My name is Steve Harrelson and I am the Republican Candidate for the 6th District Seat on the Loudon County Commission. I would love to have the opportunity to serve the fine citizens of my District for the next four years. I am a conservative Republican and will bring honesty and integrity to the Commission if elected. Please click on the links above and read more about me and my qualifications. I would truly appreciate your vote and support in the upcoming August 5th Election or during the early voting period.

About Me

My name is Steve Harrelson. I am currently the Director of the Lenoir City Parks and Recreation Department, a position that I have held for the last 23 years. I have been a resident of Lenoir City since 1983. My family relocated to this area when my father, Laderel Harrelson, became the Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Lenoir City. It was at First Baptist that I met my beautiful wife of 25 years. Ruthie Parris and I were married in 1984. She is the daughter of the late John Parris and Tootie Parris. We have been blessed with two wonderful children, Ty – Senior at U.T. and Aly – Full-time employee and part-time student at Pellissippi State.

I am a graduate of Hixson High School, Chattanooga (1981), and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1986), where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Recreation Administration. In December of 1987 I was hired by the City of Lenoir City to start a Parks and Recreation Department for the City. In my tenure here I have added many parks, facilities and programs to the City, some of which are: Town Creek Greenway, Wampler Keith Park, Lenoir City Pool and the Rockin’ The Docks events.

I have been a member of First Baptist Church, Lenoir City for the last 26 years where I have had the opportunity to serve on the Deacon Board and to work with our Youth Department for several years. I have always felt that the more we can work with and impact our children’s lives the better off they’ll be in life.

I have represented the 6th District of Loudon County by serving as their elected School Board Member. While serving on the board, I began to realize that we can only help our children as much as County Commission allows us. They are in control of funding the budget for the county schools. As I became increasingly unhappy with the lack of support the current 6th District Commissioner has for our kids and the furtherance of their education, I decided that I could do more for them as a County Commissioner than as a School Board member. That is why I am asking for your support and vote for County Commission in the 6th District of Loudon County.

Qualifications

Why do I feel like I am qualified to be a County Commissioner? I have asked that question to myself and thought back through my education, work history and political life for the answer. In listing my qualifications below, I hope that you will realize that I have the experience and knowledge to represent the citizens of our county as a commissioner.

• Bachelor of Science in Education from U.T. Knoxville, 1986
• Hired by Lenoir City in December 1987 to start a Parks and Recreation Department
• Built the P & R Department to one that is recognized state-wide
• Developed and managed city budgets for the last 23 years
• Dealt with personnel matters as they have arisen
• Developed plans and oversaw construction of several parks; Town Creek Greenway, Lenoir City Pool, Wampler Keith Park
• Began many new events for the Lenoir City area, such as Rockin’ The Docks
• Worked closely over the years with Mayors, City Councilmen, County Commissioners, School Board Members, State Representatives, Chambers of Commerce Reps
• Served as member of the Loudon County Visitors Bureau for the last 7 years
• Served on the Loudon County School Board since 2006
• Have obtained detail knowledge as a School Board member about how our school system works and functions
• Possess the customer service skills to deal cordially with the public and make them feel like they have a voice in the politics of Loudon County

With my education and experience, I feel like I am more than qualified to be our District’s Representative. This is why I hope that I can depend on you to support and vote for me in the upcoming primary and general elections.

Issues

Education

A good, solid education for all children in our county is of upmost importance to me. And having them learn in adequate facilities is vital too. While serving on the Loudon County School Board I have worked tirelessly to help put together a building plan that would best fit the needs of our county. After carefully studying two separate school facility studies, we have formed a plan that was put together in phases. Phase 1 would adequately address the county’s biggest needs at this time. The fate of Phase 1 is currently in the hands of county commission. I would like to have the opportunity to serve on the commission and help push this stalled process forward.

I have also become keenly aware in the last few years that our teachers are underpaid compared to other counties in the East Tennessee area. It is important to our school system to be in the position to hire top quality teachers and then be able to retain them for years to come. We need to bring our teacher’s salaries up to surrounding counties so we can keep our good teachers in Loudon County so they can educate our children.

Employee Benefits

I am in favor of keeping the county employee’s benefit package the same as it has always been. There has been a push the last few years to start making the employees pay for a part of their health insurance. During these tough economic times I would hate to see this happen and will not support this effort.

Emergency Services

It is important that the citizens of Loudon County have the best Police and Fire Protection available. The Loudon County Sheriff’s Department does an excellent job protecting our county with the resources they are provided. I would like to see that they are provided with the money and support to keep doing the job that is needed to protect the citizens of this great county.
Fire Protection is another area that is very important to the 6th District area. If elected, I would investigate all the issues surrounding fire protection for our end of the county and will do my best to make sure that our district is provided with the best possible services available.

Fiscal Responsibility

Probably the biggest challenge for the County Commission is providing a balanced budget each year that meets our needs but also stays within the confines of our revenue stream. If elected, I promise to treat our county’s budget as if it were my own, using my conservative background as a guide in developing and passing a balanced budget.

 

 

 

Election Information

Election Dates:
County General – August 5, 2010
Voting location for the 6th District – Highland Park School

Early Voting:
Early Voting Dates – July 16-31
Roane State Community College, 100 West Broadway, Lenoir City, TN 37771
Loudon County Office Building, 100 River Road, Loudon, TN 37774

How do I register to vote?
Whether you are a new voter or simply changing name or address, you may register for free by requesting a form from the Loudon County Election Commission office at 458-2560 or by picking up a form at the Election Commission office which is located at 100 River Road, Loudon, TN 37774. Remember to return your form no later than 30 days prior to the election!

If you are unable to acquire a registration form, contact me by phone or email and I will be glad to provide a form for you.

 

 

Contact Info

Steve Harrelson
827 Leeward Way
Lenoir City, TN 37772

Home Phone: 986-5211
E-mail: steveharrelson@charter.net