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Former Daily Times publisher Jerome Moon has officially announced his candidacy for the Blount County Commission District 4, Seat C. He is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.

Moon served as publisher from 1981 until the paper was sold to Persis Corp. in December 1989. He has served as treasurer of the Tennessee Press Association and as a director of the association’s for-profit corporation, the Tennessee Press Service. Moon was also a co-owner of a community newspaper.

Earning a bachelor of science degree from the University of Tennessee after six years of active military duty, Moon served during the Vietnam War. He has served as chairman of the Blount County Industrial Board, the Pellissippi State Technical Community College Foundation Board of Trustees and president of the Blount County United Way.

Moon served as a site visitor for the National Schools of Excellence (Blue Ribbon Schools) program. He chaired the Governor’s Better Schools Task Force for Blount County. He also served as chairman of the site selection committee for Pellissippi State Community College for the college’s new Blount County Campus which will open this fall. “I have seen schools that are world class and I would not trade those experiences for anything,” he said.

Moon has received a distinguished service award from the Tennessee Advisory Council on Vocational Education. He is a member and was a founding member of the Volunteers for Progress (VIP), a program where private support supplements the Blount Economic Development Board’s job development efforts. Moon said that quality job creation must be a priority of county government.

“My life experiences and community service have prepared me to serve; and my time spent meeting and listening to Blount Countians has strengthened my passion to see Blount County remain strong, vibrant and financially responsible,” he said.

Moon is married to Debbie Bradford Moon, and they have two daughters, two grandsons and a granddaughter.