Politics was the subject--what else?--for World War II veteran Fred Hedrick, Criminal Court Clerk Gwen Tidwell and Court Staffer Ray Adkins.  Photo by Robert Schellhammer.


Candidates speaking

Stump photos by Robert Schellhammer

Top candidates on Stump
at VFW’s election forum

By Pete Chaney

The cream of the area political crop came stumping at VFW Post 4848 Sunday.  And they were impressive.

It was the traditional Candidates on a Stump offered by the post for those running for office in the May 4 local primary, some with an hope toward state August and national elections.

Each participating candidate reserved a table at the post on Riverside Drive to distribute campaign material and to speak from the stump with an option for question and answers.  Each had ten barbecue tickets for the meal provided by the post.

The event began at 2 PM and lasted until 6 PM on Sunday, May 11, for the 13 officeseekers.  In the order in which they made reservations, they were Bernie Miller for District 5 County Commissioner, Gwen Tidwell for reelection as Criminal Court Clerk, Claude Ramsey for reelection as Hamilton County Mayor, Bill Hullander for Hamilton County Trustee, Ron Swafford for reelection as Juvenile Court Clerk, Carl Levi for reelection at Hamilton County Trustee, Jeff Brown for Register of Deeds, Gary Behler for Juvenile Court Clerk, Bill Haslam for Tennessee Governor, David Norton for Chancellor, Zach Wamp for Tennessee Governor, Chuck Fleischman for 3^rd District Congress and Pam Hurst for reelection Register of Deeds.

Despite the lure of beautiful weather outside, the enthusiastic spectators were justified to be inside and hear credible reasons for candidates to keep their position or for challengers to gain a seat in local, state and national government.

Some 40 candidates for Hamilton County alone are listed by the election commission.  The May voting is for primaries of their parties.  Election for primary winners in August with some having opposition and others being unopposed.

August 4 will see the election of local primary winners and the primary elections for state and national candidates.

Ron Swafford spoke first at the Stump.  He relied on his years of service with the government and his record as the juvenile clerk.  He emphasized the care that had to be taken with the keeping of the records.

Howard Cotter, former Red Bank Mayor and a familiar face to local politics, represented candidate Bill Haslam, who was unable to attend.  Howard cited the record of the Mayor of Knoxville and the jobs he has created with Pilot Oil, saying that same business ability will serve him as governor of Tennessee.

With youthful looks that don’t show his acute grasp of politics, Chuck Fleischman explained his reasons for seeking Zach Wamp’s vacated seat in the House of Representatives.  He already has the backing from some heavy hitters of the national GOP, including Mike Huckabee.

Pam Hurst explained the operations of the Register of Deeds office and the experience it takes for the job.  She cited her years of experience and the improvements she has made since taking that office, asking for support for her reelection.

Representing Zach Wamp, who does not campaign on Sunday, Wane Cropp reminded the audience of Wamp’s 16 years in the House of Representatives.  A longtime ally of Zach in the political arena, he put it simply: everyone knows Zach and his record and what he will do in Nashville as governor.

Going for his fourth term as the chief executive of Hamilton County, Claude Ramsey spoke of his years in public service for the people.  He covered his early days as County Executive and then County Mayor when the title changed.  His service has covered many improvements, highlighted by the luring of the Volkswagen Plant to Hamilton County.

Bernie Miller was next and noted how often the average person is overlooked in being represented in a community.  While stressing his objective to put business experience into government, he said an elected person has to represent all the people, which he plans to do.

Staking his claim early on the seat open with the retirement of Chancellor Howell Peoples, David Norton explained his candidacy for that position.  He offered his experience as a lawyer and a background of working in the court system.

Jeff Brown explained his education and background and declared he wanted the post of Register of Deeds to put his views of fiscal policy to practice.  He felt he could make the office more efficient and cost conscious.

Carl Levi, reaching for his third term as Hamilton County Trustee, spoke on his lifetime of public service and said the trustee was the “banker” for the county.  He had been city trustee prior to running for the county position and he noted that his office had been recognized by the state as tops in its efficiency.

Giving up his position on the County Commission to challenge for the county trustee office, Bill Hullander believed he could bring a new approach to manage the office with greater efficiency and cost savings.  He spoke of his business experience which he said he found invaluable in managing government operations.

Both men are running on the Republican ticket which will be decided in May.

With experience as an educator and administrator, Gary Behler told the audience he could handle the office of Juvenile Court Clerk to make it operate better.  He said a new approach was need to the office’s administration.

VFW members and volunteers provided the services.

Ken White, 4848 Sr. Vice Commander, served as master of ceremonies.  Food was served by Deane Parke and Richard Buquo.

Barbecue for the event was prepared by Adjutant John Scott with Toby Thompson at the grill.  The facilities for the speakers were set up by White, Thompson, Buquo, Bobby Veller and Rick Reeves.

Bill Medley is commander of Post 4848.