From the Maryville Daily Times -Guide to the 2022 Blount County Primary & Rockford City Election - Candidate Profiles
Candidate profiles are useful and we appreciate the Maryville Daily Times offering this service. Candidate profiles help us to know the candidates a little better and possibly research them further.
Here are two Blount County Commission candidate profiles that appear to not really know Blount County. Also, it is kind of interesting how some of the candidates really, really have to emphasize how they were born, raised, and lived their whole lives in Blount County. That is not a bad thing but it is also not bad to have lived other places where a person might get a sense of other successful communities.
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District 2, Seat A
Mike Akard
Affiliation:Republican
Incumbent
Mr. Akard does not seem to represent all the citizens in his district. He appears to only want to represent those citizens who have his same beliefs. Whereas his opponent, Tracey Farr, appears to be willing to work "with people that have different ideas." She goes on to say, "Approaching conflicts as potential opportunities can help me work with many leaders so we can keep our focus grounded and lead this community in paced and smart growth with very diverse populations in mind.”
Why are you running for this position?
Mr. Akard: “I’m a native Blount Countian with conservative values... Our low property tax rates are extremely appealing. Local residents typically support conservative Republicans 3:1 to continue improving Blount County without the pitfalls of Democrat-run communities. I have been working with conservative officials building on a common-sense, fiscally responsible, pay-as-we-go plan to continue building a better Blount County. Current fuel prices nationwide are a perfect example of what happens with Democrats in charge.”
What relevant experience do you have?
Mr. Akard: “Unlike my opponent’s party, Republicans believe in fiscal responsibility and know how to get things done efficiently.
...
What makes you different from the other candidates for office?
Mr. Akard: “Red state conservative values vs. Blue state liberalism. Local Democratic Party is advertising and sponsoring candidates for nearly every office in Blount County. 2020 local election was 72 percent Republican vs 27 percent Democrat and we’ve all seen the horrific national results from Democrat rule since 2020. I’m encouraging every Republican to get out to vote to continue traditional Blount County conservative values and properly serve taxpayers with proven ‘pay-as-we-go’ progress for Blount County while incurring no new debt and continuing successes like Tennessee’s annual State Audits showing no findings 7 of last 9 years (unprecedented). I will vote Republican.”
Mr. Akard attended the protests in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021. Even though the election was held on November 3, 2020, with two months of audits and recounts, it appears Mr. Akard still did not believe the presidential election results. He says he did not participate in the insurrection but he says he did chant "traitor" at those (Washington D.C. Police? Capitol Police?) trying to protect the Capitol from insurrectionists.
A little more history on Mr. Akard from the Maryville Daily Times.
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District 4, Seat C
Josh Sullins
Affiliation:Republican
What makes you different from the other candidates for
office?
Mr. Sullins: “I can’t speak for other candidates, but I will say of myself that I’m one of the younger candidates. I see my youth as an advantage to the diversity of the commission with the potential to add a distinct perspective. To me, this isn’t a legacy position or position to fill retirement time. It’s a chance for me to directly serve the citizens of my county with youth, endurance, and proven leadership skills. With the above said, I hold the utmost respect for senior members of public service and don’t want that misconstrued in any way.”
Youth is not necessarily an advantage. Besides, the median age for a Blount County resident is 44 years old. Nearly 30% of Blount County residents of voting age are 60 years old or older. But, heh, he has the "utmost respect for senior members of public service." I would hope so. The Blount County Mayor is no spring chicken. In addition, what is wrong with someone working their whole lives then being willing and able to give back to the community.
Topics:
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Discussing
- Blount County coronavirus cases at 39,189 as of 4/23/2022 (1 reply)
- Blount County coronavirus cases at 39,079 as of 4/2/2022 (1 reply)
- Blount County coronavirus cases at 38,344 as of 2/12/2022 (1 reply)
- Blount County coronavirus cases at 33,274 as of 1/22/2022 (2 replies)
- Blount County coronavirus cases at 26,253 as of 1/03/2022 (1 reply)
- Blount Memorial at record high for COVID-19 hospitalizations (1 reply)
- Blount County coronavirus cases nearly 16,000 as of 07/12/2021 (3 replies)
- Blount County coronavirus pandemic numbers (2 replies)
- The City of Alcoa's uncontrolled and costly development (2 replies)
- Alcoa City Schools opened Wednesday, July 22nd (1 reply)
- Krystal on Alcoa Hwy near the Airport has closed (1 reply)
- Alcoa Hwy - Hunt Road Interchange Redesign (1 reply)
TN Progressive
- Friday Toons (RoaneViews)
- Tell All the Trump Gossip Books Are Dropping Like Cow Poop (RoaneViews)
- Quote of the Day (RoaneViews)
- Toons (RoaneViews)
- Springbrook Farm development continues at a slow pace with a high cost (BlountViews)
- Joani Shaver and what she gives to the Senior Community in Blount County (BlountViews)
- Blount County coronavirus cases at 39,189 as of 4/23/2022 (BlountViews)
- Electric Vehicle Earth Day Event - Wed. April 20, 2022 (BlountViews)
- You asked for it and are you going to get it! (Left Wing Cracker)
- A waste of the TNDP's time is at hand. Let's not do this, shall we? (Left Wing Cracker)
- Komatsu and Oyama Remembered (Joe Powell)
- Where we are Earth Day 2021 (Whitescreek Journal)
TN Politics
- Registry of Election Finance declines to investigate Rep. Sherrell’s fire-hall checks (TN Lookout)
- With 21 public defender vacancies in Shelby County, chief pleads for more funding (TN Lookout)
- State Supreme Court overturns lower courts, approves governor’s education savings account program (TN Lookout)
- 6th Circuit shoots down immunity for TVA coal ash spill contractor Jacobs Engineering (TN Lookout)
- Supreme Court finds Lee’s school voucher program doesn’t violate home rule protections (TN Journal)
- Getting soaked. (TN Lookout)
- Tyson Foods wrote draft of Trump order keeping meatpacking plants open during pandemic (TN Lookout)
- Longtime Tennessee GOP lawyer John Ryder dies (TN Journal)
- New TNJ edition alert: The Cameron Sexton interview (TN Journal)
- Judge denies Starbuck’s effort to be put back on 5th District ballot (TN Journal)
- Model legislation group wants Lee to veto disclosure rules for dark money spending (TN Journal)
- Ogles camp announces $453K haul for 5th District bid in first 30 days (TN Journal)
Knox TN Today
- Just don’t trickle down my leg (Knox TN Today)
- Ex-exchange student, children relocating from Ukraine (Knox TN Today)
- Sacred Ground hospice: A place for living (Knox TN Today)
- Operation Inasmuch to send 250,000 meals to Ukraine (Knox TN Today)
- Somewhere along a high road (Knox TN Today)
- Softball team starts right at home (Knox TN Today)
- Rountree thanks inspiring mentor (Knox TN Today)
- PSCC student ‘sees’ calculus differently (Knox TN Today)
- Food City gives back (Knox TN Today)
- Miss Libby’s Arts and Crafts Tent steals the show (Knox TN Today)
- The Zoo could use your yard trimmings (Knox TN Today)
- Holston Hills Garden Club Sale is Saturday (Knox TN Today)
Local TV News
- A few strong to severe storms possible today (WBIR)
- Firefighters work Fountain City house fire (WATE)
- Six-year-old Tennessee baseball fan goes all out at games (WBIR)
- More than half the inmates at a Roane County jail are being quarantined after COVID-19 outbreak (WBIR)
- Man remembers friend killed at Lenoir City home (WATE)
- Farragut baseball wins region championship with a walk-off RBI double (WBIR)
- Wife of fallen Knox Co. deputy visits national memorial in his honor (WATE)
- 25 Knoxville elementary students become published authors (WATE)
- Knox County Regional Forensic Center identifies body of woman who disappeared in 1998 (WBIR)
- Fun facts about the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville (WATE)
- Two Florida men sentenced in TN for telemedicine pharmacy fraud (WATE)
- 'You can't be impulsive in this time' | Knox County mom stays ahead of finances despite inflation (WBIR)
News Sentinel
- This rural Tennessee county was a vaccine success story. Not anymore. (KNS News)
- After Buffalo shooting, I thought, "Will I be next?" Racial trauma is real | Opinion (KNS Opinion)
- Finding 'drive-thru redemption' at a burger joint with the man behind the counter | Column (KNS Opinion)
- Legislation sends heartbreaking message to transgender children, their families | Opinion (KNS Opinion)
- Leaders run toward the challenges of a changing environment (KNS Business)
- How the biggest World's Fair attraction got to Knoxville with help from a local architect (KNS Business)
- Naomi Judd faced demons and angels in the glare of celebrity | Terry Mattingly (KNS News)
- 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denies immunity in coal ash cleanup for TVA contractor Jacobs Engineering (KNS News)
- Check out the biggest concerts and comedians coming to Knoxville this summer (KNS News)
- Jay Graham coaching middle school football at Concord Christian School in Farragut (KNS News)
- Southern rural hospitals face uncertain post-pandemic future (KNS News)
- Learn about and preserve Nashville's rich Native American history | Opinion (KNS Opinion)
- United Way initiative created to meet community's most pressing needs | Opinion (KNS Opinion)
- Knoxville Biz Ticker: RAM's free 2-day clinic set for this weekend (KNS Business)
State News
- Shooting kills one, injures another after Riverdale High graduation at MTSU's Murphy Center (Tennessean)
- From anti-skullduggery to new candidates: What to know about Nashville's open state Senate seat (Tennessean)
- 'Amazing': The Academy entrepreneur program hosts largest graduation yet in Nashville (Tennessean)
- Tennessee license plate picks: Do Nashville drivers trust in God? (Tennessean)
- Overton Park golf course renovation puts Junior Open back in the swing (Commercial Appeal)
- Starter, reserve role or trade? The Memphis Grizzlies have a Dillon Brooks decision to make (Commercial Appeal)
- The Attack - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- Tennessee Supreme Court rules in favor of Gov. Bill Lee's controversial school voucher program (Commercial Appeal)
- What's in the MSCS $1.9B budget? Funding for new school buildings plan in limbo (Commercial Appeal)
- Chattanooga emergency personnel honored during National EMS Week - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- Chattanooga's free tree program gets renewed funding - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
- Teresa Caro named president of Chattanooga's biggest advertising agency - Chattanooga Times Free Press (Times Free Press)
Local .GOV
- Seeking Yoga Instructors (Knox County)
- Knox County to Hold First-Ever Spring Festival with Lawn Games (Knox County)
- Sunset Yoga to take place at Rocky Point (Knox County)
- Mayor Jacobs: Knox County Splash Pads to Open Friday (Knox County)
- Chris Hurley Earns Teammate of the Month Honor (Knox County)
- Black Maternal Health Week | April 10 - 21 (Knox County)
Wire Reports
- Dow Jones Futures Fall After Target-Led Sell-Off; Market Rally Has 90% Chance Of Doing This - Investor's Business Daily (Business)
- Dems stand back and watch Chuck and Joe show - POLITICO (US News)
- Amid baby formula shortage, mothers express fear, one receiving product from Mexico - Fox News (US News)
- Google's Russia unit to file for bankruptcy as bank account of Google's Russian subsidiary seized - WION (Business)
- Texas Toddler Sneaks Into Mom’s DoorDash, Orders Up An Epic Meal - HuffPost (Business)
- One shot dead, another critical after high school graduation at MTSU: 'It's just tragic' - WZTV (US News)
- Cathie Wood has a simple response to Tesla getting booted out of an S&P 500 ESG index: ‘Ridiculous’ - MarketWatch (Business)
- 911 Dispatcher May Be Fired Over Handling of Buffalo Shooting Call - The New York Times (US News)
- House passes $28 million in emergency funding to address baby formula shortage - CNN (US News)
- Pennsylvania Senate race between Oz, McCormick could be headed for recount - WKRC TV Cincinnati (US News)
- Tesla's Musk says he 'can no longer support' Democrats, 'will vote Republican' - Reuters (Business)
- Oregon romance writer’s alleged slip-up confession to husband’s killing never happened, former bunkmate says - OregonLive (US News)
- Kemp holding large lead over Perdue in Georgia governor race: Fox News poll - The Hill (US News)
- The Fed has made it clear they do not have a put on the stock market, says Guggenheim's Minerd - CNBC Television (Business)
- Target stock drops after weak earnings report - USA TODAY (Business)
Local area websites:
Blount DemsMC Democrats
Raven Society
League of Women Voters
Wendy Pitts Reeves
Stop Alcoa Parkway
KnoxViews
Knox Dems
RoaneViews
TennViews
TN Clean Water Network
TN Dems
Government websites:
Blount CountyCity of Alcoa
City of Maryville
State of Tennessee
TN Code Annotated
TN General Assembly
UT CTAS
UT MTAS
Media websites:
Maryville Daily TimesKnox News Sentinel