Grass-roots GOP claims denial by Blount party
Dear Editor:
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the Blount County Republican Party declared war on grass-roots, conservative Republicans by refusing a large number of Blount County registered Republicans from participating in nominating new leaders for Blount County’s Republican Party.
Among those banned were former state Senator Raymond Finney and current Republican County Commissioner Jim Folts. Even members of the local press were refused admittance.
A formal complaint is being filed with the Tennessee State Republican Party against the Blount County Republican Party for being in direct and clear violation of the Tennessee State Republican Party bylaws.
This seems to be a clear attempt by the Blount County Republican Party machine to rig their election to prevent grass-roots Republicans and conservatives from participating.
For years the current RINO (Republicans in name only) leadership of Blount County has promoted county candidates who condemn Democrats for wasteful government spending, budget deficits and continuingly higher taxes; while 20 Republican county commissioners are guilty of doing exactly the same thing.
Local, grass-roots Republicans wanted to have a voice and a vote in the selecting of the new Republican Party leadership. It seems that the good-ole boys in the Blount County Republican Party felt they had to rig the election to silence the will of the party faithful.
Richard Hutchens
919 Mercer Drive
Maryville, TN 37801
