2011 Political Races

County Executive

Don Edwards

Other

Profession: Educator

Education: Wartburg Central High School 1976; Bachelor of Science Degree, Tennessee Technological University, 1981; Master of Arts Degree, Tennessee Technological University, 1997.

Family: Don’s bride of twenty-three years is Donita. Their children and grandchildren are Zackery, Daryl and Carey, Dalton, Dawson, Holly, Dustin, Colton, Tagan , Dana, and Cody. Don’s parents, J. D. and Neva Edwards of Wartburg, are deceased.

Experience: County Commissioner, Wartburg District

Why Running: I feel there is a need for some common-sense leadership in our county government that begins looking out for the needs of the men and women who pay the bills of our government, the taxpayer. Many of our local politicians get nervous when someone talks about giving the taxpayer a voice when it comes to spending their money. I want to make sure that our citizens have the opportunity to provide feedback when their government is considering spending large sums of tax payer revenues or are contemplating borrowing money for capital projects. I will be the Morgan County Executive that will listen to the concerns and suggestions of the tax payer. No longer will anyone have to say “it doesn’t matter what I think, they will do whatever they want anyway.” I will be the Morgan County Executive that’s on the side of our citizens to make sure their voice is heard!

Top Issue Beliefs: The top issue is of course, jobs. Our unemployment rate is right at 13%. Thirteen out of every one hundred Morgan Countians are looking for a job. That’s unacceptable! It’s unacceptable because we can do better. We need a county government that makes business and industry recruitment, along with supporting our existing businesses, the number one priority! Everything we do in our county should be toward employment expansion and government transparency. I am ready to work with every government agency, every business leader, every volunteer agency, every concerned citizen, to see that our children and grandchildren have a better Morgan County to live in. My fellow Morgan Countians, I would love to discuss any issue that is important to you. Please call or come see me. Christ’s blessings to you and your family.

Becky Ruppe

Other

Profession: Current County Executive

Education: Graduate of Oakdale School, attended Roane State, Graduate of Tennessee Basic Economic Development from the University of Tennessee Institute of Public Service, Additional Training Includes: Enrollee of the County Officials Certificate Training Program, County Mayor Leadership Program, County Operating Budget, Ethics, County Revenue, Economic Development for Mayors, Planning, Domestic Preparedness through Tennessee Emergency Management, numerous NIMS classes through FEMA and countless other training seminars provided by Rural Development, Homeland Security, and TVA Economic Development.

Family: Daughter of the late Rev. Harold Jones and Inez Powers Jones. Married to Darrell Christmas, one son Rex, one daughter Ashley, two granddaughters and one grandson all of Oakdale.

Organizations: Member of: Piney Baptist Church, Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, Morgan County Medical Board, Cattleman’s Association, National Association of Counties Public Safety and Justice, Mountain Valley Economic Authority, Chair of the East Tennessee Human Resources and East Tennessee Development District, President for the Association of County Mayors for Tennessee, former member of the UT Extension Advisory Council.

Experience: School Board- six years, County Executive- six years, Finance Chair, Commission Chair, employed by County in many capacities: Litter Prevention & Recycling, Jail Administrator, Domestic Violence Grant Coordinator for the 9th Judicial District, Assistant to County Executive.

Why Running: We have a proven record of being fiscally conservative and have an open door policy that welcomes every single Morgan Countian regardless of who they are or where they live. We have the lowest tax rate in the county’s history and have brought in literally millions of dollars in grant funds. Action speaks a lot louder than words. Because of strong fiscal responsibility, we are doing much better financially than a lot of counties our size. We have not only a vision for the future but have done the hard work it takes to go with it to make it reality. When you work together there is no issue now or future that can