Note: All Rutherford County Commission candidates were asked the same question: What is the most pressing issue facing the county and your possible solution?

District 2 Candidates
Name: Jack Black
Occupation: Engineer with Murfreesboro Fire Department
Education: Oakland High School
Contact: jackblack@bellsouth.net

The economy and jobs are most pressing issues facing the county.

I will be working closely with the Industrial Development Board to help locate good quality career opportunities for the citizens of Rutherford County.

District 3 Candidates
Name: Will Jordan
Occupation: Self-employed: farmer/property management
Education: Graduate of Oakland High School/ Attended MTSU majoring in Agribusiness
Contact: 615-210-1773 or wjordan3724@hotmail.com

I feel the most pressing issues facing the county are unemployment, the economy, and sustainable growth.  

All three of these can be addressed with proper recruitment of better paying jobs being brought to Rutherford County.

Name: Jake T Robinson
Occupation: Financial Services: Helping families to become debt free & financially independent
Education: Two years at Nashville State Technical Institute – Computer Technology; Two years at University of Tennessee at Martin – Electrical Engineering
Contact information: jake@earnware.net or facebook.com/TheJakeRobinson

Spiraling debt, spending and increasing property tax.

Debt: $563 million

Spending: $409 million annual county budget

Property Taxes: Increases in three of last four years.

The first answer to our county’s fiscal pressures cannot be raising our property taxes. Our politicians are using the citizens as their own personal “ATM” machine and taxpayers are fed up.

Here are some ideas I would want to implement:

1. Send a survey to all teachers in the entire county system and respond anonymously to this question: “Can you think of ways to save money and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse?” ...

2. After results are yielded by the teacher survey this initiative would be extended to the sheriff’s office, fire department, road service and all other departments.

3. Consider going to a year-round school schedule – studies have shown an increase in the number of students utilizing the same building of 25 percent to 33 percent increase. This means a 25 percent utilization for every four schools in our system we can “create” a fifth school at no additional capital cost. If we receive a 33 percent utilization we save building a new school for every three schools we have in our system.

4. Promote the “Employee Suggestion Program.” ...

5. Create a “Best Practices” initiative to learn from other successful municipalities, county governments and school systems who have implemented common-sense, simple, innovative ideas to keep a cap on spending and even reduce property taxes.

District 4 Candidates
Name: Robert Peay, Jr.
Occupation: Manager
Education: Kittrell High School; BS in Agriculture at MTSU
Contact: rpeay45390@aol.com or 615-563-4808

I feel that creating new employment opportunities in Rutherford County is the most pressing issue that needs to be addressed. In the past I have collaborated with fellow commissioners to help our community attract well-salaried jobs by supporting Destination Rutherford and our Chamber of Commerce.

The commission has also given our Industrial Development Board the ability to give incentives to attractive employers who want to locate in Rutherford County as well. ... I believe supporting such efforts in the past is why Rutherford County is not suffering as much as some other areas of our nation when it comes to unemployment.

Another way to make certain that we attract good jobs is that we must have a well educated work force. I have always supported education and will continue to do so by helping our schools. ... It is essential that we continue to support our schools in Rutherford County.

District 7 Candidates
Name: Dave Beardsley
Occupation: Analyst, Verizon Wireless
Education: Political Science, C.S.U.S.
Campaign website: davebeardsley.com

As your Commissioner, I will make lowering your property taxes and school funding my No. 1 priority. I will accomplish this goal by being fiscally responsible and by balancing the budget, year after year.

We as private citizens have to balance our checkbooks everyday and live within our means and it’s time the county does the same.

I also oppose the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro.

Name: Gary Farley
Occupation: Assistant Fire Chief of Murfreesboro Fire Department
Education: 1976 Graduate of Oakland High School, College courses at Eastern Kentucky University, Many fire and medical related courses over the last 26 years.
Contact: garyfarley22@yahoo.com

I feel that there are many issues, but I have narrowed it down to three:

1. We need to help grow our economy by bringing in well paying jobs. This will help us to provide the needed services to our citizens such as our school system and public safety.

2. We need to impliment our new county-wide land-use plan that is being worked on in order to help us control and plan our future growth.

3. We need to impliment a full-time county legal department instead of depending on a part-time legal department. This will help save tax dollars in the long run.   

Name: Eddie Kitzler
Occupation: Stay-at-home dad for the past 10 years.
Education: High School Graduate, Graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College
Campaign website: vote4eddiekitzler.com

Jobs.

I would have the chamber (of commerce) aggressively promote the good quality of life in the county and show businesses the high quality of students that are graduating from the high schools and from MTSU.

We have the work force already in this county and need to utilize their skills.

District 8 Candidates
Name: Tiffany Jones*
Occupation: Teacher at Eagleville School

The most pressing issue for our county in the next 20 years is reigning in spending. Our county budget continues to grow due to the growth we have experienced recently.

From schools to protective agencies the budget continues to increase. This of course will increase our county taxes if not addressed now.

As commissioner I will be diligent in looking for ways to cut budget and spending just as families do every day.

Name: Billy Pitmon
Occupation: Insurance agent/owner
Education: Bachelors degree in Business Management
Contact: pit020@comcast.net or 615-573-1628

Growth is the most pressing issue facing the county and the solution is to grow in a responsible manner that benefits the entire county. Putting infrastructure in place now in order to keep the costs of the growth as manageable as possible.

Name: Lisa M. Toombs    
Occupation: Legal Assistant
Education: High School Graduate
Contact: 615-653-8000 or lisatoombs1969@yahoo.com

Gang-related issues and how to get control of it.

Possible Solutions:  More communication with in the county and city such as Crimestoppers, more publication of what to do, who to turn to, how to inform someone of such problems.

Protection of children and the future of our new generation. Work on improvements that can be made within our law enforcement (city, county and state) as to working together to get the job done. By keeping the community aware of new improvements.  

Name: Ron Williams*
Contact: 969-8334

The next big issue after adequate funding is solid waste management. This is one of the largest issues facing the county because the landfill is expected to be full in 12 to 15 years. We need to expand the county’s convenience centers to include all recyclables such as plastic, cardboard, paper, glass, etc. I think recycling is the answer and I also think if it was more convenient, more people would participate.

District 10 Candidates
Name: Andy Campbell *

Education, fiscal responsibility, and responsible growth are key issues that continue to be at the forefront of the county. I will listen to the citizens of my district and make a decision in line.

Name: Anthony Johnson
Occupation: Retired Aerospace employee
Contact: home: 459-9309 or cell: 615-631-6215

Most pressing issue for the county, I believe, would be the economy.

Solution: Continue to encourage and support incentives to create or enhance jobs, business and tourism.

Also, the county and cities need to work together to become less dependent on the landfill. Middle Point Landfill is filling up and we need to be working on an alternative plan to handle cost of trash disposal. This issue is something county commissioners should have more control over, or influence.

Name: Brad Turner
Occupation: Senior Operations Specialist - Client Services
Education: Bachelor of Arts - Trevecca Nazarene University - 1998
Website: Facebook Page: Brad Turner for Rutherford County Commissioner

The most pressing issue facing our county is the $500 million deficit we currently own.

This kind of runaway spending is unsustainable without tax increases on local business owners and families. We have to reach a point where we say raising property taxes is not the first answer to the problem.

We need to have a county-wide audit to determine where the waste is occurring and help us better recognize deficiencies in current funding. Once the audit is complete, we can then determine what areas of service might be run more affordably by private companies as well as steer funding to areas of service that need it the most.

District 11 Candidates
Name: Rhonda Allen *

Land use planning is the driving force behind everything that happens in our county. Will a farm be re-zoned for a subdivision requiring roads, schools, and police protection? Will that land be used for an office park, industrial space or green belt? When developed will that land generate revenue and if so, how much? What impact will the development have on the identity of the existing community? Implementing the comprehensive plan will address this issue.

Name: Chris Deal *

The most pressing issue facing our county is how do we continue to provide essential services in the face of the growth and declining revenue. One of the best ways to increase our revenue is to invest in our educational system. Counties that have a good educational system attract good employers and by continuing to invest in the education system we position ourselves to take advantage of future economic opportunities. We must never underestimate the impact of education.

District 12 Candidates
Name: Robert Stevens
Occupation: Attorney
Education: B.A., Lipscomb University (summa cum laude); J.D., University of Memphis School of Law (magna cum laude).
Contact: stevensfordistrict12@yahoo.com or (615) 948-5238

Getting a handle on the county budget is the most important issue.

We simply cannot keep raising property taxes every year. We need to rein in our spending and get our state and federal legislators on board to repeal their unfunded mandates.

The county commission needs to develop a better working relationship with the school board, municipalities, and our state and federal representatives to get all of them focused on better planning for our growth so that we can keep our taxes low.

Also, we need to put an end to the good-ole-boy system that is very prevalent in county government. Too many commissioners vote on their own paychecks and family members’ paychecks. Government will not be downsized when a solid majority of the county commission gets a paycheck from county government. I would introduce a resolution shortly after taking office that would ask the state to prohibit these conflicts of interest.

By supporting responsible spending, better relationships with other government officials and ending the good ole boy system, we can begin to get our budget under control.



Name: Ronald (Ronnie) W. Henderson
Occupation: Industrial Worker
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University in Government and Public Administration
Website: thoughts.com/RONNIE_HENDERSON

The most pressing issue facing our county today is the lack of good paying jobs.

As Rutherford County keeps growing, our industry keeps leaving. We must attract new business to Rutherford County by:

1. Focusing on education – Companies desire to employ an educated work force.

2. Offer incentives for companies to operate in our county (tax cuts, etc.)

3. Have county infrastructure already set in place (such as good roadways).

4. Go out and get business! – We must be proactive in promoting our area and seeking out these large employers.

Name: Jeff Jordan
Occupation: Retired Rutherford County teacher (31 years), small-business owner (20 years), County Commissioner District 13 (2006 – present)
Education: Campus School, Rockvale Elementary, Central High School, MTSU (67), Masters (76).

Without question it’s this: How do we decide what services to provide or major projects to pursue and how do we pay for them?

There are options, and we have to decide whether we will do without for now and maybe pay increased costs in the future, or, if we do proceed, do we tax to pay for it or do we borrow the money. Everything, schools, roads, employee salaries and a large number of services such as law enforcement and emergency services is connected with how we answer that question.

The solution rests somewhere in a combination of tasks. We only borrow   for future needs such as schools, a possible future Justice Center, roads or other big ticket items. Future planning and vision are critical in this process. A priority list of items should be formulated, frequently reviewed with citizen and taxpayer input and eventually agreed on. It is impossible to tax for, build and pay for a large expensive project in one or two years so a balanced and careful approach should be used between taxing and long term borrowing.

That’s a very short answer to a very difficult and complicated problem that calls for the constant attention of government and community leaders.

District 14 Candidates
Name: Charlie Baum
Occupation: Professor of Economics at Middle Tennessee State University
Education: B.A., Economics, Wake Forest University; Ph.D., Economics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Contact: (615) 556-9287; cbaum@mtsu.edu

One of our strengths is growth – our population has grown 50 per ent over the last 10 years – but this is also our greatest challenge because we must provide additional residents services.

This is particularly challenging since one-third of residents work outside the county, so their employers’ property taxes and local-option sales tax receipts go elsewhere. I have taught economics at MTSU for 11 years and will use this background to work with the county on our budget on issues like how much we’re spending, how much bonded debt we’re issuing, and how to be more efficient. I will use a common-sense approach to work on long-term strategic planning to help meet our obligations with limited resources.

Name: Jacoby O’Gwynn
Occupation: Patrol Sergeant for Murfreesboro Police Department
Education: High School, College credit hours from University of Tennessee at Martin, Walter State, and University of North Florida
Contact: MPD350@ comcast.net or 615-796-0295

Fiscal Management, attracting industry and businesses, that will help us maintain our quality of life now and grow in the future.

We can accomplish this by progressive, yet responsible, fiscal management achieved through recognition and implementation of short, intermediate, and long term planning.

Name: Jerry D. Sartain
Occupation: Heritage Farms Dairy
Contact: Commissioner14@comcast.net

The new zoning ordinance coming soon for Rutherford County will require a large amount of continued work both from the county government and its citizens to hammer out what the future holds and what it will look like for the entire county.  

Opportunities will present themselves for citizens to decide what areas of the county to develop as residential neighborhoods, industrial parks, schools, or even set aside as green space.  The answers are not as simple as they may seem on the surface. I look forward to joining with the current gallant efforts to come up with a plan that will serve the needs of all Rutherford County citizens.  

District 16 Candidates
Name: Avent Lane
Occupation: Self employed, Technical Consultant, Musician
Education: Elementary, Mitchell-Neilson, Crichlow, 1966 graduate Central High, attended MTSU

My reason for seeking this office is my experience in dealing with the county on issues that have affected my family directly. This has led me to believe that there are problems with the oversight of the bureaucracy.

I think this the most important issue facing the county since all issues are directly related to that problem. The elected official is called to ensure the proper implementation of county procedures. All to often the tale is wagging the dog. Whether through negligence, incompetence or disingenuousness there seem to be entirely too many improper, illegal or just plain bad decisions occurring. This is often the result of entrenched bureaucracy.

It takes years for this to occur will not be fixed overnight. This has occurred in spite of the many incredible professionals and people doing excellent work throughout the system. One solution is that our elected official must to do their own research and evaluation, gathering accurate and truthful information and with input from the constituency, while formulating the course of action that is best. The result needs to be legal, effective, and in the best interests of the county and it’s citizens.

Name: Matthew Young
Occupation: Murfreesboro Fire Department firefighter
Education: Riverdale High School, Volunteer State CC, MTSU, National Fire Academy

One Issue facing District 16, which will be a couple of years down the road, is the judical building. Although I do not agree with immanent domain, and how the county got land for the new judicial building, I strongly believe that the judicial system, must stay downtown, in order to keep the neighborhood, and downtown economy stable.

District 19 Candidates
Name: Joyce J. Ealy
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Education: Masters Degree from MTSU in Curriculum and Instruction
Contact: jjealy@comcast.net or 893-5737

An important issue facing Rutherford County is managing the debt service. The county must provide essential services and infrastructure to our citizens to maintain our high quality of life. This includes good schools, safe neighborhoods, efficient ambulance service, and responsible planning for the future. I am keenly aware that this must be done without overly burdening our families and our children. The challenge for the county commission is to balance the need for capital improvements at a pace commensurate with our ability to fund the services and projects while maintaining a budget with a stable tax rate.

Name: Gabriel Fancher
Occupation: Owner of In Your City Inc.
Education: Bachelor’s in Economics, Western Kentucky University; MBA in Finance, MTSU
Website: www.voteforgabriel.com

The health of our local supply of water is the most important issue facing our county. According to the test run our water is safe to drink, but what are they testing for? Are they testing for the items that are trucked into our backyard from states that are days away from here? Are they testing for things that glow in the dark? I find it very troublesome that we do not question with boldness about the safety of our water. ...

Our current commission finds money to build tennis courts and to buy expensive chairs, I am sure we can find the money to make sure our water supply is safe for years to come.

District 20 Candidates
Name: Steve Ervin
Occupation: School Teacher
Education: Ed.S MTSU
Contact: ervin4countycommissioner@comcast.net

Taxes, we want to invite people to move here and also make it appealing to locate a business here, but we are taxing people to death. If we want to see county growth and individual ownership in our community we have to invite it, not discourage it. A plan needs to be in place to help lower taxes on property owners as well as the small business owner. If we continue to levy taxes on property owners and small business owners, I’m afraid we will run them off to buy property and set up business somewhere else.

Name: Trey Gooch
Occupation: Walgreens Drug Store, Store Manager
Education: Bachelor’s in Public Administration, MTSU; Master’s in Educational Leadership, MTSU
Contact: 896-4691 or treygooch@yahoo.com

Jobs and the economy.

We should continue working with the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Development Board and Destination Rutherford to attract diverse industry for Rutherford County, and we should provide appropriate incentives. We should review all taxes and regulations to determine the impact on local job creation.

Name: Christopher Jordan
Occupation: State Police Officer, County Constable
Education: MTSU, Major: Music Theory Minor: Psychology
Website: chrisjordan4commissioner.zoomshare.com

The most pressing issue right now is the flooding. There were a lot of people affected by the flood disaster of May 2010. Since then, we are still trying to work on cleaning up the mess. There was millions of dollars in damages and the county commission still hasn’t made an agreement on what to do.

So my possible solution is to apply for the federal mitigation funding grant. Rutherford County is declared for both public assistance and individual assistance.  ...

It is a grant program that the county would have to apply for.  But bottom line is the county could apply and potentially receive federal funds for local projects to help mitigate future damages. That is why I want to implement and install storm drainage systems throughout the county including District 20.

District 21 Candidates
Name: Patsy L. Briley
Occupation: Barber
Education: High School graduate. And Master Barber
Contact information: patbriley@comcast.net

Growth and children. Children are our future, we are the present and the past. If we don’t make a better way for our children and have better education for them. The children need all the things out there to make a better, cleaner and safer world to live in. We need better health care for our children and elderly people. Insurance is at a all time high, we need to step in and try and solve the high cost of health care. ... We have too many people who want to depend on the state instead of out trying to help themselves. We need to teach them to take care of themselves.

Name: D.C. (Jim) Daniel
Occupation: Attorney from 1965 to 2006
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and Speech, The American University, Washington D.C. 1957
Juris Doctor, The George Washington University Law School, Washington D.C. 1965
Contact: See Rutherford County Republican Party website Phone: (615) 849-3823

The most pressing issue before the county is one of balance. Unfunded mandates imposed by the state and federal governments distort our programming and threaten to throw our management schemes into chaos. ...

Some issues require constant monitoring to assure stability. Business needs a favorable climate in order to grow and flourish. We must do our best to see that our businesses are not obstructed by unnecessary red tape. Quality schools, roads, law enforcement, emergency medical services, countywide fire protection, solid waste, historical preservation and keeping our climate of community and neighborliness are all high priority items. ...

We must guard against waste. But we need new revenue streams and a growing economy in the county. Balance is the key. I will work for solutions to individual problems in order to secure the financial and programmatic balance we need. Openness in government is essential so that the public can have confidence in what we are doing.

Name: Chanto Sourinho
Occupation: Retired guidance counselor from Rutherford County Schools
Education: MTSU graduate, Post-graduate work at TSU

My vision for Rutherford County in the next 20 years. The growth will be double and we need to plan for this. Schools, roads, housing and personnel are some of the key issues that we need to constantly monitor.

I have been in District 21 for nearly 38 years. I feel like I need to do something and give back to the community where my family and I are living.