Consolidation

I oppose consolidation of local governments. There is no evidence to suggest that a single local government will be any more efficient than our present system. Shelby County’s suburban municipalities provide excellent services to their citizens at a relatively low cost. The independence of these cities must be preserved.

Where opportunities exist to merge redundant programs and save taxpayer money, we should act. Merging functions such as tax collection under the County Trustee’s office has proven beneficial to several Shelby County suburbs and similar efforts at cost saving should be studied.

Education

I oppose consolidation of Shelby County Schools with Memphis City Schools. Shelby County has some of the best schools in Tennessee and consolidation would threaten the success of county school students. The city school system is already too large. There is no evidence to suggest that a consolidated school system would save money or improve education. Quite to the contrary, a larger system would have a bigger bureaucracy and be less responsive to parents, teachers, and students.

As your county commissioner, I will work to support Shelby County Schools. I will vote to provide county schools with the necessary funds to continue providing a high-quality education to our children.

I support creation of a special school district for Shelby County Schools which will permanently freeze the boundaries of the city and county school systems. I’ll work with state legislators to pass a special school district law.

I oppose single source funding for city and county schools. This will place an undue burden on county taxpayers who will be forced to pay even more taxes to support a failing Memphis City School system.

Crime

Repeat criminal offenders should receive extra prison time. Sentences must be lengthened.

Sheriff Luttrell should be congratulated for solving the mess at the county jail. I will work with the sheriff to give him the tools he needs to continue cracking down on crime especially violent crime. I support his aggressive efforts to fight gangs.

Taxes, spending, growth of government

I’m tired of trillion dollar stimulus bills, increased government interference in our businesses and our lives, and the belief that government can be all things to all people. Shelby County government has become bloated.

I believe the role of government is to protect citizens and provide those things people cannot provide for themselves. As your commissioner, I’ll focus county government on crime, schools, and roads. I’ll work to empower community groups, churches, and non-profit organizations to help those who cannot provide for themselves. I will oppose increases in the property tax or wheel tax.

Experience

As Probate Court Clerk, my office is rated by local attorneys as the #1 clerk’s office in Shelby County for exceptional service. I work annually with state legislators modernizing Probate laws to improve efficiency and customer service for Shelby County citizens. As a commissioner, I will continue building on my record of quality service by being accessible to the taxpayers.

My 15 years’ experience as Probate Court Clerk provides me a unique understanding of current inefficiencies in county government. On the commission, I’ll look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce spending. I’ll vote to focus tax dollars on crime, schools, and roads while opposing tax increases.

Tuesday
May 4,
2010