House candidates stress experience
By Joel Davisof The Daily Times Staff
Originally published: July 23. 2008 3:01AM
Last modified: July 22. 2008 11:39PM
The League of Women Voters hosted a forum for state legislative candidates Tuesday, including those running for the 20th District House slot being vacated by state Rep. Doug Overbey.
Candidates include County Commission Chairman Robert Ramsey, Commissioner Steve Hargis, Jimmy Melton of Maryville and Tona Monroe-Ball of Greenback, all competing for the Republican nomination.
Hargis emphasized his experience in local government. "I listen, I work for the people and I'm fast about it," he said.
Hargis, 60, has served as a County commissioner for 10 years, representing the 7th District, which includes Friendsville, Lanier, Carpenters, Happy Valley and Big Springs.
Monroe-Ball emphasized her work as a citizen-activist, which has included opposing efforts to establish toll roads in Tennessee. She also called for the banning of red-light cameras and for the reform of the Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act, which caps property damage claims at $100,000.
She brought up the case of Martha Ridings, A Townsend woman who lost her home last September when a Blount County Highway Department truck sparked a fire by hitting a power line, and was only reimbursed for $100,000 -- the maximum amount the county said it could pay.
Melton currently serves as an alternate on the Blount County Board of Zoning Appeals. "I'm just an Eagleton Village boy trying to be a public servant," he said.
Melton backs establishing a taxpayer's bill of rights that would prohibit tax increases without approval of the taxpayers. "Basically, what is says is that any tax increases would have to be voted on by the citizens," he said.
Ramsey, 61, has served on the County Commission for 18 years, representing the 5th District, which includes portions of Maryville. He served as interim county executive in 1992 and as acting county mayor in 2006. "I have represented all the county's citizens," he said.
When it came to priorities, Ramsey emphasized fiscal responsibility on the state level. "We have to live within our means," he said.