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The Blount County Republican Party quizzed its county mayor candidates Tuesday during a forum at the Blount County Public Library.

Incumbent County Mayor Jerry Cunningham said it's important to “get our arms around the debt, get information out so folks understand the debt structure in the community.”

Cunningham said that new Finance Director Stephen Jennings will give a presentation about Blount County's debt and the road forward at the April Blount County Commission meeting.

“(That is) one of the most important things we have to get out. There are a lot of false political prophets out there making absurd statements relative to debt, relative to jobs,” Cunningham said. “We have one for the lowest unemployment rates in Tennessee.”

Former Maryville Fire Chief Ed Mitchell, who is challenging Cunningham for the Republican nomination, said that jobs were a major concern for county residents.

“I've talked and listened to a lot of people,” Mitchell said. “One of the things that has a lot of people worried is the lack of jobs, the lack of industrial development.

“... Blount Countians do not want to be on unemployment. Blount Countians want to work. We have to work with Economic Development Board and Industrial Board and form that partnership stronger than ever.”