Let’s focus on the residents of District 8.

PROTECTING OUR WAY OF LIFE.

District 8 is, first of all, for the citizens of District 8.

Its rural character and way of life make District 8 a desirable place to live. Families and family farms have existed in this district for the past 200 years - or more. Traditional churches have been the center of community life and church and family cemeteries are where our ancestors repose.

PROTECTING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.

Forest, soil and water are the natural resources of District 8. 

It only took about ten thousand years for the environment to make our soil. And, about 400 hundred years to make our forest. The forests have provided homes (and whiskey barrels); the soil provides our food. Ninety percent of the world's food comes from small farms. That has been the case in Knox County. In my lifetime, the percentage of the food that we eat, that is grown here, has severely declined (zucchini doesn't count). The nutritional content has also declined.

THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF OUR DISTRICT ARE BEST USED TO NOURISH THE CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY.

PROMOTING PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Tennessee is 47th in the nation in what it spends per child for education. But, we don’t make much money, we are 42nd in the nation in per capita income. The most effective public education is in a state that spends 4.35 percent of its per capita income on public education. We only spend 3.28 percent of our income on public education.

We must do better for our children.

Secure Medical Services for Our Community.

Despite living close to a medical hub, the rural parts of District 8 need better access to all sorts of medical services including emergency care, physical therapy, treatment for children and women’s healthcare services.

We must improve access to medical care.