Hamilton County is fortunate to have many bright and capable individuals seeking County Commission seats. We make the following recommendations in the May 4 primaries:
District 1: Fred Skillern
Incumbent Republican Commissioner Fred Skillern has broad experience in government and the private sector. He is owner of Dixie Souvenirs Inc., which he co-founded in 1963. It distributes imported and U.S.-made goods. Mr. Skillern served 20 years on the Hamilton County Board of Education prior to his commission service, which began in 2001. He has been involved in civic activities as well, and he served in the Army.
Commissioner Skillern, of Soddy-Daisy, brings a sound, conservative philosophy to the commission and will continue to oppose unwise tax increases and careless spending.
His opponent in the Republican primary, Laura Oakley, is engaging and involved. But Mr. Skillern’s experience and stewardship recommend him for re-election. The winner will face no Democrat opponent in the general election in August.
District 2: Richard Casavant
Incumbent Richard Casavant has capably served his constituents. Dr. Casavant is a professor and administrator in the respected UTC College of Business. He was on the Signal Mountain Town Council prior to being elected to the commission. He is also an Air Force veteran.
Dr. Casavant’s opponent in the Republican primary is attorney Jim Fields. Mr. Fields, a Navy veteran, is obviously bright and informed. We do not, however, see any reason to end Dr. Casavant’s worthy service, and we recommend that District 2 voters choose him. (The winner will face independent candidate David Cantrell in the August general election.)
District 3: Jim Coppinger
It is not surprising that incumbent Commissioner Jim Coppinger faces no opposition in his Republican primary or in the general election in August. He has served effectively in his first term on the commission.
Commissioner Coppinger joined the Chattanooga Fire Department in 1977 and became fire chief in 1997, serving well. He has since retired. He deserves enthusiastic re-election.
District 4: Warren Mackey
Incumbent Democrat Commissioner Warren Mackey also faces no opposition either in his primary election race or in the August general election — and for good reason. He is respected by constituents for his steady work on the commission, and he is a gentleman of fine character. A native of Chattanooga, Dr. Mackey is a professor of history at Chattanooga State Technical Community College. He is involved in numerous Christian and civic activities.
Dr. Mackey’s only opponent for the seat was Debbie Gaines. She recently dropped out, though her name will still be on the primary ballot.
We recommend Dr. Mackey for continued good service.
District 5: Greg Beck
The Democrat primary in District 5 offers a contest between two well-motivated, able and highly respected candidates: incumbent Commissioner Greg Beck and challenger Dr. Bernie Miller.
Commissioner Beck, a Chattanooga native, attended Howard High School, Zion College, Chattanooga State and Grace Baptist Bible School. He worked 16 years at Combustion Engineering and later with Inner City Ministries. He also has served as executive director of the Bethlehem Community Center. Commissioner Beck served nine years in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.
His Democrat opponent, Dr. Miller, is founder and pastor of New Covenant Fellowship Church in Chattanooga. He is also extensively involved in the community.
But Commissioner Beck has served his constituents soundly and thus deserves re-election, with no disrespect for Dr. Miller. The winner will face no GOP opponent in August.
District 6: John Allen Brooks, Joe Graham
Democrat incumbent Commissioner John Allen Brooks has no opponent in the May primary, and neither does challenger Joe Graham in the GOP primary.
Mr. Brooks is a Chattanooga attorney. Mr. Graham owns Accent Printing in Lookout Valley. They will meet in the August general election.
District 7: Larry Henry
Commissioner Larry Henry has served with a conservative, cooperative spirit and is a careful steward of taxpayer dollars.
A former owner of Stacy Oil Co., Mr. Henry’s extensive civic involvement has included the Chamber of Commerce, the Hamilton Place Rotary Club, the East Hamilton County Ruritan Club and other organizations. He went to Tyner High School, UTC and Covington Seminary.
Commissioner Henry sensibly opposes city annexation of any area of the county unless residents of that area agree to be annexed.
His opponent is fellow Republican Gordon Anderson, an enrollment consultant and manager for Unum. Mr. Anderson presents his views well, is informed and capable, and has the best of intentions in running, but Commissioner Henry deserves re-election on the strength of his prior, commendable service.
The winner will face no Democrat opposition in the August general election.
District 8: Tim Boyd, Kenny Smith
In the Republican primary in District 8, there is no incumbent because Commissioner Curtis Adams is retiring. That creates an interesting race between Tim Boyd and Jack Martin.
We recommend Mr. Boyd, with no disrespect toward Mr. Martin.
Mr. Boyd, an East Ridge native, is co-owner of Southeast Carpenters, where he is a project engineer. He spearheaded the most recent Tennessee Aquarium construction renovation. Mr. Boyd brings a conservative, business approach that would serve the county well. We believe he would be extremely cautious before approving any tax increase, and that he would oppose wasteful spending.
Mr. Martin is a former TVA engineer and now runs a home inspection business. He, too, is a conservative.
But Mr. Boyd’s strong business background recommends him for election in the primary. The winner will face Democrat Kenny Smith, a current school board member, as well as independents Terry Turner and Jim Winters in the August general election.
District 9: Chester Bankston
Three bright, qualified men seek the District 9 seat in the Republican primary, because incumbent Commissioner Bill Hullander is seeking the position of county trustee. They are Chester Bankston, Gary Neil and Richard Tornquist. (John Turner has dropped out, but his name still will be on the ballot.)
Mr. Bankston is a school board member who has decided to seek the commission seat. He has extensive experience in the school system, having retired from a maintenance position with the system in 2006. He is an electrical contractor as well. Mr. Bankston has acted wisely and with an eye for spending money carefully and effectively during his time on the school board.
Mr. Neil owns and runs an electrical contracting business and is on the board of the electrical apprenticeship school.
Mr. Tornquist, a retired energy management technician for Rutgers University, previously served as a council member and mayor of Franklin Township, N.J.
Both Mr. Neil and Mr. Tornquist are well-spoken, intelligent and grounded in conservative principles.
But Mr. Bankston’s sensible approach and his broad knowledge of major issues that the commission will be facing recommend him. The winner faces no opposition in the general election.
We applaud the dedicated individuals who are seeking commission seats this year.