannot thrive.
• Local government works for every citizen regardless of where they live, how old they are, or how much money they make.

These will be my guiding principles if elected, but I need your help to get there. I need your vote in the Republican primary and in the general election, but I also need your active support well before election-day. Whether you sign-up to help put out yard signs next spring, make phone calls to voters, contribute financially to our campaign, or simply encourage friends and neighbors to vote, please take a moment to sign-up to be a part of our team.

I believe we will be successful because I believe as a community we are ready to look forward, to elect accountable leadership and to set a new course for our county.

Thank you for all you do for Knox County and thank you in advance for considering supporting my campaign for county mayor.



Tim