sadler2006

Candidate for District 5 Seat A

2006-04-15T14:38:00.000-04:00

Background:

FHS Class of 88
Sr Class President

West Point Class of 92
5 Years in U.S. Army as Tank Commander
Career in sales and marketing at Procter & Gamble, Pfizer and the Ellison Group

The most important role for a commissioner is to represent the will of the voters. Knox County has one of the highest property taxes in the State of Tennessee because previous commissioners have rubber stamped the agenda of a few powerful people.

These rubber stamp commissioners stood by while the City of Knoxville pushed the school system, the library system, and the jail system to Knox County. The City of Knoxville sewer system was pushed off to the Knoxville Utilities Board. Of course this made our Knox County property taxes go up dramatically. The City of Knoxville should have been able to keep property taxes low in the City after forcing all this debt to the County but history shows us that is not what happened.

The City of Knoxville dramatically raised the City property taxes and went on a spending spree building the Knoxville Convention Center, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and even tried to force the people of Knox County to pay for a downtown hotel which was only defeated by a referendum vote. As if that was not enough the City and County considered crazy ideas like putting the World’s Fair Park under a glass dome. Both the Knoxville City Council and Knox County Commission voted on and approved Universe Knoxville, a downtown Planetarium that would cost over 55 million dollars. The only reason Universe Knoxville wasn’t built is that the idea was so poor that the bonds could not be approved. Is this the kind of government people want?

Why should anyone believe Metro government would be less costly when history shows us that in Knox County consolidation only brings less representation and higher property taxes?

Unlike most businesses, consolidation of government rarely translates into real savings. In fact, this consolidation creates a more powerful entity, and our history bears out that as government gains power, it’s thirst for self-growth and money only multiplies. Businesses, on the other hand, have the opposite pull. They are driven by a profit motive. Hence, when businesses consolidate, they trim staff and sell off assets.

I will stand and deliver for the people of Knox County. I will not be a rubber stamp for any get rich quick schemes like the Knoxville Convention Center or Universe Knoxville. I will not allow any backroom deals that cost taxpayers higher property taxes just to benefit a select few.

I’m for successful development like Turkey Creek – driven by private interests and not done at the expense of the taxpayers to support a select few. I’m pro-business and pro-development, and I believe in the “invisible hand” of the market as described by Adam Smith. Successful ideas and business practices will succeed on their own merit. Businesses and developers do not need favors from the government to be successful and the remarkable success of Turkey Creek proves it.

My views

2006-04-15T13:41:00.000-04:00

I am a Teddy Roosevelt Republican

I will defend the Constitution

I am pro business responsible growth and development

I believe Property Rights are a moral issue

I oppose Metro Government

District 5 shouldn’t suffer for Knoxville’s spending mistakes

3 Priorities When Elected

2006-04-15T13:10:00.000-04:00

1) Keep local government on a budget, hold tax rates at current levels and tie tax growth to economic and population growth (growth of taxes should NOT outpace economic growth) - make government more efficient and keep more money in taxpayers pockets so the "invisible hand" of the market has more money to move and spur economic growth. Look to the North and South - GA and KY pay more taxes and are NOT better places to live. Republicans and Democrats alike have both proven they can spend every penny you give them. Keep government on a budget.

2) Stop abuse of property rights by the local government - government should not take away property to give to developers. Property Rights are a moral issue. KCDC has abused and continues to run roughshod over the rights of disadvantaged property owners and politicians either support it or look the other way. We have started down a dangerous slippery slope. As government power grows unchecked, its abuses will become more flagrant. A local government in Southern California voted to seize a Southern Baptist church to make way for condos. Who will be next in Knoxville?

3) Continue strong emphasis on law enforcement. Pass more resources to Sheriff Hutchinson - he is doing an excellent job. The #1 role of government is the security of its citizens. Security helps breed prosperity. Don't take a chance on losing ground when things are going well - for the most part.