Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., all candidates for governor were trumpeting big upcoming projects this week.
Mr. Gibbons is planning two book signing events -- one on Tuesday in Memphis, the other on Thursday in Nashville -- for his book, "No Surrender: A Battle Plan for Creating Safe Communities." The book is about common practices for fighting crime across the country.
Mr. Haslam announced the March 10 start of a three-week statewide jobs tour, in which he will meet with business leaders.
"I'm looking forward to getting out and going business to business, town to town talking with owners about the obstacles and how I could serve them best as governor," he said.
Rep. Wamp announced the dates of six Tennessee events in March and April which will feature country and Christian music stars. Among those that will appear at the events in Nashville, Hendersonville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Franklin will be Larry Gatlin, John Rich, Michael W. Smith, the Oak Ridge Boys and Casting Crowns.
alexander 'encouraged' on nuclear
U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said this week he's encouraged by President Barack Obama's nominees for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and his general leadership on the issue.
"The president's view is terribly important here because the government isn't going to build these plants -- the utilities are, and the rate payers are going to pay for them," he said. "It's up to the president and Congress to create an environment in which that can happen."
He said the quality of the appointees to the regulatory commission is "extremely high."
Sen. Alexander has long been a proponent of nuclear power and has called for the construction of 100 new nuclear plants.
smith gains endorsement
Former Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith, a candidate for Tennessee's 3rd Congressional District, has gained the endorsement of the conservative Club for Growth, her campaign reported.
"They understand I will defend the interests of the Third District against the economic assault Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama have launched on our working families," Mrs. Smith said in a statement.
Club for Growth President Chris Chocola called Mrs. a "pro-growth conservative hero."
Doctors present campaign contribution
Local representatives of the American College of Cardiology recently presented Dr. Chris Cates with a $5,000 contribution from the national organization's political action committee.
Dr. Cates is a cardiologist and small business owner from Blairsville, Ga., who officially entered the race for Georgia's 9th Congressional District in January.
Drs. John Poelhman, Gary Olson, Stephen Rohn, Bates Bailey, Ezad N. Ahmed and President and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System Jeff Myers presented the check to Dr. Cates for his 9th District Congressional campaign at the Dalton Heart Center.
twitter updates
Twitter is a social networking tool politicians often use to send updates to supporters. Here's what some local and state officials and candidates were saying this week.
* Rep. Wamp, Wednesday: "Others rambling on radio+spending big$ on TV. I am w/ the people,laying out vision+solutions to make Tenn an even better place to live+work."
* Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, GOP candidate for Tennessee governor, Friday: "Been busy week working to balance our state's budget w NO tax increases. Had several campaign events including two forums. Sumner Co. today."
* Mr. Haslam, Friday: "Thanks for all your comments on our initial ad -- we've just posted air times & details for today"
Compiled by staff writers Matt Wilson and Kelly Jackson.
E-mail Matt Wilson at mwilson@timesfreepress.com
E-mail Kelly Jackson at kjackson@timesfreepress.com
Bill Haslam is a shareholder in Pilot, a large shareholder. Pilot is a vendor of the state of Tennessee. Pilot is regulated by the state of Tennessee. As Governor leading the executive branch Bill Haslam will make regulatory policy overseeing agencies charged with that responsibility. There is a clear conflicts of interest. Both Haslam and Pilot should immediatley disclose all tax records so the public can see exactly what these conflicts represent in terms risk for taxpayers. To suggest Bill Haslam will recuse himself from potential conflicts is like asking the fat fox to guard the hen house.
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