For County Commission

Our County Commission handles multimillion-dollar budgets. It also works with Chattanooga officials and others to attract big, job-creating developments such as the Volkswagen plant. So it is important that voters elect commissioners of intelligence and character who will carefully steward our tax dollars.

The Free Press makes these recommendations for County Commission in the Aug. 5 general election:

District 1: Fred Skillern

In District 1, Commissioner Fred Skillern is unopposed. That is understandable, because Mr. Skillern, owner of Dixie Souvenirs, has provided exemplary service on the commission and previously on the school board. He opposes undue spending and tax increases. We are pleased that his re-election is assured.

District 2: Fields, Cantrell

In District 2, Jim Fields surprised many back in May by defeating Commissioner Richard Casavant in the GOP primary. Mr. Fields faces independent candidate David Cantrell in the general election. Mr. Fields is an attorney. Mr. Cantrell is an airline pilot. Both are Navy veterans. Both say they would insist on the careful use of tax dollars and would promote education. With each candidate clearly bright and capable, and with each offering constructive ideas, we believe voters will be well-served whichever man is elected.

District 3: Jim Coppinger

In District 3, Commissioner Jim Coppinger, a former Chattanooga fire chief, is assured re-election because he faces no general election opposition. We believe he has served effectively and will continue to do so.

District 4: Warren Mackey

In District 4, Commissioner Warren Mackey, a professor at Chattanooga State, faces no opponent in the general election. While we have not agreed with all of his views, Commissioner Mackey has served his constituents faithfully and brings a cooperative spirit to his position.

District 5: Greg Beck

In District 5, Commissioner Greg Beck will return to his commission seat because he, too, is unopposed. Mr. Beck, formerly with the Sheriff's Department, is now a City Court officer. He also has commendably worked in youth ministries in the area. He deserves strong support.

District 6: Joe Graham

In District 6, incumbent Democrat Commissioner John Allen Brooks, an attorney, faces GOP challenger Joe Graham, a business owner in Lookout Valley. Commissioner Brooks has highlighted his efforts to bring more state education funds to Hamilton County. We have differed with Mr. Brooks at times, however, such as on his belief that the city of Chattanooga should buy Tennessee-American Water Co. He represents a relatively liberal viewpoint. Mr. Graham, who owns Accent Printing, says he wants to focus on fighting crime, improving education and creating jobs. We believe Mr. Brooks has served with good intentions, but we recommend the election of Mr. Graham.

District 7: Larry Henry

In District 7, Commissioner Larry Henry is unopposed. Mr. Henry, former owner of Stacy Oil Co., holds soundly conservative positions on the issues, including his opposition to forced annexation of county land by the city of Chattanooga. We are glad to endorse him.

District 8: Boyd, Smith

In District 8, four men are vying to be commissioner after incumbent Curtis Adams left the position for a job in Crossville, Tenn. They are Republican Tim Boyd, Democrat Kenny Smith (who is leaving his school board position), and independents Terry Turner and Jim Winters. Mr. Boyd and Mr. Smith seem to have attracted the most attention. Mr. Smith has raised far and away the most money, including tens of thousands of dollars from trade unions.

Mr. Boyd, of East Ridge, is co-owner of Southeast Carpenters, where he is a project engineer. Mr. Smith, of Chattanooga, is training director for the Chattanooga Electrical Apprenticeship Program. Mr. Boyd said he wants to bring a careful approach to budgeting and focus on economic development and education. Mr. Smith, whose school board work gives him broad knowledge of the school system and how it is funded by the commission, also wants to work on education and economic development.

We believe the county will benefit no matter which man is elected.

District 9: Chester Bankston

In District 9, another school board member, Republican Chester Bankston, is seeking the commission seat being vacated by Bill Hullander, who will become county trustee. Mr. Bankston, an electrical contractor, is unopposed in the general election. He has been a conservative voice on the school board, and we are pleased to endorse his candidacy.

Now it's up to voters. Choose well!

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